What is Myopia?
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, causes poor long-distance vision. Nearsighted people have longer eyeballs or a higher curvature of their cornea. This can occur due to genetics or lifestyle components, such as overusing the eye’s focusing mechanism with close work. The prevalence of myopia is increasing globally, which significantly increases the risk of vision impairment.
- 1 in 4 American parents have a child with myopia.
- The instances or myopia doubled from 1990s to the 2010s.
- 50% of the world's population is expected to be myopic by 2050.
Why is managing myopia important?
A comprehensive eye exam can detect myopia early. While the condition typically starts and progresses during childhood, it can also progress in adulthood due to lifestyle factors.
Reducing the progression of myopia reduces your likelihood of developing myopic macular degeneration, which can cause vision loss. Even a small reduction by as little as one diopter can reduce your likelihood by 40%.
Reducing myopia can lower the risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment
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What are my treatment options for Myopia?
Increase time outdoors:
- Studies show a deficiency in natural sunlight exposure could contribute to an increase in myopia.
- Increased time spent outdoors can slow myopia progression and may decrease the risk of new myopia onset by 50%.
Limit screen time:
- Reduce the amount of time spent using digital devices.
- Take frequent breaks to reduce digital eye strain.
Talk to your doctor about prescription treatments:
- Ortho-K rigid contact lenses. These lenses reshape the cornea as you sleep in them. After two weeks to one month of
wear, you won’t need glasses or contacts during the day, but your cornea will return to its previous shape if you stop wearing
the lenses. - MiSight daily soft contact lenses. These are the only disposable soft contact lenses that are FDA-approved to slow progression when worn daily.
- Multifocal soft contact lenses. These lenses, which have a “center-distance design,” must be worn at least five hours per day and are replaced monthly.
- Atropine drops. These daily drops slightly dilate the eyes as an “off-label” treatment option that is prepared by compounding pharmacies.
- Bifocals or progressive (no line) lenses. Unlike eyeglasses with single vision lenses, bifocals or progressives can be beneficial in slowing the progression of nearsighted-ness to a certain extent.
