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Myopia & Myopia Control
What is Myopia?
Myopia is also known as Short-sighted or Near-sighted. This is a common vision condition where objects near to you are seen clearly, but arther away objects are blurry. This occurs when the shape of your eye is longer than others and causes light rays to bend (refract) incorrectly, focusing images in front of your retina instead of on your retina.
What are the effects of myopia?
Since the size of the eyeball is the main factor in governing focus, and as the eyeball continues to grow until about age 25, it is easy to see how a short-sighted child becomes more short-sighted.
If there is a family member with a high degree of myopia, there is a greater chance the childs myopia will progress (worsen) until the eye naturally stabilises. (often in their early twenties).
Patients with high myopia are at a greater risk of retinal detachments and disorders. These can be visually debilitating if undetected. They are also more likely to suffer from certain eye diseases such as glaucoma or cataracts.
Rototuna Optometrists has a specialised clinic dedicated to Myopia Control
Here's a look at what we can offer.
What can you do to stop myopia progression?
Orthokeratology (OrthoK)
Orthokeratology uses individually custom designed contact lenses worn during sleep.
They reversibly reshape the cornea (front of the eye) to correct myopia, so no visual correction is required during the day.
Due to the reshaping effect of the cornea, they recreate the ideal optical properties required for myopia control. Studies show a 50% slowing in the progression of myopia.
Soft Contact Lenses
Specially designed soft contact lenses are worn during waking hours offering the wearer vision correction and technology slowing down the progression of myopia.
Spectacle Lenses
Spectacle lenses have been specifically designed to reduce myopia progression. The effect is not as large as contact lens options but have shown to reduce myopia progression by 30%.
Atropine
Atropine is a topical drop that has been shown to be effective halting myopia from progressing.
