MYOPIA CONTROL
Myopia (short sightedness) is becoming far more prevalent amongst children, and it’s estimated that by the year 2050, roughly half of the world’s population will be myopic. Some children have a continual progression of their myopia throughout their school years – often only stabilising when they have achieved full growth/adulthood.
Children are more likely to have progressive myopia if:
One or both parents are myopic
Being of East Asian ethnic origin
Spending limited time outdoors/lots of close/computer work
Developing myopia before nine years old may significantly increase the risk of developing high myopia
Not only does myopia progression means that the spectacles get thicker and heavier as they increase in strength, and that your child becomes more dependent on them as they are increasingly unable to see without them, but there are eye health benefits of limiting the progression and end stage prescription. Myopia management may reduce the risk of your child developing myopia related sight loss in adulthood. We now have several methods open to us to limit the progression of myopia.
MYOPA MANAGEMENT CONTACT LENSES
There are two types of contact lenses available:
Soft specialist daily contact lenses – which need to be worn for about 10-12 hours a day for at least 6 days a week. Spectacles are required when contact lenses are not worn. The contact lenses can be fitted from as young as 8 years old. They go up to a -6.00 prescription and the direct debit is £45pm.
Ortho K/EyeDream lenses – These are ‘hard’ lenses which are worn overnight. The lens gently reshapes the cornea (front of the eye) altering the prescription so that spectacles/contacts are not required during the day. These lenses are worn every night for a minimum of 8 hours. Additional spectacles are not required. These lenses can be fitted from the age of 8 and manage myopia (short sightedness) up to -4.50 and astigmatism up to -1.50. Click here to learn more.
MYOPIA MANAGEMENT SPECTACLE LENSES
If your child would prefer glasses instead of contact lenses, we are proud to offer two different advanced spectacle lenses as an alternative - MiYOSMART and Stellest.
From HOYA, the MiYOSMART lenses are an innovative spectacle lens incorporating ‘DIMs’ technology (defocus incorporated multiple segments). Worn full time, they are lightweight, impact resistant and go up to a -10.00 prescription.
Stellest lenses from Essilor also aim to slow the progression of Myopia. Thanks to their H.A.L.T technology, research suggests that Stellest lenses can slow down myopia progression by 67% on average when compared to single vision lenses.
The initial set-up fee for MiYOSMART or Stellest lenses is £195 which includes the NHS voucher and a basic frame, thereafter a direct debit payment of £45pm.
All follow-up appointments are included together with new lenses every 12 months or sooner if there is a prescription change. A second pair can be purchased at a special price of £100 which includes a basic frame.
All the above monthly direct debits include any NHS sight tests and vouchers applicable. No method is guaranteed to work, but research shows an average of 60% slowing down of Myopia progression.