Myopia Management & Control By Edmonton Optometrists
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error, or a vision condition that affects the ability to see distant images or objects clearly. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists nearly 30 percent of Canadians, including both children and adults, suffer from myopia. It typically starts during childhood and continues to increase (i.e., worsen) until one reaches the age of 20. While myopia is not a dangerous vision condition, it does increase your child’s risk for developing serious, vision threatening eye diseases later in life. For approximately 10 percent of people with myopia, the condition worsens in severity— and as myopia gets worse, your child’s risk of eye disease increases. Myopia management during childhood can reduce the likelihood of your child developing eye disease and help stabilize corrective eyewear prescriptions. If your child is nearsighted and you would like to know more about how myopia control can benefit their vision and overall well-being, call our optometrists today.
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Treating Myopia & Myopia Control
Myopia Development: Occuring At Earlier Ages & A Faster Rate
The global prevalence of myopia is expected to increase from 27% in 2010 to 52% of the world’s population by 2050. It is estimated that 30 percent of the Canadian population is myopic. In addition to its increased prevalence in Canada, myopia is occurring at earlier ages and progressing at rates faster than seen in previous generations.
Research from the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science and the CNIB Foundation found that myopia in children increases dramatically from Grade 1 to Grade 8, with almost a third of cases going undiagnosed and uncorrected. The research also showed that the onset of myopia is now 6-7 years of age, where historically it began at 12-13 years of age. These figures highlight the importance of annual eye exams for children because without an exam diagnosis and treatment cannot occur.
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Myopia / Nearsightedness
Causes of Myopia
Myopia is believed to result from both genetic and environmental factors. More than 150 genetic variants identified that confer an increased risk of myopia, however the exact mechanisms have yet to be established. A link also exists between time spent outdoors and the development of myopia in children, with increased time outdoors being beneficial. There is ongoing research to determine the main mechanism at work, but population health studies indicate extended up close work contributing to an increased risk of myopia.
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Myopia Increases The Risk Of Diseases & Disorders
| Eye Disease | -2.00 D | -4.00 D | -6.00 D | -8.00 D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myopic Maculopathy | 2.2 X Higher | 9.7 X Higher | 40.6 X Higher | 126.8 X Higher |
| Retinal Detachment | 3.1 X Higher | 9.0 X Higher | 21.5 X Higher | 44.2 X Higher |
| PSC Cataract | 1.6 X Higher | 3.2 X Higher | 5.4 X Higher | 12.3 X Higher |
| Glaucoma | 1.7 X Higher | 2.5 X Higher | 2.5 X Higher | N/A |
Source: Haarman et al. 2020. The Complications of Myopia: A Review and Meta-Analysis. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 61(4): 49.
Myopia / Nearsightedness
Myopia: Signs and Symptoms
If you notice that your child is experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms, please schedudle an eye exam with our Edmonton eye doctors to determine if your child requires corrective eyewear:
- Squinting when reading the board or watching television;
- A preference to sit in close proximity to the TV or computer screen;
- Sitting at the front of the classroom to clearly see the teacher and board;
- Holding books close to the face/eyes;
- Disinterest in playing sports or activities that require clear distance vision
- Reduced clarity of vision, as compared to friends and family.
Myopia Control
Why Typical Eyeglasses May Not Be The Full Solution
Generally, myopia can be corrected by prescription eyewear, contact lenses, or refractive laser surgery, but these therapies fail to prevent the development of vision-threatening ocular conditions associated with moderate and high myopia. Myopia greater than -7 diopters (i.e. Power) places an individual at risk for retinal detachment and myopic macular degeneration, as well as other eye health complications, including glaucoma.
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Myopia Control & Management
Slowing The Advancement Of Myopia
Many eye doctors believe that commonly prescribed single-vision glasses and contact lenses may actually contribute to myopia progression. Studies show that although distance-only glasses and contact lenses improve distance vision clarity, they focus light onto the retina in a way that can actually increase the axial length of the eye. Therefore, myopia management techniques move away from single-vision lenses, and include different methods of myopia correction.
Recent studies suggest that it may be possible to control myopia progression, before it gets worse— to protect children from high risks of eye diseases associated with high myopia. Myopia management is a treatment program prescribed by eye doctors, to completely stop, or at least slow down myopia progression.
