Eyecare

myopia control

Myopia control is a strategy employed at Eyes of Howick to reduce either onset or progression of myopia. Once a child is myopic ( short-sighted) it is not necessarily possible to stop all progression, but a realistic expectation is to reduce the progression rate by 50 percent.

This may be achieved by way of specialty spectacle lenses, contact lenses or even speciality eye drops. When you and your child visit us we carefully discuss the risk of myopia progression and help you choose the right strategy to protect your child’s vision.

 
 

Why the importance on Myopia Control?

  • 80 percent of all learning occurs through vision

  • Visual impairment affects a child’s schooling, sporting, physical and social development

  • The younger the child’s age at myopia onset; the faster they progress and the more likely they are to become highly myopic as a teen or adult

  • For every 1 dioptre of additional myopia that a child gains in childhood, their risk of developing maculopathy (a disease which affects the very central retina and vision) as an adult increases by 60 percent! To think of this another way, for every 1 dioptre we prevent in childhood, that child’s risk of maculopathy as an adult decreases by 40 percent!. This is literally sight saving and quality of life saving. Not to mention a cost saving for our health system as patients with maculopathy require ongoing care and management.

  • High Myopia is also associated with increased risk of Glaucoma and Retinal Detachment

myopia control technology

For Myopia Control to be effective, either spectacle lenses, contact lenses or a combination of both need to be worn full time. At conclusion of the eye examination, your Optometrist will discuss options to best suit your prescription and your lifestyle.

Myopia Control Spectacle Lenses

Stellest lenses by Essilor slow myopia progression by 67 percent on average when compared to a child wearing normal single vision lenses.

The Stellest lens will correct the myopia, thus your child will see clearly but it also works to slow the elongation of the eye, thus reducing myopia progression.

These lenses are safe as they are made from polycarbonate material which is not only impact resistant but also lightweight. The lens provides superb scratch resistance as well as UV protection with the incorporation of our Crizal Rock anti-reflective coating.

We arrange a pre-appointed 6 monthly review to ensure your child’s eyes and vision are staying on track and if the prescription has changed by a half dioptre or more at that visit, we will update the lenses free of charge. We also offer a second pair of lenses at 50 percent discount, to ensure your child will never be caught short without clear vision!

Myopia Control Contact Lenses

MiSight® 1 day daily disposable contact lenses are proven to slow the progression of myopia in children.

MiSight® 1 day contact lenses with ActiveControl® Technology not only fit children’s active lifestyles by correct short-sightedness – they’re also the first soft contact lenses proven to significantly reduce the progression of myopia in children by 59%. When wearing MiSight® 1 day contact lenses, your child can experience clear vision, freedom from glasses and continue to enjoy the activities they love.

1 day contact lenses have been proven to be a safe Myopia control strategy for children with the convenience of wearing a new lens each day there is no hassle of cleaning or storing the lenses.