Myopia Control
Management for short sight.
Is your child struggling to see the board at school? Having difficulty seeing the TV? And even struggling to see when outdoors? If so, your child may have myopia.
Contact Us Now. Call 01509 416800 or Email barrow@visualanswers.co.uk
What is Myopia?
Myopia Explained
Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, is a common eye condition that usually means your eyes are slightly too long in shape. Myopia usually develops in school-age children and teenagers and can sometimes continue to progress during early adulthood. It is generally characterised by having good vision at near distances, such as reading, but blurred vision for further afield such as watching TV or looking at the whiteboard. When myopic, you are more predisposed to certain eye conditions later on in life such as glaucoma, retinal tears and retinal detachments.
Here at Visual Answers, we feel it is important to try and control myopia as soon as possible using advances in spectacle lens and contact lens technology. An early diagnosis not only corrects vision but can also help slow its progression and preserve your child’s vision for the future.
What causes Myopia?
The causes of myopia are multifactorial, involving both environmental and genetic factors. The recent rise in myopia’s prevalence is believed to be the consequence of environmental and lifestyle changes. Decreased time outdoors, increased time spent in education and time spent reading continuously, or long periods of close work have been identified as risk factors for myopia onset or progression. In the midst of our technological age, children are now exposed to another possible environmental risk factor for myopia – digital devices. Smartphones, tablets and computers are widely used at a very early age in both home and school environments.
This radical change in the lifestyle habits of children and young people may pose a new and independent risk factor that could drive myopia even further than is currently predicted. It has been estimated that myopia will affect 5 billion people worldwide by 2050, which is 63% of the current population with the average onset of myopia getting progressively younger.
Why does Myopia Progression Matter so much?
Slowing the progression of myopia may keep your child from developing high levels of short-sightedness that require the wearing of thick corrective glasses.
It may also help reduce the risk of the development of serious sight-threatening eye problems later in life, such as early cataracts, myopic macular degeneration and other eye conditions.
Combatting Myopia
So, how can the progression of myopia be slowed down? At Visual Answers we are continuously evolving and investing in the latest technology and equipment. Advanced spectacle lenses and contact lenses are now available which aim to reduce the rate that your child’s myopia progresses. We aim to manage their short-sightedness with these specialist contact lenses and spectacles, along with lifestyle advice and regular monitoring.
Spectacle Lens MANAGEMENT for Myopia
We recommend spectacle lenses that are clinically proven to slow down the progression of myopia in children. The technology used forms a constellation of invisible lenslets developed with the aim of stopping or slowing down the eye from elongating further and therefore reducing the rate of myopia progression. Clinical studies suggest that by prescribing these particular spectacle lenses, myopia progression can be reduced by up to 67%. These lenses are designed to be safe, impact resistant and have UV protection so they are perfect for active children.
We have always embraced the latest styles for younger eyes with the likes of RayBan, William Morris, Ted Baker and numerous other frames using different material types that allow for more flexibility to withstand the rough and tumble of kids’ lives. Frames come in many shapes, colours and most importantly sizes – allowing us to find the perfect frame and lens combination for your child.
MiyoSmart and Stellest Lens Technology Available at Visual Answers
Contact Lens MANAGEment for Myopia
Myopia control contact lenses are a daily disposable lens that work in a similar way to the spectacle lenses by focussing light in front of the retina. Myopia Control Contact Lenses not only optically correct existing myopia, (providing the wearer with clear distance and near vision) but also slows down the progression of short sightedness.
Myopia control contact lenses are clinically proven to be effective in children from the age of 7 and over. Contact lenses allow the wearers to enjoy clear, spectacle-free vision whilst attempting to reduce the elongation of the eye. These can be used in conjunction with Myopia Control Spectacle Lenses.
These daily disposable specialised contact lenses are fitted similarly to other soft contact lenses. Our expert staff will guide your child by teaching them how to safely and effectively apply and remove the lenses.
Join our contact lens scheme where the price of contact lenses will be reduced and as your child’s eye health will be monitored every 6 months, all appointment fees will be covered too!
Speak to a member of the team for more information.
Myopia Control Contact Lenses Available at Visual Answers.
Is your child interested in trying contact lenses? Book a contact lens fitting appointment today!