Slowing Progression of Myopia/Nearsightedness

Community Eyecare, Inc.:  A Myopia Control Center

Myopia is a condition that often begins early in life and progresses throughout most of the teens and early twenties.  According to an article in Review Of Optometry, approximately 1.5 billion people currently are affected by myopia and by 2050 that number is expected to rise to 5 billion.  Rapid progression year-in and year-out can lead to high myopia which is defined as having a prescription greater than -5.00 D.  High myopia is also increasing in prevalence and is not just associated with thicker glasses or stronger prescriptions, but also pose a higher risk for a number of sight-threatening diseases such as myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal detachments and cataracts.  Because of these risks and other inconveniences of high myopia, it goes without saying that being able to reduce the risk of onset and slow the progression of myopia are of primary importance.

Traditionally, treating myopia has been centered soley on correcting the blurriness with appropriate corrective lenses, but without thought as to slowing progression of the disorder.  Now with the most up to date studies and contact leens technology, the doctors at Community Eyecare are using specialty contact lenses and glasses to actively control and slow progression of myopia.  Since most progression occurs in childhood and adolescence, it underscores the importance of yearly eye exams for children so that the onset of myopia can be detected as soon as possible and progression can be slowed earlier in its process.  The doctors at Commnity Eyecare use three different techniques to slow myopic progression:

1. CRT contacts:  with CRT's, special contact lenses are fit specifically for your chlid's eyes, and are worn only at night time.  While sleeping, the lenses gently reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea) to correct the vision, so that a child can see clearly without glasses or contact lenses when he/she is awake.  In addition, the corneal reshaping has shown to significantly slow down the elongation of the eye which is what contributes to progression of myopia.
2. Multifocal soft contacts:  multifocal soft contact lenses are the newest trend in controlling myopic progression.  Children as young as 7 or 8 who show quick progression myopic changes can be successfully fit in these lenses.  Multifocal contact lenses use different optical zones within the lens to give the child both clear distance vision during wear time while also slowing the elongation of the eye to prevent progression.
3. Eyezen or progressive addition glasses:  Eyezen lenses are used for mild myopic progression where progressive lenses are used for moderate to severe progression.  Both lenses give the child focusing relief when doing tasks up close like reading.

The main object with these treatments is to reduce axial elongation of the eye which will reduce myopic progression.

The focus for the doctors at Community Eyecare is to be able to provide parents the information they need to be able to make the best educated decision regarding their children's eye care and ocular health.  They will continue to provide excellent care in prescribing the best options for traditional glasses and contact lenses as well as the newest advancements in slowing the progression of myopia.

During the initial consult the doctor will veview the patient's history and myopic progression.  Initial cost for the consult is $59.00, which will be credited to any of the 3 treatment options listed above.