Can Children Benefit From Myopia Control Contact Lenses?
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a growing concern among children worldwide. As this condition progresses, it can lead to more severe eye problems in the future. Myopia control contact lenses have emerged as a potential solution to help manage its progression. This FAQ blog will explore how these specialized lenses can benefit children and offer insights into their effectiveness and safety.
Understanding Myopia in Children
Myopia, or nearsightedness, affects a significant number of children globally. As a refractive error, it causes distant objects to appear blurry while close ones remain clear. This condition tends to develop during childhood and can continue to progress into adulthood.
The prevalence of myopia in children has increased dramatically over the last couple of decades, largely attributed to lifestyle changes such as increased screen time and reduced outdoor activities. Early detection and intervention are crucial as progressive myopia can lead to severe complications, including retinal detachment and glaucoma.
Understanding myopia is essential for parents, as recognizing symptoms early could lead to timely treatment. Symptoms may include squinting, eye strain, or difficulty seeing the board in school. These signs should prompt a visit to an eye care professional.
How Myopia Control Contact Lenses Work
Myopia control contact lenses are specially designed to slow the progression of myopia, or nearsightedness, in children and young adults. Unlike regular contact lenses that simply correct vision, these lenses work by altering the way light enters the eye. The central part of the lens corrects distance vision, while the outer zones create a peripheral blur, which helps signal the eye to slow down its growth. This is important because excessive eye growth is linked to worsening myopia. By managing eye growth in this way, myopia control contact lenses can effectively reduce the rate at which nearsightedness progresses, helping to maintain better long-term eye health and potentially reducing the risk of high myopia and related eye issues later in life.
Benefits of Using Myopia Control Contact Lenses
The primary benefit of myopia control contact lenses is their ability to slow down the progression of myopia in children, potentially reducing the risk of associated eye conditions later in life. Studies have shown that children who wear these lenses can experience up to 50% less progression in their myopia compared to those not wearing specialized lenses.
In addition to their progressive control, these lenses offer children greater freedom and flexibility compared to traditional glasses. Contact lenses can enhance a child's self-esteem and confidence, allowing them to participate more comfortably in sports and other physical activities without the worry of breaking glasses.
Moreover, the convenience of myopia control contact lenses is notable. They require less maintenance and can be more aesthetically pleasing than glasses. This can lead to better compliance among children, making it easier for parents to ensure their child maintains the necessary corrective vision.
Are Myopia Control Contact Lenses Safe for Children?
Safety is a top priority when considering any eye care solution for children. Myopia control contact lenses are designed with the latest technology and materials to ensure they are safe and comfortable for young wearers. Most importantly, they are prescribed by eye care professionals who provide guidance on proper hygiene and handling practices.
It is crucial for parents to ensure that their children are educated on how to care for their lenses properly. This includes washing hands before handling the lenses, cleaning and storing them as instructed, and adhering to wearing schedules. Following these guidelines can significantly minimize the risk of complications such as infections.
Clinical studies indicate that when used and handled appropriately, myopia control contact lenses are considered safe for children. Regular follow-ups with an eye care professional ensure that any potential issues are addressed quickly, ensuring children can benefit from wearing these lenses without added risk.
Types of Myopia Control Contact Lenses
Myopia control contact lenses are available in two primary types, each tailored to manage nearsightedness differently: Corneal Gas Permeable (Hard) Lenses such as Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses, and Soft Lenses including Dual Focus (Daily Disposable) and Multifocal (Monthly) designs.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-k): Ortho-k lenses are special hard lenses that your child wears overnight. While they sleep, the lenses gently reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea) so they can see clearly during the day without needing glasses or contacts. This reshaping effect helps to slow down how quickly the eye grows, which can help manage myopia. Ortho-k lenses are usually replaced once a year and are ideal for children who are highly active or who prefer not to wear anything on their eyes during the day. These lenses work best for children with myopia less than -6.00D and astigmatism less than -1.75D.
Dual Focus Lenses (MiSight by CooperVision): MiSight lenses are soft, daily disposable contact lenses made just for kids. They have a special design with alternating rings that correct vision and help control myopia. The center of the lens helps your child see clearly, while the outer part signals the eye to slow down its growth. Studies show that MiSight lenses can be effective in reducing myopia progression, making them an excellent choice for children starting myopia control. A new pair is used each day, which is convenient and hygienic. However, these lenses are only available for children without astigmatism.
Multifocal Soft Lenses (Biofinity Toric Multifocal by CooperVision): For children who have higher levels of astigmatism (over -2.00D), multifocal lenses like Biofinity Toric Multifocal can be a good option. These monthly replacement lenses have a unique design that corrects vision and creates a peripheral effect to help slow down eye growth. This type of lens is available in both regular and astigmatism-correcting versions, making it a flexible option for children with different vision needs. Children wear these lenses during the day, making them comfortable for kids who are not suited to overnight lenses.
Each option provides myopia control and can be selected based on your child’s specific vision needs and lifestyle.
Myopia Control Consultation
A myopia control consultation is key to understanding all available options and determining the best choice for your child. During this consultation, the eye doctor will perform a thorough myopia control exam to assess the degree of myopia and determine if your child is a good candidate for specialized lenses. They will explain the different types of myopia control lenses, including options for daily or overnight wear, and personalize recommendations based on your child’s vision needs, lifestyle, and age.
At Innovative EyeCare, we measure axial length, or the length of the eye, to monitor changes over time. This measurement is important because myopia progression is often linked to eye growth; by tracking the axial length, we can more accurately assess the effectiveness of myopia control treatments and make adjustments as needed.
Additionally, consultation provides a valuable opportunity for parents to ask questions and address any concerns about contact lens use. With proper guidance and information from an eye care professional, parents can make informed decisions to help protect and support their child’s long-term vision health.
Final Thoughts on Myopia Control for Children
In conclusion, myopia control contact lenses provide a promising option for managing the progression of nearsightedness in children. Parents seeking to improve their child's vision should consider consulting with an eye care professional to determine the best approach tailored to their child's needs.
