Myopia is one of the conditions identified by the World Health Organisation as a potential cause of blindness. It is currently estimated that Myopia affects 30% of the world’s population, and this number is projected to be nearly 50% by 2050. Projected increases are widely considered to be driven by environmental factors such as decreased outdoors time, increased near work, and high pressure educational systems especially at young ages.
MYOPIA
MANAGEMENT
SHORT SIGHTEDNESS
GENETIC FACTORS
Did you know that the risk of Myopia is increased if it already exists within parents? If one of your parents has Myopia, you are 3x more likely to develop it, and if both of your parents have Myopia you are 6x more likely.
GENETIC VS ENVIRONMENT
Strong evidence that higher prevalence of myopia is the result of adaption to rapid and environmentally induced changes associated with increased education and urbanization.
MYOPIA MANAGEMENT
Spectacles – Using peripheral defocus or peripheral reduced contrast technologies for reducing the progression of childhood myopia without the need for contact lenses.
Orthokeratology – Contact lenses that are worn overnight, which can slow the rate of progression of myopia, as well as allowing freedom from spectacles or contact lenses through the day.
Soft Contact Lenses – There are now a number of modalities of scientifically proven day wear soft contact lenses that reduce the progression of myopia in children.
Low dose Atropine 0.01-0.05% – Shows best results in studies but not commercially available in the UK at this time. This is often used in combined therapies.
All Myopia Management methods can reduce the myopia progression by up to 60%.
At TK&S we are a specialist Myopia Management centre and offer all methods of treatment currently available in the UK.
At TK&S we are able to offer multiple treatment options dependent on your child’s eyes and needs. Alongside specialist Myopia Management, what else can you do to reduce myopia risk?
- Spend time outdoors (Ideally 2+ hours per day)
- Reduce time doing close-up tasks (also take regular breaks)
- Don’t hold things too close
- Ensure good lighting when reading indoors
Preventing the start of Myopia is now shown to be crucial in the reduction of the final myopia amount, so be vigilant and pay attention to the points above.
We are proud to be a supporter of myopiafocus.org and the change.org/myopiafocus campaign.