Myopia management refers to various techniques and treatments aimed at slowing down the progression of short-sightedness (or myopia) in children and young adults. These may include the use of contact lenses, or spectacle lenses, as well as certain lifestyle and behavioural changes. The goal of myopia management is to reduce the risk of vision problems associated with high levels of myopia in later life.
Myopia Management
What is myopia?
Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, is the inability to see distant objects clearly. This means that things such as television and white boards at school will be difficult to see. In a normal eye, the object focuses an image on the retina to give clear vision.
An estimated 5 billion people, or half the population, could be affected by short-sightedness by 2050.
What causes myopia?
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long (axial length) or the parts of the eye which focus on the light are too powerful. In a myopic eye, the image is focused in front of the retina, creating blurred vision. It can be more prevalent if there is a family history of myopia or depending on your ethnicity.
Behaviour factors could also contribute to myopia such as spending less time outdoors and spending more time indoors doing increased close work like reading or using digital devices
Why Manage Myopia?
Acting early in the diagnosis of myopia not only helps to improve their vision now, but can help slow the progression of myopia and preserve vision and eye health for the future.
Due to the increased length of a myopic eye, the incidence of conditions such as glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration and retinal detachment increase with the level of myopia.
Myopia management is a long term treatment plan for children and teenagers to manage and slow the growth of myopia to reduce the risk of such conditions later in life.
How Can Myopia Be Managed?
Up until now, conventional spectacle lenses have helped to correct the visual symptoms of myopia, making vision clearer.
More recently, the use of specially designed spectacle lenses and contact lenses has been proven to correct vision AND help to slow the progression of myopia by up to 60% on average.
What Else Can Help?
To further help slow the progression of myopia in growing children you can encourage your child to;
Spend more time outdoors, a minimum of 2 hours per day.
Take regular breaks from long intensive screen time or near work like reading.
Take note of ergonomics, such as suitable lighting, posture and keeping the recommended working distance which are all very important to keep eyes healthy while doing near work.
Have regular eye examinations to ensure myopia and other vision conditions are detected so they can can be treated as soon as possible.
Act Now
Children should have regular eye examinations regardless of whether they are showing symptoms or not, they are normally funded by the NHS for children under 19 and in full time education.
Book your child's next eye check in if:
They have not had their eyes tested in the last year.
Are complaining of headaches, eyes hurting or saying they cannot see very well.
If you have been told your child has myopia or is short-sighted and have not been advised about myopia management options, please get in contact so we can discuss these options with you. Have their prescription to hand so we can understand the level of their vision.
Myopia Management Plans
A Myopia Management plan at Clark Family Eyecare is a direct debit payment plan providing and easy way to spread the cost of appointments and spectacle/contact lenses. The plan is a service and credit agreement and will run for a minimum period and will automatically renew at the end of this period.
Our team will discuss your plan options with you at your myopia management appointment
Care Only Plan
This plan is helpful for children who have been identified as ‘at risk’ due to key factors in their lifestyle, whose parent wish to monitor the progression. It includes 6 monthly appointments to monitor prescription changes and includes additional digital retinal scans and non-invasive measurements of the eye which monitors the eyes growth.
Spectacle and Care Plan
Includes everything from the Care Only Plan PLUS annual MiYOSMART* spectacle lenses AND 6 monthly replacement lenses (where required) due to scratches AND 50% off any additional sets of lenses including MiYOSMART Chameleon (Photochromic) and MiYOSMART Sunbird (polarised sunglasses).
Contact Lens and Care Plan
Includes everything in the care only plan AND contact lens aftercare appointments AND 3 monthly supply of contact lenses delivered to your door. This plan does not include spectacle lenses however the spectacle plan can run in conjunction with the contact lens plan and care plan for a slightly reduced cost.
*For MiYOSMART spectacle lenses we recommend attending appointments every 3 months to check the fitting and alignment of the spectacles to ensure maximum benefit. The cost of the frame is not included in the plan. There is a manufacturer non-tolerance period of 30 days, when purchasing MiYOSMART for the first time. Should you decide that MiYOSMART are not for you, you may return them to us before the end of the 30-day period.