Myopia Control
What is Myopia Control?
Myopia is a very common issue throughout the world. Approximately 1/3 of the population in the United States have the condition and over 90% of several East Asian countries suffer from myopia. Myopia is associated with several very serious conditions that can threaten one’s ability to see.
Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is a condition where individuals can see objects that are close to them but may have difficulty distinguishing things at a distance. It is caused by an increase in eye length or corneal curvature which causes light to focus in front of the retina.
Currently, there is no known cure for myopia and recent studies suggest that the more advanced your myopia gets, the more serious the effects can be on your vision. This has led eye professionals to look for ways to slow the progression of myopia in children and young adults as the eyes typically change more rapidly during this time.
Soft Multifocal Lenses Soft contact lenses are worn during the day to correct vision to help slow down the progression by reducing the strain on the eyes.
Types of Myopia Control:
There are a few different treatments for myopia that have proven to be effective in a number of studies. Your eye doctor will evaluate your eyes and decide on the best option for you.
Ortho-K:
Ortho-K or Orthokeratology is one practice being used to slow down the progression of myopia. Ortho-K utilizes a special rigid gas-permeable contact lens that is placed into the eyes just before you go to bed. This hard lens helps to gently re-shape your cornea throughout the night so when you wake up in the morning and remove the lenses, your eye continues to maintain that shape and have clear vision all day. This treatment eliminates the need for both glasses and contact lenses during the day.