Myopia

The Future Of Contact Lenses

Most of us are familiar with the standard function of contact lenses: to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. But recent academic reports present a glimpse into the future of contact lenses, and how they’re going beyond replacing prescription eyeglasses.

Myopia Control

In 2019, the FDA approved the first soft contact lenses designed to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children. These innovative contact lenses are multifocal and have been shown to be safe and effective in children as young as 8 years old.

What implications does this have in the eye care world?

Widespread use of contact lenses for myopia management could eventually reduce the number of people with high levels of myopia and, consequently, decrease the amount of myopia-related ocular disease in the future.

From the optometrists’ perspective, innovations like multifocal contact lenses encourage eye doctors to stay on top of emerging technologies and research, and incorporate them into routine eye exams.

Managing Ocular Diseases

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, and new contact lens technology that is available in some parts of the world is helping patients manage their condition.

These cutting-edge contacts use microelectronic technology to continuously monitor the wearer’s inner eye pressure — crucial information for glaucoma patients.

Scientists are also currently developing contact lenses that release lubricants onto the surface of the eye to treat dry eye syndrome.

Eye Allergies

You may have experienced the irritation, redness, itchiness and watery eyes that accompany eye allergies. Relief may be found in a new type of contact lens that contains a slow-release drug-delivery system. These contact lenses are available in Japan and Canada, where they have already been approved for use, and have been shown to significantly reduce patients’ eye allergy symptoms for up to 12 hours.

Many of the contact lenses mentioned above are still in their testing phases and aren’t yet available to the public in most countries. However, myopia management contact lenses are widely available in the United States, so speak with your optometrist for more information.

The hope for a clearer and brighter future is strong with these innovative medical devices.

Our optometric team stays up-to-date with emerging research and technologies for optimal patient care. To schedule your eye exam, call Vision MD Eye Doctors in Glenn Dale today!

At Vision MD Eye Doctors, we put your family’s needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 301-779-0844 or book an appointment online to see one of our Glenn Dale eye doctors.

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Q&A:

How often do you need an eye exam?

It’s recommended that adults have a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years, and annually after the age of 65. If you wear glasses or are at risk of developing any eye conditions, your eye doctor may recommend more frequent exams.

Who is a candidate for myopia management contact lenses?

Nearsighted children aged 8 and up, teens and young adults with mild to moderate myopia are candidates for myopia management. Speak with one of our staff members to determine whether myopia management is right for you or your child.

Childhood Myopia Is in Crisis Mode on a Global Scale

When it comes to the prevalence of myopia (nearsightedness), the statistics are staggering. By 2050, nearly half of the world’s population—about 5 billion people—will be myopic. Below are a few useful tips to help you prevent your child from being part of that statistic.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eye elongates, causing light rays to focus in front of the light-sensitive retina rather than directly on it, while looking at something far away. So, people with nearsightedness perceive distant objects as blurred while close-up objects can remain clear.

Myopia tends to develop during childhood, when the eyeballs rapidly grow (along with the rest of the body), mainly between the ages of 8-18. It can worsen slowly or quickly, but it is not simply an inconvenience. People with progressive myopia are more likely to develop serious eye diseases like cataracts, retinal detachment, macular degeneration and glaucoma later in life—conditions which may lead to permanent loss of vision and even blindness.

How To Know Whether Your Child Is Myopic

Below are some telltale signs to watch for:

Blurred distance vision – Objects in the distance are blurred; kids may complain that they can’t see the board
Headaches – When myopia isn’t corrected, it can cause eye strain and headaches.
Head tilting or squinting – If your child squints or tilts his or her head while watching TV, for example, it may be a symptom of myopia.
Looking at objects too closely – If you notice your child moving closer to the TV or squinting as they try to see the writing on the board, it may indicate myopia.

What Parents Can Do to Slow Their Child’s Myopia Progression

Encourage your child to go outdoors for at least 90 minutes a day, preferably in the sunshine. Studies show that playing outdoors reduces the risk of developing myopia and slows its progression.
Limit the amount of time your child spends staring at a screen, reading and doing close work such as homework.
When your child uses a digital screen, make sure that it isn’t too close to the face.
Teach the 20-20-20 rule: During screen time, take a break every 20 minutes to look at an object across the room or out the window about 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How is myopia diagnosed?

A: Your child’s eye doctor will perform a thorough pediatric eye exam to diagnose myopia, which often includes a visual acuity test, where the eye doctor will use an eye chart made up of letters of varied sizes. If the test results indicate myopia, then the optometrist may shine a light into their eyes and evaluate the reflection off the retina to determine the degree of refractive error for their prescription.

Q: Can myopia lead to blindness?

A: High myopia may increase your child’s risk of developing more serious eye conditions later in life, such as cataracts, retinal detachment and glaucoma. Left untreated, high myopia complications can sometimes lead to blindness—which is why routine eye exams are critical.

Quality Frames For Prescription Eyeglasses & Computer Glasses In Glenn Dale, Maryland. Visit Vision MD Eye Doctors for an eye exam and eyeglasses that match your style.

How Can My Child’s Myopia Be Corrected?

At Vision MD Eye Doctors, we help children like yours achieve clear and comfortable vision, so they can succeed at the important things in life.

Methods of Myopia Correction

Contact Lenses

Contacts can be a great choice, especially for physically active children or teens who don’t want to worry about breaking or misplacing their eyeglasses. In some cases of very high myopia, contact lenses can offer clearer vision than glasses.

Corrective contact lenses are usually placed in the eyes upon waking and removed at night before bedtime. There are several types, including: soft contacts, daily disposables, extended wear, and rigid gas permeable (hard) lenses. Navigating through the differences between them can be daunting. Fortunately, if you’re located in Glenn Dale our eye doctor will be happy to guide you. Speak with Dr. Saya Nagori to determine whether your child is ready for contact lenses.

Prescription Glasses

Glasses are a popular choice among our younger patients. Choosing from an array of styles makes the process fun and exciting! Allowing the children to be active participants in selecting their eyewear increases the likelihood that they’ll actually wear them. There are strong, flexible and resilient frames which look great and are comfortable too.

The optician can customize the lenses with additions and upgrades like impact-resistant or shatter-proof materials, scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings, UV filters, and transition lenses that darken in the sun. For those requiring vision correction for distance and near, we also offer bifocal or multifocal lens prescriptions.

Vision MD Eye Doctors Eye Clinic and Myopia, Nearsightedness and Children in Glenn Dale, MD

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Our Glenn Dale eye doctor has prepared the following answers to your questions about eye disease.

We Can Help Correct Your Child’s Myopia

If you’re located near Glenn Dale, MD, an eye exam with our optometrist can determine your child’s exact prescription, and give you the opportunity to receive answers to any questions you may have about your child’s eye health and vision. Progressive myopia, where a growing child’s prescription continues to worsen, is why it’s important for myopic children to undergo eye exams at least once a year.

Local Myopia, Nearsightedness, and Children in Glenn Dale, MD

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At Vision MD Eye Doctors, our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to recommend the most suitable method of correcting your child’s myopia to meet his or her individual needs. Thanks to the wide range options available, your child will walk away with eyewear that will not only enhance his or her style but will also be a boost of confidence.

Let us help your child see the world in a whole new light. To schedule your child’s annual eye exam or if you have any further questions, contact Vision MD Eye Doctors at 301-779-0844 today.

Call Vision MD Eye Doctors on 301-779-0844 to schedule an eye exam with our Glenn Dale optometrist.

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