Myopia Management Therapies: Who Can Benefit?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is an increasingly common vision problem that can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. However, these options don’t address the underlying cause or prevent the condition from worsening in children and early teens.

Myopia management therapies aim to slow down myopic progression during the crucial years when a child’s eyes are still developing. Including specialized contact lenses and eye drops, these treatments offer possible proactive approaches to safeguarding long-term eye health.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is a refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry while nearby objects remain in focus. This condition occurs when the eye is too long lengthwise, or the cornea is too steeply curved. As a result, light cannot focus directly on the retina, leading to blurred distance vision.

Myopia is a common vision problem, affecting nearly 45% of Americans. While some individuals have mild myopia with minor symptoms, moderate to severe myopia increases the risk of complications, including eye diseases that can cause vision loss later in life.

Related post: 5 Ways to Slow Myopia as a Teenager

What are Myopia Management Therapies?

Myopia is on the rise worldwide, and by 2050, it is estimated that half of the global population may be myopic, with nearly 10% experiencing high myopia, which can lead to complications such as retinal detachments, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Myopia typically develops in childhood, between the ages of 6 and 14, and progresses until early adulthood. Early intervention is crucial in slowing myopia progression, as it can significantly reduce the risk of vision impairment as myopic individuals age.

Myopia management therapies aim to slow the progression of myopia, but they cannot reverse or cure the condition. Ongoing monitoring and adjustments to the treatment plan may be necessary to ensure optimal results.

What are the Types of Myopia Management?

Atropine eye drops: Low concentrations of atropine eye drops (typically 0.01% to 0.05%) have been found to slow down myopia progression with minimal side effects. These drops relax the eye’s focusing mechanism, reducing eye strain during near-vision tasks.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses: Ortho-K involves wearing specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea temporarily. This allows for clear vision during the day without needing glasses or contact lenses. This treatment has shown promising results in slowing myopia progression.

Related article: How Does Myopia Stabilize with Ortho-K Lenses?

Multifocal contact lenses: These lenses have multiple prescriptions in a single lens, providing clear vision for near and distant objects. The center of the lens corrects vision, while the outer rings help focus peripheral light rays, slowing eye growth.

Who Can Benefit from Myopia Management Therapies?

Myopia management therapies offer a proactive approach to managing nearsightedness, particularly in children and adolescents. Individuals aged 16 or younger are considered prime candidates.

While it’s recommended to begin myopia management therapies during early childhood, older children and teenagers can also experience positive outcomes, provided they are responsible enough to adhere to the treatment and hygiene regimens, particularly with contact lenses.

Myopia management offers noninvasive, painless, and convenient treatments tailored to individual needs. Perhaps most importantly, it can significantly reduce the risk of developing the eye conditions that threaten vision while also preventing the need for high prescriptions in the future.

Are There Side Effects Associated With Myopia Management Therapies?

While myopia management therapies are generally well-tolerated, there are some potential side effects to be aware of. The efficacy and safety of myopia management therapies have been extensively studied, and the benefits typically outweigh the possible risks. Some of the potential side effects include:

• Discomfort or irritation: Some individuals, especially those using contact lens-based treatments, may experience initial discomfort or irritation as they adjust to the lenses.
• Infection or inflammation: While rare, improper use of contact lenses, improper hygiene or eye drops can lead to infection or inflammation.
• Allergic reactions: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to the materials used in contact lenses or the preservatives in eye drops.
• Visual disturbances: Treatments like multifocal lenses and orthokeratology may temporarily affect contrast sensitivity or peripheral vision, which typically adjusts over time.
• Rebound effect: With atropine eye drop treatment, there is a possibility of a rebound effect, where myopia progression accelerates if the treatment is stopped abruptly. Gradual stopping is recommended to mitigate this risk.

Which Factors Influence Myopia Management Therapy Choice?

It’s important to discuss any limitations with your eyecare practitioner. For example, individuals with certain eye conditions or allergies may not be suitable candidates for some myopia management therapies. The cost of different myopia management therapies can also vary, impacting which therapy is feasible for you.

The effectiveness of specific treatments can vary depending on the individual’s age and the degree of myopia. For instance, younger children may respond differently to treatments compared to teenagers, and higher levels of myopia might require more aggressive or a combination of different management strategies.

The chosen therapy should align with the individual’s lifestyle and ability to comply with the treatment plan. For example, some treatments like Orthokeratology may be more suitable for active individuals, while others may better suit those with a more sedentary lifestyle.

Slowing Myopia Progression for Lifelong Clear Sight

The prevalence of myopia is increasing globally, and it requires proactive management through myopia management therapies. Early intervention is crucial to slow progression and reduce the risk of complications like cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.

Through the range of therapies available, personalized treatment plans, and regular monitoring, individuals with myopia can enjoy long-term eye health and rest easy knowing that their vision in their later years is protected.