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MYOPIA CONTROL CLINIC
what is myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the difficulty seeing things far away. It usually occurs when the eyeball is too long, making objects in the distance out of focus. The longer the eyeball, the harder it is to see things that are far away.
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Myopia typically begins in childhood and is progressive over time stabilizing around our late teens to early 20s. Thus, the earlier it begins, the higher prescription and the longer the eyeball once it stabilizes.
Age of onset and degree of myopia matter; If myopia begins before the age of 9, it is more likely to progress faster and reach higher levels.
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Due to children spending less time outdoors and increased time on screens, myopia is on the rise and becoming an epidemic. By 2050, it is estimated that 50% of the world's population will be myopic.
why does myopia need to be controlled?
Myopia is a progressive condition of the eye. Myopia progression is typically the result of eyeball lengthening. Having a longer than average eyeball may pose serious risk to your eyesight.
Higher levels of myopia, and in turn longer eyeball lengths, are associated with higher risks of eye diseases like glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration (loss of central vision), retinal detachment and cataract later in life.​
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The aim of Myopia Management is to control and sometimes halt the progression of myopia and in turn, drastically reduce one's risk of vision loss later in life
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Genetics
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Neither parent myopic = low risk
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One parent myopic = 3x the risk
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Both parents myopic = 6x the risk
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Your environment
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Time spent outside
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Low risk = 2.7+ hours outside daily
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Medium risk = 1.6-2.7 hours outside daily
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High risk = <1.6 hours outside daily (2-3x increased risk)
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Time spent doing near tasks (reading, computer, tablet, phone etc)
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Low risk = 0-2 hours
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Medium risk = 2-3 hours (around 2 times the risk)
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High risk = 3+ hours (2-3 times increased risk)
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what causes myopia development and progression?
The two big factors leading to myopia development and progression are your GENETICS and your ENVIRONMENT.
GENETICS:
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Neither parent myopic = low risk
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One parent myopic = 3x the risk
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Both parents myopic = 6x the risk
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ENVIRONMENT:
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Time spent outside (the MOST important modifiable risk factor)
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Low risk = 2.7+ hours outside daily
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Medium risk. = 1.6-2.7 hours outside daily
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High risk = <1.6 hours outside daily (2-3x increased risk)
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Time spent doing near tasks (reading, computer, tablet, phone etc)
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Low risk = 0-2 hours
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Medium risk = 2-3 hours (around 2 times the risk)
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High risk = 3+ hours (2-3 times increased risk)
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how can myopia be controlled?
Fortunately, new research shows that there may be ways we can SLOW DOWN THE PROGRESSION of myopia. Myopia can be controlled with the help of specialty contacts, glasses and eyedrops along with modifications to your environment.Everyone and every situation of myopia is different; once you are examined thoroughly, recommendations will be CUSTOMIZED to best suit you and your degree of myopia.
The following are general ways we manage myopia at YFEA:
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METHODS OF CONTROL
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atropine eye drops​
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multifocal soft disposable contact lenses​
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orthokeratology hard contact lenses
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specially designed bifocal glasses
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ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS
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spend time outside everyday for a MINIMUM of 2 hours
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limit screen time and near time (outside of school) to 2 hours a day
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take regular breaks from screens and near tasks (change your focus every 20-30 min)