Kodak Lens Vision Centres Myopia Control Services
What is myopia?
Myopia, also known as nearsighted, is a type of refractive error that causes blurry vision in the distance. In order to see clearly, light entering the eye must focus on the retina. Myopia will develop and progress if the eye grows longer and/or if the eye focuses the image in front of the retina. Myopia is a common condition that affects 25% of the North American population and is more common in those with Asian ethnicity. Myopia is not a disease, but rather an eye focusing disorder.
Myopia can be treated with visual aids including glasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery.
Myopia in Children
What’s the risk of high myopia?
What is Myopia Control?
Myopia control encompasses a group of treatment methods that have been scientifically studied and proven to effectively slow down the progression of myopia in children. Unfortunately, there are currently no methods that can completely stop the progression. Treatment effect ranges between 14-63% which varies by method. These treatments achieve this by creating unique visual conditions which facilitate a slower progression of myopia as the child continues to grow. A combination of methods may be required in order to achieve adequate control.
During the consultation, your optometrist will discuss all treatment options with you. Together, you will decide which treatment method is best based on the findings during the examination, your child’s lifestyle, convenience, and cost.
What are the Treatment Options?
Option # 1: Low Dose Atropine Eye Drops
Off-label use of low dose atropine eye drops have been found in several studies to reduce the progression of myopia by 50%, on average. Applied once a day, atropine treatment is continued as long as myopia progression continues. This treatment is commonly used in conjunction with single vision or myopia control eyeglasses to enhance the myopia control effect.
Option # 2: Myopia Control Daily Disposable Soft Contact Lenses
Option #3: Orthokeratology
Option #4: Myopia Control Spectacle Lenses (MiYOSMART or STELLEST)
Atropine | MySight 1 Day | Ortho K | MiYOSMART & STELLEST | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Regimen | Every Night | At least 6 days per week, 10 hours per day | Every Night | Full time wear during waking hours |
Initial Fitting Cost | N/A | Contact Us for Quote | Contact Us for Quote | N/A |
Initial Fitting Period | N/A | 2-4 weeks | 3 months | N/A |
Treatment Cost | Contact Us for Quote | Contact Us for Quote | Contact Us for Quote | Contact Us for Quote |
Follow-up | Every 6 months | Every 6 months | Every 6 months | Every 6 months |
More Info | Cost Effective | Relatively easy to handle | Can see without correction during the day | Cost effective and easy to administer |
Understanding Nearsightedness in Children
Causes of Nearsightedness and How to Slow Myopia
How Do I Start Myopia Control?
A full comprehensive eye examination must be completed by the eye doctor to determine whether you or your child are a good myopia control candidate. If you are interested in myopia control and do not have a regular optometrist, you are welcome to see one of our great doctors.
If you are a candidate, our Optometrist will prescribe and supervise an individualized myopia control program for your specific needs. Myopia control starts with you, the parent and/or guardian. 75-90% of classroom learning occurs through vision. When a child’s vision is not performing optimally, learning and participation in activities is affected. Children are not likely to recognize their own problems with vision, which is why annual check ups with your optometrist beginning at 6 months of age are so important.
What you Need to Know?
Myopia can start at an early age and rapidly progress until age of 17. New studies show that myopia progression can continue between 20 to 30, but at a slower rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) about 5,000,000,000 people (50% of the world’s expected population) will be myopic (nearsighted) by year 2050 and approximately 1 billion will be a highly myopic. People with high myopia are at much higher risk of developing eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, early cataract, and myopic macular degeneration later on in life.
All children and young adults should have annual eye exams and any kids with myopia of -0.25 or more should be monitored for progression. Remember, eye health exams are covered under Ontario Health until the age of 19 with a valid health card.
Monitoring myopia progression and starting myopia control early on can lead to optimal results. An effective option is Orthokeratology, also known as corneal reshaping. Ortho K lenses control the peripheral hyperopic defocus which is the cause of elongation of the eyeball and therefore progression of myopia. Ortho K or soft contact lenses can be the best option for myopia control, but pharmaceutical agents and special eyeglasses can be considered when the child or parents are not ready for contact lenses. When we fit contact lenses, we will teach them how to use and handle them safely. We have had many patients of all ages learn how to use and benefit from contact lenses through our experienced fitting and contact lens services.
Lifestyle changes can also help slow down the progression of myopia. Studies have shown that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop myopia early on. Receiving myopia treatment and being monitored by our Optometrist regularly will help guide lifestyle changes. We recommend to reduce unnecessary close work, taking breaks during close work activities, reduced screen time, and spending more time doing outdoor activities.
Visit Us Today!
All of our Optometrists are experienced in myopia diagnosis, management, and treatment.
We take the time to educate your family on the options so you can make the best decision for your child. Our eye care team and Optometrists are happy to provide custom myopia control services that help your child’s visual needs.
Please visit us at any of our KODAK Lens Vision Centres located in Toronto & Greater Toronto Area.
Accelerated Orthokeratology (AOK), a Myopia Control Solution
Have you ever wondered if Myopia can be treated without glasses and contact lenses?
Free yourself from the requirement for glasses and contact lenses without the requirement for surgery!
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K for short, is a special non-surgical vision correction procedure. Ortho-K uses special contact lenses that are worn each night during sleep to gently reshape the cornea and correct your vision.
The cornea is the clear front surface of your eye. It bends light as it enters your eye in order for you to see. If the cornea is not the exact right shape, images will be blurry and you may need visual correction, like glasses, to see clearly. Ortho-K lenses gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. When you wake up, you will take out the Ortho-K lenses and be able to see clearly during the daytime without wearing any glasses or conventional soft contact lenses!
Many people with mild to moderate nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism, may benefit from the use of Ortho-K lenses. If you stop wearing the lenses, your eyes will return to their original shape. Since Ortho-K lenses are only worn at night, the risks are minimal and patients can discontinue at any time without adverse effects. The use of Ortho-K lenses does not rule out LASIK or other surgical vision correction options in the future.
In addition, Ortho-K is a proven treatment for Myopia Control. In many studies, Ortho-K has been shown to reduce the progression of nearsightedness in children or teenagers with myopia by at least 49%.
Ortho-K consultations and fittings are available at KODAK Lens | Broadview Eyecare, KODAK Lens | Woodbine Eyecare, KODAK Lens | Parkway Eyecare, and KODAK Lens | Centerpoint Eyecare. Specialized equipment is used to map your cornea so a custom lens can be built for you.
Speak with our optometrists to discover if you are a good candidate for Orthokeratology.
Do you know the impact myopia has on the world?
More than 50% of the global population will develop myopia by 2050.
What you can do about nearsightedness (Myopia):
Catching and treating myopia early can slow its progression, reducing the severity of myopia and in turn reducing the associated risk of developing these more serious eye conditions. Our Optometrists understand the importance of keeping myopia under control. There are many current treatment options available:
- Multifocal Spectacles
- Orthokeratology (ortho-K)
- Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses
- Atropine
Slowing myopia progression can significantly reduce the risk of myopia-related complications and vision loss later in life.
- High levels of myopia can lead to substantial vision loss due to axial elongaton
- Myopia significantly increases the risk of retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy
- Even low myopia levels are associated with an increased prevalence of glaucoma and cataracts