Progressive Myopia
Progressive myopia is nearsightedness that worsens more than 0.5 diopters year after year. If myopia progresses enough, it can result in high myopia, a severe degree of nearsightedness that increases the risk of developing several serious eye conditions.
Myopia progression can cause eye health problems
- Myopia can worsen due to heredity or excessive near work such as reading or computers
- Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long and most progression occurs before 21 years old
- This can stretch the retina and cause eye health problems sometimes even blindness
- Myopia is permanent and it is important to control the progression of myopia at a young age
- LASIK is an option after 21yo and the prescription is stable for 3 years, but LASIK only corrects up to 12D of myopia and there’s NO way to correct vision loss caused by damage to retina/eye
Our goal is to decrease progression to keep your eyes as healthy as possible.
Ways to Protect Your Vision
Good habits for reading and screens recommended for everyone to reduce eye strain and fatigue.
4 Myopia control treatments to slow progression
Progressive glasses and/or soft contact lenses. Lenses that relax focusing for reading or computers.
Pros: Most affordable and easiest option. They protect against UV. Kids adapt very easily.
Cons: Not the strongest myopia prevention.
FDA approved Myopia control soft contacts. Special soft contacts worn during day that reduce progression.
Pros: Excellent myopia control. Soft, safe and comfortable. Daily disposables are thrown away every day and require no care.
Cons: Kids must be between the ages of 8-12 years old to begin treatment.
FDA approved Ortho-Keratology CRT night contacts. Contact lenses worn at night only to reshape the cornea and correct vision without daytime glasses/contacts.
Pros: Best myopia control. Glasses are not needed during the day if worn every night!
Low dose Atropine eye drops every night relax focusing muscles in the eye.
Pros: Can be used in addition to myopia control glasses and/or contacts.
Cons: Kids dislike eye drops. Drops typically used every night until 18 years old. Drops cause a slight dilation (blurry vision) and long term effects of direct UV exposure are unknown.