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Myopia
Myopia (also known as short-sightedness)
The most frequent refractive error in children and young adults is myopia. Myopia occurs when the eye is longer than average, causing light rays to focus in front of the light-sensitive retina (at the back of the eye) rather than directly on it. People with myopia see distant objects blurry while nearby objects clear. Although spectacles and regular contact lenses can correct a person’s vision, they do not treat or slow the progression of myopia.
At first, the main risks of short sight are difficulties in learning and education. How can children learn if they can’t see the board? There are problems with confidence and quality of life in children and teenagers who wear glasses. Kids are often embarrassed and hindered in social settings and when playing sports or activities.
The long-term effects of myopia are much more serious and devastating. The additional growth of the eyeball means that myopes are at a significantly higher risk of glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration. These have the potential to make someone blind.
At Clearsight Opticians, we can offer specialised treatment to slow the progression of myopia.
MiSight Lenses
Myopia causes the vision to be out of focus. The eyes detect that the light entering is out of focus as it falls on the retina. In children, this sends signals for the eyes to react and grow bigger to compensate for the focus. But the result of this is an INCREASE in myopia thus making it a vicious circle for some children. MiSight lenses have a zone of focus that is different to normal lenses for short-sightedness, resulting in the light reaching the retina to a different focus (called defocus). This defocus inhibits the signals the stimulate eyeball growth thereby suppressing the increase of myopia safely, without applying mechanical force to the eyes.
Over a 3-year period, there was a 59% reduction in myopia progression on average. Over a 6-year period, children wearing MiSight 1 day progressed less than 1.00D on average
Frequently Asked Questions
We can fit contact lenses from a young age, as long as you feel your child will be compliant with the lenses. After using MiSight 1 day contact lenses for three years, 90% of children could insert and remove the MiSight 1 day lens on their own. Additionally, after using MiSight 1 day contact lenses for three years, 90% of children still strongly preferred them over their glasses.
They are extremely safe for children to wear. A study published in 2017 by Mark Bullimore found that the rate of serious infection with contact lens wear was lower in children aged 8 to 12 than adults.
No, however, they are safer and more comfortable to wear than the alternative options, such as orthokeratology (OrthoK).
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We’re located in the Westcroft District Centre, at: 11 Barnsdale Dr, Westcroft, Milton Keynes, MK4 4DD
Our Opening Times are as follows –
Monday to Friday: 9.30am – 5.30pm
Saturday: 9.30am – 5.00pm
Sunday: CLOSED