Maintaining excellent eye health is essential for people of all ages. At The Eye Care Centre, we advocate for regular eye exams for both adults and children, starting at six months old to identify potential vision issues early. Although vision problems are often linked to aging, they can affect anyone, including children who may develop myopia, or nearsightedness. Myopia, which results in difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, typically begins in childhood and can worsen over time.
While myopia cannot be cured, effective management strategies can slow its progression and mitigate the risks associated with severe myopia as individuals age. The Eye Care Centre emphasizes the importance of optimal eye care, especially for children. Good eye health is crucial not only for your child’s overall development but also for their academic success and daily activities.
Understanding Myopia
Myopia or nearsightedness, stems from either an elongated eyeball or an overly curved cornea, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This condition is becoming increasingly common, especially among children, but various modern methods can effectively manage it.
There are two primary types of myopia based on the biological mechanisms behind the refractive error:
Axial Myopia
Axial myopia is the most prevalent form, occurring when the eye lengthens from front to back. This elongation shifts the focal point of light to a position in front of the retina, resulting in blurred distance vision.
Refractive Myopia
Refractive myopia happens when the cornea or lens has an excessive curvature. This increased curvature causes light rays to bend more acutely, leading to a focal point in front of the retina rather than directly on it.
Myopia Management
Managing myopia effectively is key to slowing its progression and preserving long-term vision health. At The Eye Care Centre, we provide a range of advanced treatments tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Our approach predominantly includes specialty contact lenses and glasses lenses for children.
MiSight 1 Day Contact Lenses
In children, myopia often increases as their eyes grow. MiSight 1 Day contact lenses are specifically designed to address this issue in young patients. These daily disposable lenses are not only convenient—eliminating the need for cleaning and storage—but are also clinically proven to slow myopia progression by an average of 59%. This makes them an excellent choice for parents seeking effective myopia management for their children.
Acuvue Abiliti Contact Lenses
For those who prefer an alternative to traditional glasses, multifocal contact lenses are a highly effective option. These lenses have multiple prescriptions in concentric rings, allowing for clear vision at various distances. This design helps leverage the eye’s natural focusing ability, thereby strengthening the eyes and preventing myopia from worsening over time.
Specialty Glasses Lenses
For individuals who prefer glasses over contact lenses, multifocal glasses offer a practical solution. Specific lenses from multiple manufacturers (such as Zeiss, Hoya, and Essilor) have gone through rigorous testing to demonstrate their effectiveness over standard distance glasses in slowing the progression of myopia. They are especially beneficial for those who have reservations about using contact lenses or for whom contact lenses may not be suitable.
At The Eye Care Centre, our objective is to provide personalized and effective myopia management solutions to ensure the best eye health for all our patients.
Causes of Myopia
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is often caused by certain structural variations in the eye. Typically, individuals with myopia have either an elongated eyeball or an overly curved cornea, which causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, leading to blurred distance vision.
Several factors contribute to the development of myopia, including:
Genetics: A hereditary factor where children are more likely to develop myopia if one or both parents have the condition.
Prolonged Near Work: Spending long periods on tasks that require close focus, such as reading or using digital screens, can contribute to the onset of myopia.
Limited Outdoor Activities: Reduced time spent outdoors has been linked to a higher risk of developing myopia.
Recognizing these causes is crucial for creating effective plans to manage and control the progression of myopia.
Comprehensive Myopia Care for a Brighter Future
At The Eye Care Centre, we emphasize the importance of understanding and managing myopia to maintain excellent eye health and ensure a bright future for people of all ages. By examining the causes of myopia—such as genetic predispositions, extended periods of near work, and limited outdoor activities—we better grasp the factors that contribute to this widespread vision condition. Recognizing the two types of myopia, axial and refractive, allows us to understand the structural changes in the eye leading to blurred distance vision.
Your Vision, Our Priority
Our dedicated team of eye care professionals at The Eye Care Centre is committed to offering personalized care and the most advanced treatments available. Whether you need myopia management for yourself or your child, we are here to support you every step of the way. Our goal is to empower our patients with the knowledge and tools necessary to maintain healthy vision and improve their quality of life.Start your journey towards better vision by scheduling an appointment with us. Let The Eye Care Centre be your guide to clearer, healthier vision.
