What is Myopia?
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is when distant objects appear blurry. It occurs if the eye grows too long, or the front of the eye is too curved. Think of it like a projector that's a bit too far from the screen – the image just won’t appear clear. Myopia in children is now a global concern. About 50% of the world’s population is predicted to be myopic by the year 2050, while the number of Australian 12-year-olds with myopia has doubled in just six years.
Slowing Down Myopia Progression
Although myopia cannot be reversed, its progression can be slowed with early intervention and appropriate treatment.
REDUCING NEAR WORK:
Increased time spent on close-up activities like reading or using digital devices is associated with faster progression of myopia. Taking regular breaks every 20 minutes from screen-time and reading may help reduce this risk.
INCREASING OUTDOOR TIME:
Evidence shows that spending more time outdoors helps delay or sometimes prevent the onset of myopia, and may slow its progression.
MYOPIA TREATMENTS:
Treatments that have been shown to slow the progression of myopia include:
- Specialised spectacle or contact lenses designed for myopia management
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the eye
- Low-dose atropine eye drops, which are effective in slowing excessive eye growth
These treatments do not cure myopia, but can help reduce the rate at which it progresses, thereby lowering the risk of associated complications later in life.
HOYA MiYOSMART
Most spectacle lenses today only correct vision by providing clear and sharp vision, but they don’t help slow down the progression of myopia.
That’s why HOYA developed MiYOSMART spectacle lenses, an innovative treatment solution that not only gives your child clear vision but also helps slow down myopia progression. It’s a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment that works while your child sees clearly every day.
A 2-year clinical study found that wearing MiYOSMART spectacle spectacle slow myopia progression by an average of 60%, compared to standard single vision spectacle lenses.3 These results were consistent across children of both Asian and European origins. An 8-year follow-up clinical study showed that the benefits of MiYOSMART spectacle lenses were maintained long-term, proving their effectiveness in managing myopia over time.
MiYOSMART spectacle lenses use the revolutionary D.I.M.S. Technology to correct the myopic refractive error and provide clear vision. D.I.M.S. Technology is a honeycomb-shaped segment treatment zone (‘defocus zone’) to slow down myopia progression, and a clear zone (‘focus zone’) with your child’s prescription. This means that MiYOSMART spectacle lenses not only correct myopia by providing visual clarity in the focus zone, but slow down its progression in the defocus zone, by reducing the trigger for the eye to grow.
J&J Abiliti Contact Lenses
The new ACUVUE® Abiliti® 1-Day Soft Therapeutic Lenses for Myopia Management, from Johnson & Johnson is the first daily disposable soft contact lenses specifically designed for a child’s eye. They have a smaller diameter to fit smaller eyes and are made from silicone hydrogel material to provide optimum oxygen for children’s eyes. Abiliti® 1-Day can help slow the progression of myopia in myopic children who start treatment aged 7-12 years old. These lenses are designed to provide crisp, clear vision with freedom from glasses.
Abiliti® 1-Day features RingBoost™ technology, with specialised rings on the lens, that work to split light as it enters the eye. This is designed to slow myopia progression while correcting vision at the same time. Abiliti® 1-Day are daily disposable lenses so they are easy to care for and wear.
Book an eye test
Regular eye tests are vital for early diagnosis as many eye conditions may be symptom-free for some time.
Eye health changes with age, and early detection helps protect your vision for the years ahead.
Book your next eye test with your trusted local, independent optometrist.
