Myopia is a topic very personal to Bella. Now having the knowledge to educate and share the latest advancements, we offer Myopia Management solutions at The Eye Galleria.
WHAT IS MYOPIA?
Myopia = Short-Sightedness
Myopia causes objects further away to be blurrier than objects nearby.
It typically occurs when the eyeball grows too quickly in childhood.
Myopia can rapidly worsen, particularly in younger children, because their eyes are growing at a faster rate.
The prevalence and severity of myopia is growing, it's expected to affect more than 50% of the world's population by 2050.
Myopia usually requires glasses or contact lenses too see details, for instance on a whiteboard or the TV.
Spot the signs of Myopia:
- Headaches
- Tired Eyes
- Regular rubbing of the eyes
- Needing to sit close to screens, such as the TV
- Struggling to see the whiteboard from a distance
HOW MYOPIA COULD AFFECT YOUR CHILD TODAY & IN THE FUTURE
As myopia gets worse, it can impact quality of life.
This is because children become increasingly dependent on vision correction to fully participate in school, sports, and other daily activities.
As Myopia increases so does the reliance on vision correction for everyday activities and there is an increased risk to future eye health.
Myopia can lead to more serious eye health problems later in life, including:
- Myopic Maculopathy
- Retinal Detachment
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
There is a link to modern lifestyles, reduced outdoor activity, increased near-vision activities and screen time - but genetics also plays a part.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
REGULAR EYE EXAMS
Just like you grow every birthday, your eyes continue to change as you get older.
Regular eye exams help to spot any changes that could make it hard for you to see and can help keep your eyes healthy for the future.
TIPS AND TRICKS TO HELP YOUR EYES:
1. GO OUTSIDE!
From going to the park to riding your bike, looking at objects far away in the distance gives your eyes a chance to relax.
2. SCREEN-FREE TIME!
All the time spent in front of bright screens can strain your eyes.
It's time to step away from the tablet...and the computer, the TV and the Smartphone too.
3. KEEP OBJECTS AT A DISTANCE
We know it's tempting to curl up close to your screen but there is some evidence that this could increase the chance of myopia.
We suggest keeping devices and books at least the same distance as your knuckle to your elbow.
4. SOAK UP SLEEP
Having a good night's sleep can help with myopia.
5. SPECIAL MYOPIA MANAGEMENT GLASSES & CONTACT LENSES
You can now get special Glasses and Contact Lenses that not only help you to see clearly, but can slow down how quickly your sight may change.
The above includes information to help you understand things you can do, but as always, Bella will explain anything individually relevant in more detail during your examination.
Essilor Stellest Spectacle lenses
Stellest lenses are Essilor's game changing innovation to slow down myopia progression in children.
Stellest lenses are designed with 2 ingeniously complementary parts that, when combined, have a powerful effect.
The single vision zone in the lens carries the child's prescription and corrects the vision.
A constellation of concentric rings / lenslets carries light rays to create a volume of non-focussed light in front of the retina.
This slows down the elongation of the eye as the child grows and keeps the myopic progression in check.
This pioneering technology is the cumulation of more than 30 years of academic studies, product design, rigorous research efforts, and collaborating with the top research institutes and myopia experts.
Stellest Benefits
- Gives your child vision as sharp as with single vision lenses
- Slows down Myopia progression by 67% on average when worn for 12 hours a day
- Aesthetic, safe and simple
- Children adapt to these high-tech lenses quickly - 97% within three days and 100% within a week
MiSight 1 day Contact Lenses
Child-friendly daily disposable contact lenses proven to slow down the progression of myopia in children.
Approved for use in many countries around the world and tested in children aged 8-18 years.
ActivControl Technology in MiSight 1 day contact lenses is a special optical design that can provide clear vision while also reducing the signal that's telling the eye to grow too long.
MiSight Benefits
- Convenient daily disposable contact lenses - no need to clean or store them
- Ideal for active children
- Clinically proven aged 8 +
- Can allow children to feel more competent when taking part in sport and other physical activities
