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Myopia Control

MiyoSmart Lens

What is Myopia?

 

Myopia -- also known as short-sightedness -- is a common vision condition where distance objects appear blurry, while near vision remains clear. This happens because the eye grows longer (a process called axial elongation) than people who don't wear glasses.

 

Myopia typically begins in childhood and often progresses through the teenage years, usually stabilising in early adulthood. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly half of the global population is expected to be myopic by 2050.

 

 

Why Myopia Control Matters

 

Managing myopia isn't just about seeing clearly today -- it's about protecting long-term eye health.

 

As myopia progresses, the eyeball becomes longer (a process called axial elongation). If we imagine the eye like a ballon, the more it stretches, the thinner and more fragile the structure becomes. This increases the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including:

  • Retinal detachment

  • Glaucoma

  • Myopic Macular degeneration

 

With today's technology and ongoing research, we now have safe and effective ways to slow myopia pprogression. Early intervention gives us the best chanve to protect lifelong vision.

 

 

What is Myopia Control?

 

Myopia control refers to clinically proven methods that slow down the progression of myopia and axial elongation (eyeball growth), and reducing how quickly prescription change.

 

While standard glasses and contact lenses help you see clearly, they don't stop myopia from getting worse.

 

Myopia control treatments are evaluated by their efficacy, or how effective they are at slowing myopia. For example, if a child's prescription increases by -1.00D in one year with regular glasses, a treatment with 50% efficacy could reduce that increase to just -0.50D.

 

 

Our Myopia Control Options

 

At Lowes, Taaffe & Bhikoo Optometrists, we offer a comprehensive range of personalised, research-backed myopia control treatments:

  • Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) - Custome-made rigid contact lesnes worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea. This provides clear vision during the day -- without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses. Research shows that Ortho-K can effectively slow myopia progression, with efficacy rates reported between 32% to 100%, depending on the study. Most studies support an average efficacy of around 50%. Read more on our Ortho-K Lens page.

  • MiyoSmart & Stellest Glasses - specially designed lenses featureing a central clear zone and peripheral treatment zones that slows down myopia progression and eye growth.

  • Insert image for Miyosmart and Stellest lens design. Both have six years of data, MiyoSmart on average is 60% efficacy after six years of data. Stellest ranges from 67% to 57% (the study is still continuing).

  • Myopia Control Soft Contact Lenses - Daily disposable soft contact lenses that not only correct vision but are also designed to reduce the rate of myopia progression. Misight is the only FDA approved myopia control daily soft contact lens, It is designed by the University of Auckland, the efficacy rate is about 50% over a 3-year period study.

  • Atropine Eye Drops - Atropine drops are usually used for relaxing eye muscles and dialte the pupils. Research shows they are also effective at slowing myopia progression with minimal, strength-dependent side effects. The efficacy of Atropine drops are also strength dependent, with 0.02% and 0.05% shows better efficacy in children for myopia control (around 50%), while 0.01% is around 30% efficacy.

 

 

What to Expect During Your Visit

 

During your child's first myopia control assessment, our optometrists will perform a comprehensive exam, which include:

  • Vision testing and prescription check

  • Axial length measurement

  • Cycloplegic refraction (if needed)

  • Cornea topography (for thsoe considering Ortho-K)

  • Eye healthy evaluation (retina scan included)

  • Binocular vision assessment

  • Colour vision (if first time eye test)

 

We'll create a personalised treatment plan based on lifestyle, age, and visual needs.

 

 

Is Myopia Control Right for You or Your Child?

 

Myopia control may be beneficial if:

  • Your child's prescription if changing frequently

  • One or both parents are short-sighted

  • Axial length is longer than average

  • Glasses were needed at a young ago

  • Signifcant screen time and not enough outdoor activity

  • Certain binocular vision issues

 

 

How Do We Know It's Working?

 

We monitor two key indicators to assess how well myopia control is working:

  • Prescription changes (diopter increase)

  • Axial length growth (eyeball elongation)

 

Well-controlled myopia will show less frequent or smaller increases in prescription, slower axial elongation, or even similar axial lenght growth compared to children who don't need glasses.

 

Our optometrists typically review progress every 3 to 6 months, depending on the rate of progression. This allows us to track results closely and adjust the treatment plan if needed.

 

 

Outdoor Time & Further Reading

 

Studies have also shown that spending 2 hours everyday outdoor in natural light provides some myopia control effects.

 

Further reading -  mykidsvision.org, childmyopia.com,

Coopervision Misight soft contact lenses - https://coopervision.co.nz/contact-lenses/misight-1-day 

Hoya MiyoSmart lens - https://www.hoyavision.com/vision-products/miyosmartVr25/ 

Essilor Stellest lens - https://www.essilor.com/nz-en/products/stellest/

 

 

Book an Appointment

 

Early intervention makes all the difference.

If you’re concerned about your child’s vision, or if myopia runs in your family, Our experienced optometrists use the latest technology to help slow myopia progression and protect your child's eyesight for the future.

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Call us on 09-576 4769 or Book Online for your myopia control consultation today. 

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