Myopia Control

Sight is commonly held to be the sense most valued by the general public, which is why Visionary Eye Doctors is committed to preserving your eye health now and in the years to come. Myopia (nearsightedness) has been increasing at an alarming rate and is projected to affect 58 percent of the population by 2050. Our Rockville, MD practice is committed to slowing the advancement of myopia to prevent more severe sight-threatening conditions later in life. If you or a loved one are finding that you squint to see, it’s time to give Visionary Eye Doctors in Rockville a call.

Contact our Rockville, MD office for an eye exam and consultation today at (301) 591-1763. You can also contact us online for more information about our vision services.

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What Is Myopia?

Myopia is more commonly referred to as nearsightedness, an eye condition where objects close appear clear but objects far away are blurry. Myopia is correctable with spectacle glasses or contacts lenses, but must be regularly monitored as the degree can increase with growth and age. The higher the degree of myopia, the more risk of visual impairment due to the increased length of the eye.

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Common Causes of Myopia

The common causes of myopia are genetics and lifestyle. The chances of myopia in children increase when parents are myopic. Statistically, a child has a 1 in 2 chance of developing myopia if both parents are myopic; a 1 in 3 chance if one parent is myopic; and a 1 in 4 chance if neither parent is myopic.

Research shows that modern lifestyles may influence the development of myopia, such as:

Insufficient time spent outdoors.
Increased screen time.
Poor lighting levels.

With the help of Visionary Eye Doctors in Rockville, MD, you can take the next step in protecting your vision, and your health, with routine eye examinations. Call us today at (301) 591-1763.

Prevalent Dangers of Untreated Myopia

The dangers of myopia increase as myopia degree becomes more severe. The prevalence of myopia has been increasing in the past 50 years at an alarming rate, from 25% in 1970 to 40% in 2010, and projected to be 58% by 2050.

Slowing the advancement of myopia prevents high levels of nearsightedness from developing, helping you avoid severe sight-threatening conditions later in life such as retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. The physiological risk of these diseases does not disappear after LASIK either. LASIK only corrects the vision (like glasses or contacts) and does not reverse the length of the eye.

Myopia Control & Treatment Options

Myopia

It is essential for all children to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam before starting kindergarten to assess their risk of myopia, astigmatism, and amblyopia. Lack of spending time outdoors, continuous near activity without a break, near activity in low lighting, and holding material close can contribute to increased risk of myopia and myopia progression.

Costs of Treatment

As myopia progresses, it increases the risk of dangerous disease and becomes a larger financial burden on the patient and family. As the prescription increases so does the cost of the material to make the lens thinner and lighter.

The average patient, with prescription over three diopters, spends $600 per year on frames and lenses. In addition, they may be spending between $250 and $900 on contact lenses annually. Some patients may even need rigid, gas permeable lenses to improve their vision, which can cost over a $1000 a year. With the added cost of yearly medical exam of about $300, and a vision exam of $100, the burden of myopia is both physical and financial.

Learn more about getting ahead of common vision disorders by calling Visionary Eye Doctors in Rockville, MD today at (301) 591-1763.

Controlling & Managing Myopia Symptoms

There is no cure for myopia, but various studies have shown that it is possible to slow down myopia during childhood and adolescence. Different methods have shown varying results over the years. Those methods include the following:

Corneal reshaping: Corneal reshaping commonly known as Orthokeratology lenses (Ortho-K) or Gentle Vision Shaping System (GVSS) uses specially designed contact lenses that are worn during sleep at night to temporarily correct vision problems so glasses and contact lenses are not needed during waking hours of the day.
Dual focus soft contact lenses: A type of multifocal contact lenses with the center of the lens correcting for myopia and the outer portion of the lens using peripheral defocus to slow myopia progression.
Pharmaceuticals agents: Low-dose atropine drops have been used for myopia management for many years with effective short-term results. Ideal for younger children with less near visual work and children not able to wear contact lenses.
Lifestyle changes: Studies show that myopia progression can be slowed in children by: 1) increasing outside activities with two hours in natural light while doing distant activities; 2) performing their near activity in a well-lit room and following the 20-20-20 rule; 3) limit screen time to no more than two hours a day; and 4) turn off all electronics one hour before sleep.
Spectacle correction: Spectacle lenses have been used for many years to improve vision due to myopia. This method has not proven effective for myopia management but may be more suitable to use in conjugation with pharmaceutical treatments.
Under-correction: Under-correction of glasses or contact lenses has been used in the past by some prescribers and concerned parents who feared that it will make their child’s vision worse. Research has shown that using this method of myopia control increases myopia progression.

Overall, evidence has shown that the best techniques for slowing myopia progression are Ortho-K, dual focus contact lenses, and low dose atropine drops.

Visionary Eye Doctors for Myopia Treatment in Rockville, MD

The epidemic of myopia in today’s digital age is putting many of our teens at risk of worsening myopia and increased blindness as the condition progresses. Visionary Eye Doctors offers you the trusted, professional diagnosis and treatment you require to manage myopia effectively.

Dr. Hosseini is a board-certified optometrist that manages our Rockville, MD, myopia patients. He has a doctorate degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and joined Visionary Eye Doctors in 2012. He is the Director of our Optometry and Optical Department and has a great chairside manner with patients of all ages—they are tremendous fans!

Call Visionary Eye Doctors in Rockville, MD at (301) 591-1763 to learn how to safeguard your vision with dedicated myopia management.

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