Myopia Management | Orillia Eye Care

A Public Health Concern

The prevalence of myopia in people around the world, and the rate at which it is continuing to rise, is a public health concern.

Also known as nearsightedness, myopia begins in childhood and continues to progress until the development of vision is complete, usually around the age of 18.

Why is poor vision a public health concern? When allowed to progress, the eyewear prescription necessary to correct vision becomes higher and higher. We call this high myopia, and not only does it result in poor vision, but it can create more serious eye health problems down the road.

It is important to note that there is no cure for myopia. However, it can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. If we diagnose myopia early enough, we are able to employ a variety of techniques to slow its progression.

Myopia management is one of the 7 Pillars of Excellence we have built the foundation of our practice on. We take pride in playing a role in helping to slow this public health crisis.

Book a comprehensive eye exam today to determine if myopia is present in you or your child.

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What Causes Myopia?

Myopia is a refractive error, meaning that when light enters your eye, it refracts (bends) improperly, resulting in blurry vision. The cornea and lens are responsible for directing the light onto the retina, and when they are improperly shaped, it cannot be directed correctly.

People with myopia have an eyeball that is too long or a cornea that is too curved, resulting in this misdirection of light. Environmental factors, such as lack of outdoor play in children, may increase the risk of myopia development, as well as the family history of myopia.

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Diagnosing & Treating Myopia

Diagnosing myopia begins with a comprehensive eye examination. Exams are particularly important for children, who may not be able to tell you that there is something wrong with their sight.

There are some signs to look for that may indicate your child has a vision problem:

Head tilting
Trouble in school
Squinting
Covering one eye
Holding items close to the face

After a diagnosis, we will recommend treatments for myopia control, which commonly include contact lenses or spectacles, but can also include other alternate forms of therapy. We continuously monitor patients so that we can adapt treatment as necessary.

To keep track of a treatment’s effectiveness, we use an axial length measuring device. The Lenstar device helps us to quickly and easily measure the length of the eyeball.

If growth has slowed or stagnated as a result of treatment, that’s great. It is exactly the outcome we are looking for. On the other hand, if there is no change and the eye continues to lengthen, we will need to try another form of treatment.

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