Combining myopia treatments may be the best option
Blog vol 4.52. Combining myopia treatments may be the best option.
The latest study in Eye, the official journal of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, shows the advantage of combining therapies for myopia, especially in older children. This is great news, especially if the eye doctor needs to get a little more leverage on the myopia. We have known for some time that single therapies such as atropine drops, orthokeratology lenses, or defocus lenses in spectacles or soft contacts each help to significantly reduce myopia development.
Knowing that each of these treatments works in different ways, it has been theorized that a combination could be even more effective. The retrospective study by Tang et al. (see here) has shown the effectiveness of putting atropine drops and orthokeratology lenses together. The atropine drops are used once nightly in each eye and the corrective glasses or contacts are worn as prescribed.
As a parent, all you need to do is bring your child for a regular eye exam and we will measure the axial lengths of your child’s eyes, and then track their progress. Early intervention is always best and regular monitoring allows the best results. We see children as early as six months, but myopia treatments are not necessary until at least 5 or 6 years. It is good to watch how your child’s eyes develop over time to see if the changes as they grow are trending toward myopia.
Now, myopia is not the end of the world and if your child has never had their eyes examined you have not done them terrible harm. You are not a bad parent. Myopia (near-sightedness) is on the rise in many parts of the world in a really really significant way. This increase of myopia and the severity of that myopia can be linked to the time we spend on near-work, such as screens and studying, from a young age. Of course, myopia can be corrected by glasses and contacts or laser surgery. So why the fuss? Myopia, especially high myopia, significantly increases the risk of other eye problems. If it can be kept under control at the start, wonderful.
An aside, and a step further back, I strongly suggest to parents, as a preventative measure and to ensure your child’s overall health, that you seriously consider screen time management and, when possible, encourage outdoor play. Time outdoors has the added benefit of building distance vision, an excellent myopia prevention.
SUMMARY FOR PARENTS
FIRST: SCREEN TIME MANAGEMENT.
SECOND: OUTDOOR PLAY.
THIRD: ANNUAL EYE EXAM.
In spite of our best efforts, myopia still happens. With this study confirming our practical experience, we are primed to mix and match treatments. Myopia management requires personalized care taking into account age of onset, rate of progression, and lifestyle. If you want the best results, combo therapies appear to be the way to go.
Til next week,
The good doctor
