myopia management header

What is myopia management?

The aim of myopia management is to slow down the progression of myopia in children and young adults, by treating the trigger that makes the eyeball grow.

normal eye with myopia

Myopia is traditionally corrected with standard spectacles or contact lenses by using the lenses to focus light rays on the macula to give clear distance vision. The issue with this is that light rays focus behind the retina – this is called relative peripheral hyperopic defocus.

Extensive research has shown that this peripheral defocus stimulates the eyeball to elongate, thus causing myopic progression.

Myopia is traditionally corrected with standard spectacles or contact lenses by using the lenses to focus light rays on the macula to give clear distance vision. The issue with this is that light rays focus behind the retina – this is called relative peripheral hyperopic defocus.

Extensive research has shown that this peripheral defocus stimulates the eyeball to elongate, thus causing myopic progression.

myopia lens

By correcting this peripheral defocus we can slow the myopic progression down by up to 60%

This will reduce the risk of developing glaucoma, retinal detachment and myopic macula degeneration by around 80%.

What is myopia?

Myopia (short-sightedness) is the inability to see things clearly unless they’re relatively close to your eyes. Also called shortsightedness or nearsightedness, myopia is the most common refractive error among children and young adults.

typical eye
myopic eye

Distant objects and your driving vision will be blurry if you have myopia, but you still will be able to see nearby objects clearly. This is why the condition is also called “short-sightedness.” Myopia typically starts to develop during childhood and can progress gradually or rapidly. The most common symptoms of myopia are squinting, eye strain, fatigue, and headaches.

Is being myopic a problem?

Aside from the inconvenience of having to wear spectacles or contact lenses to correct your vision, myopes are more likely to develop potentially sight-threatening disorders such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macula degeneration. The risk of developing these conditions increases the more myopic you are.

Methods of myopia management

While there are several different methods of myopia management, we have chosen those which have conducted the most thorough clinical trials and have been proven to give the best results; Dual focus contact lenses and MiYOSMART spectacle lenses.

Other methods of myopia management

Spectacle lenses Progressive lenses and bifocals for myopia management may deliver a range of efficacy up to about 30%. New technology is constantly evolving in this area.

Ortho-Keratology Ortho-Keratology (Ortho-K, corneal reshaping technology) lenses are rigid lenses that are designed to be worn overnight. An Ortho-K lens is shaped to gently flatten the cornea to neutralise the prescription to correct myopia so that on waking, the lenses are removed and throughout the day, the child can see without contact lenses or glasses. The effect of management of myopia is 30%-50%.

Multifocal contact lenses Some soft multifocal contact lenses have been shown by some researchers to achieve between 25% and 72% efficacy in clinical trials for controlling the speed of myopic progression.

Atropine Drops These are currently used in Australia and the Far East, but are not licensed for use in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Which option is best for my child?

The choice of management will be discussed with you and your child by one of our accredited Optometrists. There are a number of factors that can influence which is the best method; child’s age, degree of myopia and hobbies.

Is myopia management always success?

Of the options we offer, research has shown that the average reduction in myopia progression is 60%. These figures are based on an average, meaning that some children will experience a greater reduction and others will have a lesser degree of reduction. It isn’t possible to predict the exact level of reduction for each child.

When should I consider myopia management for my child?

The earlier myopia management is started the better. We can treat children from age 6 – 18, whenever the 1st signs of myopia appear.

How much does it cost?

The cost is dependent on the method chosen. Contact the practice and we will be more than happy to go through the up to date prices with you. Please be aware that myopia management is not covered by the NHS.

How do i go ahead with myopia management for my child?

Your child will need an up-to-date eye examination with us, dated within the last 6 months. Our Optometrist will then discuss with you the different myopia management options. If you have any further questions, or would like to arrange an appointment, please contact us