Myopia Management

What is myopia? 

Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, is an inability to see objects clearly in the distance Myopia currently affects 1 in 3 of the UK population. Over the last 50 years, the number of short-sighted children in the UK has doubled. By 2050 it is estimated that half the global population will be myopic. 

The condition mostly occurs when the eyeball grows too long in length. This means light can no longer focus at the back of the eye, producing blurry images. 

While myopia often runs in families, it is also influenced by environmental factors including prolonged time indoors and use of screens. 

It can be progressive and those diagnosed at a young age are likely to become increasingly myopic as they grow older. 

What can we do to manage myopia? 

It is difficult to prevent myopia, but there are numerous ways we can slow the progression of it. 

The length of the eye has a strong link to myopia. Black & Lizars have invested in advanced technology which allows us to accurately measure axial length (eyeball length) in order to detect, monitor and manage myopia progression. This technology will allow us to offer targeted treatment options based on a child’s individual needs. 

Go outside 

Research suggests that spending more time in natural outdoor conditions, whether sunny or overcast, reduces myopic change by acting to prevent elongation in the eye. 

Spending at least 2 hours outdoors per day is recommended. 

 Regular breaks from near work 

Ensure that you take a break from near work at least every 30 minutes. When taking a break, it should be to focus into the distance rather than switching from one near task to another 

 Increase working distance 

Ensure that your near working distance is greater than 30cm where possible 

 Treatment at Black & Lizars 

Black & Lizars is ideally placed to help reduce the progression of myopia in children. 

Whilst some optical companies are limited to 1 or 2 options for myopia management, we are delighted to have the equipment, specialist training and products to offer all three forms of myopia management vision correction on the market today. These treatments are proven to slow or in some cases halt the progression of myopia, meaning that your child is much less at risk of developing eye health complications related to myopia as their eyes grow.  

Biometry

A biometer is advanced clinical equipment that can accurately measure the length of an eyeball (axial length)  

A child with a longer than average axial length is at higher risk of developing myopia.  

Our myopia management treatment options attempt to slow how quickly the eye lengthens to control myopia progression. 

By undertaking biometry measurements at every appointment, we can determine the risk of progression and the effectiveness of myopia management treatment more accurately than ever before. 

 Which treatment option should I choose? 

You should have a discussion with your optometrist about which of the following treatment options would suit your child, depending on their spectacle prescription, lifestyle or suitability for contact lenses. 

 Night (Orthokeratology) contact lenses 

Worn at night, these lenses are used to correct myopia so that patients no longer need to wear contact lenses or spectacles during the day. 

They work by reshaping the front of the eye while sleeping. 

When removed after waking, the eye temporarily retains the new shape, providing excellent vision all day. They also have the added benefit of slowing down myopic progression. 

 Day (daily disposable) contact lenses 

 Highly effective and comfortable, these soft, daily disposable lenses have been found to reduce the progression of myopia. 

 They incorporate dual focus technology to control peripheral light rays going into the eye, preventing the eye from elongating further. 

As there is no cleaning or storage required, they have a very low risk of infection. 

Spectacle lenses 

Worn like normal spectacles, these lenses incorporate revolutionary ‘defocus incorporated multiple segments’ or (D.I.M.S) technology to provide full vision correction in the central area and a peripheral treatment zone to simultaneously manage myopia progression. 

 Ask your optometrist about myopia management at your next routine eye exam or contact enquiries@blackandlizars.com to find out more