MYOPIA CONTROL WHAT IS MYOPIA?

Myopia, also known as near-sightedness, is the lengthening of the eyeball. This happens naturally as you grow from birth to your teens. However, sometimes the eyeball lengthens beyond a normal size and you need eyeglasses or contacts to correct your vision. In the last three decades, myopia has continued to steadily increase. In the US, around 30% of teens are myopic, including 90% of the Asian population.

Besides ortho-k, Golden Vision also offers atropine eyedrops to slow down the progression of myopia. These eyedrops can be used alone, or alongside other myopia control treatment methods. They are especially effective on children with high prescriptions when used alongside ortho-k, as this combination can be almost 100% effective in stopping the progression of myopia.

Golden Vision also offers Myopia Education to its patients to help slow down the progression of myopia naturally. We educate children on how to preserve their eyes with eye relaxation techniques and better visual hygiene. This education includes advice on taking breaks when reading, using technology at a certain distance, being active outdoors, and more. Often, this education will be combined with ortho-k or atropine drops for the most effective results.

LASIK is not an option for children, so they will need glasses, contacts, or myopia control treatment such as ortho-k to see clearly during the day. Furthermore, while LASIK will correct an adult’s prescription, it does not affect the length of the eyeball. This means that you are at the same risk for eye diseases such as retinal detachment, macular degeneration, and glaucoma with or without LASIK surgery. Myopia control for children and teens is about preventing the lengthening of the eyeball and high prescription in the first place, in order to decrease this risk of eye disease.