Andy Sanders
Professional Services Director, Hoya Lens (UK & Ireland)
Myopia is a relatively common condition among growing children, but if left uncorrected it can lead to potentially serious sight issues.
Myopia, sometimes called short-sightedness or near-sightedness, is a relatively common condition among growing children. It typically presents as blurred distance vision and if left uncorrected it can lead to potentially serious sight issues and in rare cases can even cause blindness. Other issues include the risk of retinal detachment, cataracts and an increased risk of glaucoma.
Optical expert Andy Sanders warns: “Myopia is also associated with an increased risk of retinal deterioration, where the seeing part of the eye becomes damaged because the eyeball is elongating.”
At present, myopia prevalence is currently believed to be about 25% worldwide but is forecast to reach 50% by 2050.
Myopia management
Mr Sanders, who is Professional Services Director for Hoya Lens (UK & Ireland), explains that there are several triggers for myopia, including some that still remain unclear. “One trigger we know that drives myopia is genetics,” he says. “If one parent is myopic, their child is three times more likely to become myopic and if both parents are myopic, it is six times more likely.”
While myopia is a condition that starts in childhood as their eyes grow, there are steps that can be taken to offset the impact of its progression.
Children spending more time outdoors where their eyes are focussing at longer distances may help in management of the condition. They should also take regular near work breaks, including screen breaks and ensure they have regular eye examinations.
Ultimately, glasses and or contact lenses would be required to correct the child’s vision. However, there are now treatment options available that can not only correct vision but they can help to slow down the myopia progression and reduce the associated risks.
Unique lens structure
HOYA has developed an innovative spectacle lens option, called MiYOSMART. Using cutting edge technology, that both corrects vision whilst simultaneously offering a treatment function to manage the myopia progression.
Mr Sanders says the unique lens structure – with a central area that gives full prescribed myopic correction and a honeycomb structure of ‘micro-lenslets’ in the treatment area – can slow the growth of the eyeball and provide clear vision. “All the technology is hidden as the lens looks like a standard single vision spectacle lens.
‘MiYOSMART’ is non-invasive, safe, easy to fit and effective in the management of myopia showing good acceptance and clinically proven to slow down myopia progression.”
In our view, nothing is more important than the health and well-being of your child. Now and into the future, you want to see your child thrive” he concludes.
For more information on MiYOSMART spectacle lenses, speak to your local eye care professional today.
