Myopia, or nearsightedness, affects millions and poses risks beyond blurred vision, including serious eye diseases. While traditional eyewear offers temporary relief, innovative myopia control methods, such as specialized contact lenses and non-surgical treatments, promise to slow progression and mitigate complications. Delve into these advancements to discover effective strategies for managing myopia and safeguarding eye health.
Understanding Myopia and Its Impact
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a prevalent refractive error where distant objects appear blurry due to the elongation of the eye. This condition not only affects vision but can also lead to serious eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts if left unmanaged (source). Traditional eyeglasses and contact lenses can correct vision but do not address the underlying issue of eye elongation. As a result, there is a growing interest in myopia control methods that can slow its progression and reduce the risk of associated complications.
Exploring Contact Lens Options for Myopia Correction
Contact lenses have emerged as a popular non-surgical option for managing myopia, offering both vision correction and myopia control. Soft myopia control contact lenses are designed to slow the progression of myopia by incorporating areas of distance refractive error correction and treatment zones that provide myopic defocus or modulate higher order aberrations (source). These lenses are based on studies showing that myopic retinal defocus inhibits axial elongation, a key factor in myopia progression.
There is a wide variety of soft myopia control contact lenses available, including designs such as center-distance, center-near, progressive, stepped, concentric, and Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) lenses. These designs vary in how they distribute power across the lens, impacting their effectiveness in controlling myopia (source). Notable examples include MiSight 1-Day, Abiliti 1-Day, and Relax, among others. These lenses are customizable to fit individual patient anatomy, allowing for a broader range of prescriptions.
MiSight® 1 Day: A Leading Option
MiSight® 1 day contact lenses are the first and only FDA-approved soft contact lenses designed to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment. These lenses have been clinically proven to reduce myopia progression by 59% on average over a three-year period, making them a significant option for managing myopia in children (source). The clinical data supporting MiSight® 1 day lenses includes a three-year randomized clinical trial where children wearing these lenses showed a 59% slower progression of myopia compared to those wearing traditional single vision lenses.
MiSight® 1 day lenses are designed for daily wear and must be discarded after each use. They are indicated for children with non-diseased eyes, aged 8-12, with a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters and ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lenses are not intended for overnight wear and should not be exposed to water while worn (source).
Other Non-Surgical Myopia Treatments
In addition to contact lenses, other non-surgical myopia treatments include atropine eye drops and orthokeratology (Ortho-K). Atropine eye drops are clinically proven to slow myopia progression by temporarily relaxing the eye’s focusing mechanism. They are simple to use, ideal for children who may not be comfortable with contact lenses, and have minimal side effects, such as mild light sensitivity (source).
Orthokeratology involves wearing specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea, providing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or daytime contacts. It is non-invasive, reversible, and particularly beneficial for active individuals or those seeking freedom from daytime eyewear (source).
Why You Should Learn More About Myopia Contact Lenses Today
Understanding and managing myopia is crucial for maintaining long-term eye health and preventing serious complications. With a variety of contact lens options available, including FDA-approved solutions like MiSight® 1 day, individuals have effective tools to slow myopia progression. Additionally, non-surgical treatments such as atropine eye drops and orthokeratology offer alternative methods for managing this condition. Consulting with an optometrist can provide personalized guidance to determine the most suitable myopia control strategy based on individual needs and lifestyle. By exploring these options, individuals can take proactive steps to protect their vision and enhance their quality of life.