Myopia, also known as short sightedness, is a problem where light focuses in front of the retina giving a blurry image when distant objects are viewed.
Myopia is usually progressive and is linked with a higher risk of eye problems such as retinal detachment, glaucoma and myopic maculopathy. There is a higher risk of developing myopia if there is a family history and the younger the onset, the higher the final amount of myopia tends to be. Currently, 1 in 3 people is myopic and this number is rising – it is projected that by 2050, 1 in 2 people will be myopic. This is a great concern due to the risks involved with myopia.
The axial length of the eye (distance from the front to the back of the eye) correlates to the amount of myopia present and research shows that the peripheral retina is involved in driving axial length growth. The axial length increases in an attempt to bring the peripheral retinal image into focus and therefore driving an increase in myopia.
Recent studies have shown that there is evidence to support methods of controlling the rate of change of myopia and specialist corrective spectacle lenses that give central focus and peripheral blur at the same time have been shown to slow the progression of myopia. In fact, studies with 2 years of data show that the progression of myopia was slowed by an average of 52% and axial length growth was slowed by an average of 62%.
Although there is no guarantee of success in reducing the rate of progression of myopia, absolutely no evidence of adverse effect on vision was shown in the study and as a result of the positive outcomes reported in the study, the specialist lens was approved for use for the treatment of myopia in the UK and MiYOSMART was launched in early 2021.
We are pleased to confirm that we have completed the accreditation process to allow us to supply MiYOSMART lenses as part of a Myopia Management plan, aiming to slow the progression of myopia in children. Myopia Management is an exciting breakthrough in optometry and we are excited to be taking steps towards helping reduce the myopia epidemic.
For more information on our Myopia Management program, please click here to be taken to our myopia management FAQ page.