WHAT IS MYOPIA CONTROL?
Myopia control (a.k.a. myopia management) is the term eye doctors use to describe treatments for slowing the progression of myopia. Using these tools, not only do we keep the strength of your glasses low, but also we can minimize the risk of irreversible damage to a person's eyesight.
Myopia (also known as nearsightedness) is when light does not focus images correctly in the eye. Myopia is usually due to the eyeball growing too long, resulting in light focusing in front of where it should. Objects further away are blurry, and your eye doctor prescribes contact lenses or glasses to make the vision clear. Check out this Myopia Guide for Parents for more detail.
WHY DOES MYOPIA CONTROL MATTER?
If the degree of your myopia is too great, very thick lenses are required to provide clear vision. But, thick glasses lenses aren't the only concern if you're nearsighted. As the eye grows too long, the tissues and structures inside the eye become stretched. Stretching caused by increased myopia is associated with increased chances of damage to the back of the eye. The damage presents as potentially blinding eye conditions such as myopic macular degeneration, retinal detachment, or glaucoma.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT A CONSULTATION
If you or your child has not had a comprehensive eye exam within the past six months, we recommend doing that first. You will meet with your myopia control certified eye doctor at your consultation appointment. At this appointment, we will look at the current and previous eyeglass prescriptions and various measurements of eye shape. Detailed results of the most recent and past eye exams are essential. We can arrange to have your previous exam results forwarded to The Eye Studio YXE before your myopia control consultation.
MYOPIA CONTROL TREATMENT OPTIONS
Based on many things, such as the degree of myopia, age, hobbies and activities, and personal preferences. We partner with you to develop the most suitable myopia control treatment. We will also provide you with additional resources as a starting point for those who prefer to do some research and reading on their own.
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There are four main categories of myopia control: Daytime soft contact lenses, orthokeratology (night lenses), low-dose medicated eye drops, and specialized spectacle lenses. Our Parent's Guide to Myopia explains the options in more detail and links to additional resources and key peer-reviewed papers.
MYOPIA CONTROL COST
Myopia management is a service that our Saskatchewan Health Cards do not cover. The cost of myopia control is an essential consideration for families. If your family has a third-party insurance plan, some coverage through your insurance plan may be available to you. Contact your insurance company directly to explore possible insurance coverage for myopia control. At the complimentary consultation, your eye doctor will discuss with you the costs associated with each myopia management option. It's helpful to remember that even though the treatment options have an upfront expense, myopia control can cost less in the long term. Effective myopia control means you will not have to update glasses with new and worsening prescriptions nearly as often.
The myopia control consultation is part of our empowerment value. It's a commitment-free opportunity to ask questions and get the information you need to decide what's best for you and your child.