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Myopia Control
‘Short-sightedness’ or ‘nearsightedness’ are the common terms for myopia – a common eye condition that makes distance vision blurry. It usually starts in childhood and gets progressively worse until the child stops growing. We at Opticare offer ground-breaking myopia control treatments in all of our practices
What causes Myopia?
There are two main factors which can mean your child is more at risk of developing myopia – genetic, lifestyle or a combination of both.
Unfortunately, there are a number of factors in the modern lifestyle that can contribute to the development of myopia, such as prolonged near tasks such as reading and screen time at a short distance, low levels of outdoor activity and even poor lighting levels.
Things to look out for…
- Move closer to the TV
- Poor concentration
- Complaints of headaches
- Tired eyes
- Squinting or screwing eyes up
- Reduced performance at school
What does a myopia control assessment involve?
It starts with a full eye examination to check your child’s current prescription and the overall health of their eyes. We then compare that prescription against previous visits, because the rate at which it changes over time is what tells us how quickly the myopia is progressing and how actively it needs managing.
From there it is a conversation. We look at your child’s age and how early the myopia appeared, whether there is short sight in the family, how much time they spend on close work and screens, and how much time they get outdoors, since all of these influence how the prescription is likely to move over the next few years. We also talk about how they get on day to day with glasses or contact lenses, and how they feel about wearing either.
Only then do we recommend an approach, whether that is a spectacle option such as MiYOSMART or a daily contact lens option such as MiSight. We will explain how each one works, what it involves and what it costs, and we will bring your child back for regular reviews so we can see whether it is doing its job.
Why controlling myopia matters
Managing myopia isn’t just about reducing how strong your child’s glasses need to be. Higher levels of short-sightedness in adulthood are linked to an increased lifetime risk of more serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, and glaucoma. Slowing progression during childhood, while the eye is still growing, is the window where myopia control treatments are proven to make the biggest difference.
Slowing Down Myopia in Children
MiYOSMART Spectacles
MiYOSMART is an innovative spectacle lens for myopia management developed by HOYA and is proven to curb myopia progression in children on average by 60% (based on the results of a 2-year clinical trial).
These new kinds of lenses make Myopia Control safe and convenient – and no different from wearing ordinary spectacles. They are a non-invasive solution, easy to adapt to, and are suitable for full-time daily wear for a wide range of activities.
The lenses provide clear vision and constant myopic defocus simultaneously – basically like normal spectacles, they correct your child’s vision for both near and distance, whilst also working to reduce the progression of their shortsightedness.
D.I.M.S. Technology
- Non-invasive management of myopia.
- Reduces myopia progression on average by 60%.
Eye Protection
- Made of polycarbonate with high impact resistance.
- Safe and durable, suitable for active wear.
- Provides comprehensive UV protection for the eyes.
MiYOSMART Coating
- Water repellent – so easy to keep clean.
- Special anti-reflective durable coating.
Worried about Myopia? Take Action.
Our trained optometrists will assess your child’s eyesight and will discuss whether myopia control is an option for them.
MiSight Contact Lenses
While regular spectacles and contact lenses can help your child see clearly, they cannot slow down the progression of myopia. They will need stronger prescriptions as they continue to grow.
MiSight 1-day is a soft, daily disposable contact lens suitable for children, which is proven to slow the progression of myopia.
About MiSight 1 day contact lenses
MiSight 1-day corrects short-sightedness so children enjoy clear, spectacle-free vision AND it has a groundbreaking special optical design which helps to slow down the speed at which myopia progresses.
Over a three-year clinical study of MiSight® 1-day contact lenses in children aged 8–15 years:
90%
of children said they preferred wearing their MiSight® 1 day contact lenses over wearing their spectacles.
90%
of children could handle MiSight® 1-day lenses on their own.
100%
of parents said their children were happy with the experience of wearing contact lenses, including comfort, vision, ease of use and freedom from spectacles.
Common questions about myopia control
What age can myopia control start?
Myopia control is typically most effective when started as early as possible after a child is diagnosed as short-sighted, since it works by slowing progression while the eye is still growing. Our optometrists can advise on the right age to start based on your child’s individual prescription and how quickly it’s changing.
How often will my child need check-ups?
Regular monitoring, usually every six months, lets us track axial length and prescription changes over time and confirm the treatment is working as expected.
Is myopia control available at all branches?
Yes – myopia control assessments, MiYOSMART spectacle lenses, and MiSight contact lenses are all available across our Newark, Anstey, Birstall, and Sileby practices.
Learn More About Myopia
Want to understand more about short-sightedness before booking in? Read our guide to myopia in children, our full guide to myopia and preventative treatment, or find out more about our MiYOSMART lenses.