Myopia Control

Understanding Myopia
& Myopia Control

While myopia (shortsightedness) has not been considered to be an eye disease, it is now commonly appreciated that increased levels of myopia result in a greater risk of retinal detachments and macular disease.

In the past, there have been numerous attempts to limit the development of myopia such as restricting the wearing of spectacles to only when it was essential, the use of bifocals to limit the effect of close work and a range of eye exercises which were reported to “improve sight”. However, none of these techniques were demonstrated to be effective.

Myopia & Ortho K

The wearing of rigid contact lenses was considered anecdotally to have a limited effect on reducing the progression of myopia.

One of the earliest techniques which was demonstrated to reduce the progression of myopia was Orthokeratology, abbreviated as Ortho K which we have been utilising in this practice for the past 15 years. Ortho K is a technique in which a rigid contact lens is worn overnight to reshape the cornea (front surface of the eye) allowing the user to have clear vision during the day without the use of contact lenses.

Treating Myopia

Subsequent research has demonstrated that adjusting the peripheral focus of the eye does limit the progression of myopia as occurs in Ortho K.

As a result, a variety of lenses has been developed including specialised spectacles which adjust the peripheral focus while retaining clear central vision.

A number of soft lenses have similarly been developed utilising the same.

Controlling Myopia

While we have access to all these techniques, the appropriate method is determined by the ocular condition and patient preferences.

The benefit of limiting the development of myopia reduces its disabling effect of blurred distance vision as well as reducing the secondary consequences of retinal detachment and macular disease.

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Suffering from shortsightedness?

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