Myopia control or myopia management are treatments used for slowing down childhood myopia progression. The younger a child becomes myopic, the faster they tend to progress, leading to higher levels of myopia. Parents should start a myopia management method as soon as possible. It involves prescribing special types of contact lens or atropine eye drops to slow down worsening of vision.
Ortho-k
What is Ortho-k? Orthokeratology, also commonly known as corneal refractive therapy, vision shaping treatment. Ortho-k is the gentle reshaping of the cornea to correct Myopia (nearsightedness).
Orthokeratology is known by numerous names and the technique has changed significantly over the years. Ortho-k have been practiced for about 40 years. The technique involves using a rigid gas permeable lens to flatten or reshape the cornea causing the patient to become less nearsighted. The process is accomplished while you sleep using a computer designed reverse geometry contact lens. The lenses are inserted at bedtime and removed in the morning. The lenses safely and gently reshape the cornea changing the eye's focus. Most patients will have good vision throughout the day.
Many recent studies have shown that orthokeratology lenses can prevent the progression of myopia in children. It is important to prevent the progression of nearsightedness in our children The incidence of myopia, in the United States, increased by 66% in the last 30 years. Currently, a multi-center FDA sponsored study is in it's fourth of five years and thus far the preliminary results are confirming that OrthoK does in fact prevent the progression of nearsightedness.
Orthok is accomplished by using a specially designed contact lens called a reverse geometry lens that flattens the cornea by pushing the central epithelial layers that reside directly over the pupil towards the periphery. This movement of corneal cells causes the center of the cornea to be thinner thus moving the focus of light closer to the retina. By refocusing the light on the retina, the vision is improved.
Ortho-K
MiSight
Another great option for myopia control are MiSight contact lenses. These contacts are daily disposable soft contact lenses designed to slow myopia progression in children.
When inserted into the eye, the central part of the MiSight contact lens corrects the refractive error, much like a traditional corrective lens. But the peripheral part of the lens has uniquely designed concentric rings that direct light to focus on the retina. This has been shown to significantly reduce the stimuli causing the eye to grow longer.
The safety and effectiveness of MiSight were studied in a 3-year clinical trial of 135 children aged 8 to 12 who were prescribed either MiSight or traditional soft contact lenses. Over the 3-year period, myopia progressed at a much slower rate — by 59% to be exact — in the children who wore MiSight contact lenses compared to the children who wore conventional soft contacts.These results indicate that MiSight could be an excellent option for slowing myopia progression in your child.
Ortho-k or Misight consultation
Patients interested in Ortho-K or Misight start with an eye exam. After a comprehensive eye exam, we will start either an Ortho-K consultation or Misight consultation and further discuss treatment options.
Dr. Domingues has been practicing myopia control since she opened her practice in 2011. She has done hundreds of successful fits in Ortho K and is now certified in Misight lenses as well. Call our office and schedule an appointment to further discuss options for your child.
