Protect your child’s future vision with specialized myopia control in Edmonton. Nearsightedness is more than just blurry vision; it is a progressive condition that can impact long term eye health. Our expert optometrists at Ambleside Family Optometry use advanced clinical methods to slow the progression of myopia and reduce the risk of serious eye diseases later in life.
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, occurs when the eye grows too long or the cornea is too curved. This causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, resulting in blurry distance vision. Myopia rates in children have spiked recently and are now considered a global epidemic. Without effective intervention, high myopia can lead to vision threatening problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, and even blindness later in life. Myopia control is a specialized area of eye care dedicated to slowing this growth during a child's formative years.
The Ambleside Myopia Control Program
Our clinical approach goes beyond a standard eye exam. The first step in our program is a specialized consultation where we perform the following:
- Cycloplegic Refraction: Your child’s eyes are dilated to measure their true prescription without interference from the eye's focusing muscles.
- Axial Length Measurement: We use advanced technology to measure the physical length of the eye. This is the gold standard for tracking myopia, as it allows us to monitor exactly how much the eye is elongating over time.
- Lifestyle Assessment: Dr. Fung and our team discuss your child’s activities and comfort levels to help decide which control option is ideal for their daily life.
- Ongoing Monitoring: After the initial setup, we see your child every 3 to 6 months to measure their axial length and ensure the treatment is effective.
Myopia Control Treatment Options
Thanks to growing research, several proven methods are available to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children:
Atropine Eye Drops
Recent studies found that a low dose of atropine (0.01% to 0.05%) can help slow myopia progression by 50% to 87%. These drops are applied at bedtime. While children using atropine still need glasses to see clearly, this method is an excellent choice for kids who are too young for contact lenses.
Multifocal and Peripheral Defocus Spectacles
Customized spectacle lenses are often the most convenient option for young children. The center of the lens provides clear distance vision, while the outer portion of the lens is designed to control myopia progression. Studies show this method can slow myopia growth by 30% to 60%.
Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses
Also known as peripheral defocus lenses, these work similarly to multifocal glasses but are worn directly on the eye. They have been found to slow myopia development by 46% to 87%. This is a fantastic alternative for active children who prefer not to wear glasses.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Ortho-K involves wearing custom designed contact lenses only while sleeping. These lenses gently reshape the cornea overnight so the child can see clearly throughout the following day without any glasses or contacts. This is a popular option for children involved in sports or swimming.
Why Act Now?
The goal of myopia control is to keep a child's final prescription as low as possible. By slowing the elongation of the eye during childhood, we significantly lower the physical strain on the retina.
- Health Benefits: Lowering the final prescription reduces the lifelong risk of retinal tears and macular degeneration.
- Functional Benefits: Thinner lens prescriptions allow for better peripheral vision and more options for laser eye surgery in adulthood.
- Proactive Care: Myopia control is most effective when started as soon as nearsightedness is detected, typically between the ages of 6 and 12.
Myopia Control FAQs
Is myopia control covered by Alberta Health Care? While the routine part of a child's eye exam is partially covered by Alberta Health Care, the specialized myopia consultation, axial length measurements, and specific treatment materials (like Ortho-K lenses or specialized drops) are typically private pay or covered by supplemental insurance.
At what age should my child start myopia control? Treatment is most effective while the eye is still growing. We generally recommend starting a program as soon as a child shows signs of progressing myopia, often as early as age 6 or 7.
Can my child still play sports during treatment? Yes. In fact, options like Ortho-K or soft contact lenses are specifically designed to give active children more freedom to play sports without the hindrance of glasses.