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Myopia Management in Edmonton
Myopia Management at Eye-deology Vision Care
The optometrists at eye-deology Vision Care have multiple treatment options to manage myopia. Modern myopia control prescription eyeglass lenses from Hoya (MiYOSMART Lenses), Zeiss (Zeiss Myovision Pro Lenses and MyoKids Lenses), and Essilor (Stellest Lenses), along with myopia control contact lenses from CooperVision (MiSight Contact Lenses) have scientifically demonstrated the ability to stabilize the advanced of myopia in children.
In addition to specialized prescription lenses, myopia management requires quarterly or biannual eye exams to assess your child's visual acuity and the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment in the stabilization of myopia progression.
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Myopia Managment Edmonton
Myopia Management with MiYOSMART Lenses
With the exclusive non-invasive Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) Technology, the MiYOSMART lens corrects the visual defect on its entire surface and has a ring shaped treatment area to slow down myopia progression. The alternation of the focus area and defocus area provides clear vision and manages myopia simultaneously. The MiYOSMART myopia management lens is an award-winning solution designed to slow down the progression of myopia in myopic children and adolescents by up to 59% and its effectiveness have been clinically proven in a 2-year trial.
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Myopia Control in Edmonton
Myopia Managment with MiSight 1 day Contact Lenses
MiSight 1 day with ActivControl™ Technology helps slow the elongation of the eye and reduces myopia progression, while fully correcting refractive error. Addressing axial elongation helps to reduce the risk of myopia-related vision complications later in life, including irreversible vision loss. A three year clinical trial demonstrated that MiSight® 1 day contact lenses reduced the rate of myopia progression by 59% on average, compared to a single vision 1-day lens.
- Two treatment zones create myopic defocus with image focus in front of the retina, rather than behind it to slow axial elongation
- Two correction zones correct myopia in all gaze positions
Myopia Management in Edmonton
Myopia Managment with MyoVision Lenses
The ZEISS MyoVision design applies the principles of Peripheral Defocus Management: the correction of the peripheral “hyperopic shift” affecting myopic eyes sends a signal to the eye to reduce the progression of eye elongation, which can result in the reduction of myopia progression.
The design of the lens ensure that the image is projected onto the retina centrall for optimum vision, but induces myopic defocus in the periphery (for myopia control).
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Children's Eye Care and Eyewear
Child Eye Exams
Provide your child with a bright and clear future by visiting our Edmonton optometrists annually for a comprehensive eye exam.
Children's Glasses
Our Edmonton optical offers a huge selection of eyeglass frames that can be customized to your child's needs.
Anti-Fatigue Glasses
Multitasking and school work can result in strain, tired eyes. Anti-fatigue glasses can keep your eyes relaxed and fresh.
Blue Light Glasses
Maintain healthy sleeping patterns, prevent dry eye symptoms, and reduce eye strain with blue light filtering glasses.
FYEyes Blog Posts
Best Treatments For Myopia
Several treatment options are available for myopia. Each options has its benefits and risks.
What Is Macular Degeneration?
Age-Related Macular degeneration is a serious eye disease that can cause irreversible vision loss.
Farsightedness (Hyperopia)
Nearsightedness, or hyperopia, is one of the most common types of refractive errors requiring correction.
Kids Eye Care Coverage
The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan covers some child eye care services at locations in the province.
Myopia Management FAQ
Our Edmonton Optometrists
Searching for an optometrist in Edmonton? Our experienced Edmonton eye doctors use advanced modern technologies and devote upwards of 500% more time towards providing personalized patient care than elsewhere so that they can see more and ensure that you may never see less. Position yourself to see the future with a visit to our eye clinic and Edmonton's best eye care!
Dr. Jennifer Ash, OD
Dr. Jennifer Ash is the Resident Optometrist at Eye-deology Vision Care. Dr. Ash provides patient care 5 days a week. Read more about Dr. Ash.
Dr. Ruhee Kurji, OD
Dr. Ruhee Kurji is an Associate Optometrist at Eye-deology Vision Care. Dr. Kurji provides patient care Tuesdays & Fridays. Read more about Dr. Kurji.
Dr. Jade McLachlin, OD
Dr. Jade McLachlin is an Associate Optometrist at Eye-deology Vision Care. Dr. McLachlin provides patient care 5 days a week. Read more about Dr. McLachlin.
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