Myopia Control in Lindsay

Name: Russell West Optometry
Address: 67 Russell Street West, Lindsay, ON, K9V 2X1
Telephone: (705) 324-2612

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Helping Children’s Vision Go The Distance

Clear distance is vital to all of us. Unfortunately more and more children are living their lives with blurry distance vision due to “Myopia” or near sightedness. The onset of myopia (particularly in children) is increasing around the globe with potential projections it will affect 50% of the population in our lifetime.

New research in myopia is revealing that we can potentially control and treat some of the factors that lead to myopia worsening in children as they grow. This can lead to lighter glasses prescriptions and decreased risk of eye health problems (primarily retinal detachments, glaucoma, cataracts) later in life associated with having higher degrees of myopia.

Myopia At a Glance

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a focusing error of the eye that causes a person to see blurry at a distance. It occurs when the eye is too long for its natural focusing power, causing light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina instead of on it.

Aside from blurring distance vision, it can also be the cause of headaches, ocular discomfort

and problems focusing.

Myopia is one of the most common refractive errors people experience around the globe. Its prevalence ranges from 30% to 70% in different populations around the world!

Myopia in Children

Research has revealed that the initial signs of myopia often begin to show up between ages 5-8. And by age 13, up to 30% of children in this part of the world experience symptoms.

Unfortunately this number is growing, rapidly. Researchers have made connections between myopia in children with urbanization, increased near digital screen time, and spending less time outdoors.

How Myopia Can Be Controlled?

We have not solved the entire puzzle, but recently we have learned a lot about myopia and it’s onset and progression in children.

We don’t know everything about myopia, but at least at this point we know enough that we can help. There is still no cure, but if detected early, new treatments and lifestyle changes can slow myopia progression by up to 60%.

At Russell West Optometry we utilize a variety of methods tailored to the individual to potentially slow progression of myopia.

Multifocal Glasses

We will often recommend specially designed lenses to younger children that contain technology to help relax the focusing effort at near and alter the peripheral focus of light through the lenses. The latest version of these lenses can slow progression of myopia by 50-60%. (Levels that used to only be achieved with other treatments such as specialty contact lenses and atropine eye drops.)

Contact Lenses

Daily disposable contact lenses MiSight® lenses with a specific design to relax focusing effort and alter the peripheral focus can be used in children as young as 8 yrs old. They can reduce myopic progression by up to 59%. Most kids find these comfortable, and sometimes prefer them to glasses

Atropine

Atropine is the same medication safely used for decades to examine the structures inside the eyes. Used at a very weak concentration, it can slow myopia progression by relaxing the focusing mechanism. The drop is used at bedtime, and the child will still require glasses for clear vision. It can slow prescription changes in the range of 50%.

Book Your Appointment Today

Comprehensive eye exams can determine the extent of your myopia and find the prescription you need to enjoy clear, crisp vision. If we determine myopia is present in your child, we can help to manage it. Please, book an appointment with us today.

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