Myopia is a significant public health concern worldwide, as it can cause serious eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.
Various therapeutic approaches have been developed to slow myopia progression, including optical interventions and pharmaceutical management with atropine. Moreover, lifestyle factors such as increased time outdoors and reduced near work are also believed to reduce myopia development and progression.
Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology is a myopia control option that uses special gas-permeable lenses that reshape the cornea while you sleep. This treatment can reduce or even stop myopia progression and is a safe, noninvasive method of myopia control.
In addition, orthokeratology can help patients avoid the adverse side effects of wearing contact lenses during the day, such as dry eyes. However, it is more expensive than a regular contact lens fitting and requires a series of visits to an eye care expert near East Brunswick, NJ.
The effectiveness of orthokeratology in slowing myopia progression is well established. It is one of the most effective myopia control strategies available and has been shown to slow myopic progression by 36-56% compared to spectacle or contact lens wearers.
Soft Contact Lenses
Soft multifocal contact lenses provide a relatively safe, effective, and affordable option for myopia control. In particular, these daily disposable lenses can help prevent axial elongation by reshaping the eye.
Various center distance and near MF lens designs are available for myopia control, including aspheric and concentric-ring designs or the dream lens lower Sackville. Aspheric center distance MFs have a central distance zone surrounded by alternating rings of near power while concentric-ring designs have a central distance zone surrounded by rings of both near and distance power.
In addition to the benefits of reducing myopia, these MF lenses can also be used for presbyopia and keratoconus. Many lenses are designed to balance distance and near correction based on pupil size.
The FDA recently approved a myopia control contact lens. This lens is a single-use, daily disposable contact lens that is intended to slow the progression of myopia in children.
Atropine Eye Drops
Atropine eye drops treat children aged six and above with high myopia (nearsightedness). They can be used with other myopia control treatments, such as orthokeratology.
Atropine is an anticholinergic medicine that temporarily weakens the contractions of the ciliary muscles, paralyzing accommodation. This means the lens has a flatter curve to focus incoming light rays from distant objects on the retina.
Using atropine to control myopia effectively slows myopia’s progression over time. This is a promising approach to myopia control.
The FDA disapproves atropine for myopia control, but it has been successfully used in many clinical trials. To minimize the risk of side effects, it is essential to use atropine under strict supervision.
Overnight Sight
Overnight Sight, also known as orthokeratology, ortho-k, and corneal reshaping, is a proven myopia management strategy that slows the progression of nearsightedness (myopia). This safe and effective treatment can be used for children and adults.
The lenses are similar in appearance to standard contact lenses but have a unique design that gently reshapes the cornea while you sleep. The result is clear vision when the lenses are removed in the morning.
It is recommended that you wear the Overnight Sight lenses each night. You can get more information and find out if you are a good candidate by visiting the Overnight Sight website.
Myopia is a common ocular abnormality and has become a significant public health issue worldwide. With the rise in prevalence, practitioners are assessing various behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical strategies to prevent and control myopia progression.
