Myopia Control

What Is Myopia?

Myopia, commonly called nearsightedness, is a refractive error of the eye that makes distant objects appear blurry while nearby objects remain in focus. This condition occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) is too curved, which causes the incoming light to focus in front of the retina instead of on it. Myopia affects a significant portion of the population, with the prevalence varying among different ethnic groups and geographical regions. It usually develops during childhood or adolescence and may progressively worsen until early adulthood.

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MYOPIA FACT #1: Myopia is becoming increasingly common worldwide. According to a study published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the prevalence of myopia is projected to increase from 28% of the global population in 2010 to 50% in 2050. In some parts of East Asia, up to 80% of young adults have myopia.

The Effects Of Myopia

Myopia can have significant impacts on an individual's vision and overall eye health. Here are some of the common effects:

Blurred vision: People with myopia can see nearby objects clearly but distant objects appear blurred.
Eye strain and fatigue: Individuals with myopia may experience eye strain, fatigue, and headaches due to the constant effort required to focus on distant objects.
Difficulty driving and seeing road signs: People with myopia may have difficulty driving, especially at night or in low light conditions, and seeing road signs from a distance.
Increased risk of eye conditions: Myopia increases the risk of developing other eye health concerns such as cataracts, glaucoma , macular degeneration and retinal detachment .
Reduced quality of life: People with myopia may find it challenging to participate in enriching activities such as sports, outdoor activities, and social events.
Higher healthcare costs: Treating myopia requires eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery, which can lead to higher healthcare costs.

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Risks of Myopia

Glaucoma

The risk for glaucoma is nearly 50% higher in individuals with moderate to high myopia compared to those with mild myopia.

Retinal Detachment

Patients with severe myopia are at greater risk for retinal detachment and the associated complete vision loss than those with mild myopia.

Cataracts

Although not directly linked, myopia increases the likelihood of developing cataracts later in life and requiring cataract surgery.

Macular Degeneration

The risk of macular degeneration associated with myopia (known as myopic macular degeneration) rises sharply with age and the progression of myopia.

MYOPIA FACT #2: Time spent outdoors may help reduce the risk of myopia. A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that children who spent more time outdoors had a lower risk of developing myopia compared to those who spent less time outdoors. This suggests that increased exposure to natural light and outdoor activities may help prevent myopia or slow its progression.

Your Optometrist’s Role In Myopia Management

Your optometrist plays an essential role in myopia control by providing early detection, monitoring, and treatment options for children, teens, and adults with myopia. Here are some ways optometrists can help in myopia control:

Early detection: Optometrists can detect myopia during routine comprehensive eye exams which should be performed at an early age, especially for children with a family history of myopia.
Providing education: Optometrists can monitor the progression of myopia and identify risk factors that may increase the likelihood of rapid progression.
Prescribing myopia control treatments: Optometrists can prescribe myopia control treatments based on individual needs and preferences, and adjust them as necessary to ensure the best outcome.
Follow-up care: Optometrists can provide follow-up care to monitor the effectiveness of myopia control treatments and make adjustments as necessary.

By working closely with patients and their families, optometrists can help prevent the progression of myopia and reduce the risk of associated eye problems, thereby promoting healthy vision and a better quality of life.

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Advice From Your Optometrist

Put Digital Devices Away
There are so many screens in our kids' lives today (iPads, computers, cellphones) and a lot of these involve near work. It is unrealistic to ask kids to stop using these tools completely, but try to limit their usage throughout the day so there is more balance with outdoor time and activities that involve distance-vision (ie. looking at things more than 6m away).

Choose The Correct Viewing Distance
Avoid holding reading materials close to your eyes. Hold near-work activities further away to limit eye strain. Optimal “near range” (the distance that is most natural and comfortable for near work) can be measured with your own forearm. If you put your fist at your chin, the distance to the end of your elbow is an appropriate near position. Position your computer at a distance equal to the length of your arm from your shoulder to your wrist or finger tips.

Follow The 20-20-20 Rule

Give your eyes frequent breaks by following the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds. By following the 20-20-20 rule, you give your eyes a chance to relax and refocus on something in the distance. Prolonged near work (including screen time) is associated with an increased risk of myopia development. This practice can also help alleviate other symptoms associated with prolonged screen use, such as headaches and neck or shoulder pain.

