Myopia control is a term used to talk about slowing the progression of myopia in children and young adults. There are four commonly used forms of treatment – orthokeratology (Ortho-K) or CRT lenses, multifocal soft contact lenses, bifocal or progressive eyeglasses, and atropine therapy.
CRT/ORTHO-K
BY DR. CASSANDRIA E. WARR
MAPPING OUT
MYOPIA
M
yopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is the most common cause of impaired vision in people under the age of 40. If you are nearsighted, you have difficulty seeing things at a distance, such as road signs while driving or the board at school. Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is too curved. As a result, light entering the eye isn’t focused correctly and distant objects appear blurred. Having myopia can increase the chances of getting other eye conditions – such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachments – in the future. Today, myopia affects about 30% of the U.S. population. It is projected that about 50% will be myopic by 2050. This condition typically begins in childhood, and there is an increased risk if one or both parents are nearsighted. Unfortunately, studies show that myopia is becoming more common among children. Some research suggests that kids who spend more time indoors – doing near-focused activities like reading, computer work, and video games – have higher rates of myopia than those who spend more time outdoors.
Corneal refractive therapy (CRT) or orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is the use of specifically designed gas permeable lenses that are worn while sleeping to temporarily correct nearsightedness, so that glasses or contact lenses do not need to be used during the day. These lenses have also been used to reduce myopia progression in children. Ortho-K lenses are a non-surgical form of correction for myopia. While the lens is on the eye, it gently changes the shape of the cornea, resulting in a corneal shape that focuses light properly on the retina. While a significant improvement in vision is usually experienced after only one night of wear, this is not a permanent correction. If lens wear is discontinued, the cornea will revert to its normal shape, and the glasses prescription will go back to what it was before starting the lenses. It is important to note that Ortho-K cannot be used with all prescriptions, they are more difficult to fit compared to regular contacts lenses, and more follow-up visits to the doctor are needed.
MULTIFOCAL SOFT CONTACT LENSES Multifocal soft contact lenses are worn by children six to 12 years of
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Myopia is most often treated with glasses or contact lenses. It can also be treated with surgical procedures, such as LASIK or PRK – however, these procedures are typically only effective if the myopia is stable, and cannot be performed on anyone under the age of 18. 50
CIRCA Magazine
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