Myopia Management

What is Myopia Management?

Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This results in blurry distance vision. Myopia Management refers to strategies and treatments designed to slow the progression of myopia in children.

Why is Myopia Management Important?

As myopia progresses, it can increase the risk of severe eye conditions later in life. For example, high levels of myopia are linked to an increased risk of retinal diseases (like retinal detachment), glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Slowing the progression can help reduce the likelihood of these complications.

Overall, myopia management is about finding the right combination of treatments and lifestyle changes to slow down the progression of myopia and maintain good vision over the long term.

At Wink Optical, we are dedicated to helping slow the progression of myopia in children. Here are some commonly used methods for myopia management:

Stellest Lenses

The Stellest lenses are now FDA-authorized in the US. These lenses are worn in a frame and are designed to slow myopia progression by reducing peripheral defocus, which discourages the eye from elongating.

MiSight Contact Lenses

MiSight contact lenses are the first FDA-approved soft contact lenses for myopia management. They have a special design with dual-focus technology. The lens has two main zones:

• Peripheral Zone: The outer part of the lens focuses light slightly in front of the retina (a technique called "myopic defocus"). This helps to slow down the elongation of the eyeball, which is the primary cause of myopia progression.
• Central Zone: This is where normal vision correction occurs, focusing light directly onto the retina, allowing for clear central vision.

Atropine Eye Drops

Low-dose atropine eye drops are used to slow the progression of myopia. While atropine works by relaxing the focusing muscle of the eye, the exact mechanism behind its ability to slow myopia progression isn't entirely understood. This treatment is administered once a day (at bedtime), and research shows it can significantly reduce the rate of myopia progression.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

This involves wearing special contact lenses overnight that reshape the cornea temporarily, correcting the refractive error while the person sleeps. This can help improve vision during the day without the need for glasses or regular contact lenses. It has been shown to slow down the progression of myopia in children.

Lifestyle and Environmental Modifications

Encouraging behaviors like spending more time outdoors in natural light and reducing prolonged near-vision tasks can have a positive impact. Studies have shown that outdoor activity, especially in early childhood, may help reduce the risk of developing myopia or slow its progression.