Get Outside
Kids spend a lot of time indoors, especially during the winter months, so it is important ensure your kids spend at least 1-2 hours outside each day. This is important because they are more likely to be engaged in distance-vision activities when they are outside, which places less strenuous near-vision demands on growing, young eyes. It is also believed that dopamine release and Vitamin D from sunlight exposure also plays a role in slowing myopia progression. Spending time outside reduces the chance of developing myopia, but does not necessarily slow the progression once a child has already developed myopia, so outdoor time is important for even very young kids. Don’t forget your sunglasses!

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MYOPIA FACT #3: Myopia can have a significant economic impact. A report by the Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) estimated that myopia will cost the global economy over $200 billion annually by 2020. This cost is due to factors such as lost productivity, healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life for individuals with myopia.

What Are The Treatment Options For Myopia

There are several treatment options available for myopia, which include:

Eyeglasses: Eyeglasses with concave lenses are a common and effective way to correct myopia. The lenses in the glasses are designed to help the light focus correctly on the retina, which improves vision.
Contact lenses: Contact lenses can also be used to correct myopia. Like glasses, contact lenses use concave lenses to bend the light and focus it properly on the retina. Soft contact lenses are the most popular option, but rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are also available.
Refractive surgery: Laser eye surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, can permanently correct myopia by reshaping the cornea. These surgeries are usually reserved for adults who have stable prescriptions and good eye health.
Orthokeratology: Orthokeratology involves the use of special rigid contact lenses that are worn at night to temporarily reshape the cornea and correct myopia. Patients can remove the lenses during the day and enjoy clear vision without glasses or contacts.
Atropine eye drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops can be prescribed to slow the progression of myopia in children. Atropine works by relaxing the focusing mechanism in the eye, which may help to reduce the development of myopia.
Peripheral Vision Management Lenses: These contact lenses (Zeiss MyoVision Lenses) are designed to allow for clear central vision and simultaneous movement of the peripheral image in front of the retina can also help to slow the progression of myopia in children.

Your optometrist will recommend the most appropriate treatment option based on your age, lifestyle, and degree of myopia. It is essential to have regular comprehensive eye exams to monitor myopia progression and adjust treatment as necessary.

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MYOPIA ARTICLES FROM MY OPTOMETRIST CALGARY

True Or False? The Facts About Myopia

Myopic Fact Vs. Fiction False: Taking Vitamins Can Stop Myopia. True: Vitamins can help with some eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration, but myopia is not one of them. False: Myopia Only Affects Children. True: Although it is most common to develop myopia in childhood, it can develop at any age and the effects of myopia last into adulthood. False: Wearing Glasses Or C

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December 3, 2021

How Does Your Optometrist Diagnose And Treat Myopia?

Myopia: What It Is And What To Do About It Indicators Of Myopia There are several signs that can indicate myopia in adults and children: Eyestrain Headaches Squinting Difficulty seeing distant objects If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an eye exam to have your or your child’s prescription checked. Diagnosis When you go for an eye exam, your optometri

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March 17, 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is myopia becoming more common worldwide?

Myopia is becoming more common worldwide due to various factors such as increased urbanization, changes in lifestyle, and decreased exposure to natural light. Studies suggest that spending more time indoors and engaging in activities that require prolonged near work, such as reading and using digital devices, may contribute to the development and progression of myopia.

Can myopia be prevented?

While it may not be possible to prevent myopia entirely, certain strategies can help reduce its progression, especially in children. These include spending time outdoors, taking regular breaks from near work (such as reading or using electronic devices), maintaining proper lighting conditions, and ensuring good posture during close-up tasks. Regular eye exams are also essential for early detection and intervention.

Why does myopia progress more quickly for some people?

The rapid progression of myopia occurs in some people when certain factors are present. These include:

Genetics
Environmental factors (excessive near work, prolonged screen time, and inadequate outdoor activities)
Earlier age of onset
Higher initial refractive error
Ethnicity

The most manageable factor that contributes to a rapid progression is insufficient control of nearsightedness through corrective measures. This can lead to continued elongation of the eyeball and faster deterioration of vision. Regular eye exams and proactive management strategies are crucial in addressing this issue.

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Glaucoma
The risk for glaucoma is nearly 50% higher in individuals with moderate to high myopia compared to those with mild myopia.

Retinal Detachment
Patients with severe myopia are at greater risk for retinal detachment and the associated complete vision loss than those with mild myopia.

Cataracts
Although not directly linked, myopia increases the likelihood of developing cataracts later in life and requiring cataract surgery.

Macular Degeneration
The risk of macular degeneration associated with myopia (known as myopic macular degeneration) rises sharply with age and the progression of myopia.

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