Your child is likely spending more and more time on computer or digital devices. This can be overworking your child’s visual system in a way it was not intended to work. This can promote your child to become nearsighted.

Myopia (nearsightedness) is a vision epidemic that is spreading. It affects more than a quarter of the world’s population and could affect half of the population within 30 years. The reason it is important to slow myopia progression in childhood is because moderate (-3.25 to -5.00 D) and high myopia (greater than -5.00 D) increase the likelihood that you child will develop vision-threatening conditions as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and myopic macular degeneration later in life.

Myopia, (nearsightedness) has traditionally been COMPENSATED for by wearing prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. Please note that eyeglasses and contact lenses do NOT CORRECT vision. If they did, then children would NOT be getting more nearsighted each year.

When a child becomes more and more nearsighted over time, that is called progressive myopia. LASIK surgery is not approved for children because their eyes are still growing. Often parents say: “I will just wait until my child gets older and then they can have LASIK”. They say this thinking that LASIK does not have any negative consequences. The fact is that most adults that have had LASIK, ultimately need eyeglasses. LASIK makes the cornea THINNER so the person can see more clearly shortly after the surgery, but often that benefit is short-lived. LASIK cuts a perfectly healthy tissue and once it is thinner, it is more prone to then bulging out afterwards. The term for that is ECTASIA.

Why is myopia so widespread? To a small degree, it can be associated with genetics, but the larger reason is how we use our visual system. Again, eyeglasses merely compensate for how light is bent. It does not change how the eyes continue to over-focus. It is the over-focusing that produces the increase in myopia. When children spend many hours indoors, focused on a screen, that has pixels rather than print, that is a trigger for the myopia to increase. Research studies say that children who spent a significant amount of time in the sun experienced less myopia progression than children who did not. The reason is NOT that the outdoors reduces the progression, but rather, the reason is that those children are then not spending as much time looking at a screen.

How Can Ortho-K Address a Child’s Myopia Progression?

Ortho-k is an FDA approved, safe, and popular treatment option for slowing myopia’s progression. Special custom lenses are designed to create non-permanent changes in the cornea. The lenses are made of a special gas permeable material that allows oxygen to pass right through them makes them very safe. This material allows even more oxygen through and does a soft contact lens. These lenses are designed specifically for each person and are customized based on the unique shape f each person’s cornea.

Ortho-k lenses are worn at night and removed in the morning, much as a mouth retainer is worn at night and removed in the morning once someone’s teeth have been straightened after wearing braces. When the child or adult wakes up, they then remove the night retainer lens and they are able to see clearly throughout the day. More importantly, the power does not increase, especially if combined with Vision Therapy. You, or your child can see clearly, swim, and play sports without wearing contact lenses or glasses.

We at Family Eye Care in Old Bridge, NJ, take great measures to make sure that our patients, both adults and children, understand how to care for their lenses. We stress the importance of washing hands first before inserting or removing the lenses, and using only the designated solutions to clean and rinse the lenses. First and foremost, Ortho-k is safe.

Annual eye exams are extremely important so we, at Family Eye Care in Old Bridge NJ can monitor and solve small problems before they ever have a chance to become a bigger problem. Lenses are replaced every year, much as a toothbrush is replaced periodically.

Other components within myopia management include Vision Therapy, Special Soft Contact lenses (MiSight and Natural Vue) and Atropine.

Ortho-k should be considered for your child’s short- and long-term ocular health.

We, at Family Eye Care in Old Bridge NJ have treated thousands of patients, both children and adults, throughout our area in the towns of Old Bridge, Aberdeen, East Brunswick, Manalapan, Matawan, Marlboro, Monroe, Parlin. Sayreville, South Amboy, South River, Spotswood, Lawrence Harbor, Cliffwood Beach, and throughout New Jersey.

References:

• https://managemyopia.org/
• https://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/myopia.htm
• https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/myopia-faq/what-is-myopia-control.htm#:~:text=%22Myopia%20control%22%20is%20the%20term,progression%20of%20nearsightedness%20in%20children.&text=There%20are%20four%20primary%20categories,orthokeratology%20(ortho%2Dk)

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common childhood eye condition that has serious consequences beyond just getting a new pair of eyeglasses each year.

Eyeglasses and traditional contact lenses compensate for a child that is nearsighted. most people are aware that the problem continues and usually the prescription increases each year.

Orthokeratology, sometimes known as Ortho-k, are special lenses that are worn at night. Ortho-k molding lenses have several advantages. They provide clear and stable vision without having to wear any glasses or contacts throughout the day, and in addition, they slow the progression of myopia. This is important because rapid myopia progression can lead to sight-threatening eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration later in life.

What is Myopia?

Myopia is the technical term for Nearsight. Nearsight means that someone can see better at near than they can at distance.

Myopia affects more than a quarter of the world’s population, a situation many experts consider an epidemic. By 2050, that number is expected to dramatically rise to 50% of the global population.

In addition to genetics, spending most of our waking hours indoors, and staring for long periods at close-up objects like smartphones and tablets, are among myopia’s main risk factors, and may explain the rapid rise in cases.

Myopia occurs when the distant objects look blurry because the light focuses in front of the retina, rather than directly on it.

How Is Myopia Dangerous?

Mild myopia (-0.25 to -3.00 D) generally does not increase a person’s risk for eye diseases later in life. However, moderate ( -3.25 to -5.00 D) and high myopia (greater than -5.00 D) are linked to serious, vision-threatening conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment and myopic macular degeneration.

Cataracts

Cataracts cause the lens of the eye to become cloudy, rendering it difficult or even impossible to see.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma develops when eye fluid build-up increases pressure on the eye, causing irreversible damage to the optic nerve. It is the leading cause of blindness in the United States and Canada.

Retinal Detachment

The retina detaches from the layers beneath it, causing field vision loss, flashes of light, floaters, and in the worst of cases — total vision loss.

Myopic Macular Degeneration

When myopia is extremely high, it can cause the retina to stretch, leading to macular tearing and bleeding in the areas beneath the retina. This can result in irreversible vision loss and even blindness.

How Does Ortho-K Work?

Think of the retainer that someone wears at night after they have had their braces removed, in order to keep teeth straight. Ortho-k is similar to Orthodonture. Ortho-k lenses gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. Ortho-k is FDA approved for both Children and Adults. You can then see clearly during school, or an adult can see clearly to drive. You can swim and play sports without requiring prescription goggles or sports glasses. Ortho-k halts the progression of myopia. This, in turn, can diminish your child’s risk of developing any sight-threatening conditions in decades to come.

How Are Ortho-k Lenses Prescribed?

Our patients first have a comprehensive eye examination in our office and then an Ortho-k Evaluation. A topographer measures the exact shape of your cornea so we can custom design lenses for you. That enables us to obtain better results and reduces the number of visits needed.

When the lenses arrive, we will teach you how to insert, remove, and care for their ortho-k contact lenses at home. We will see you periodically to see make sure that you are attaining the outcomes we expect and if any adjustments are needed.

Ortho-k offer the ability to see clearly and it also lowers the risk of developing ocular diseases later in life.

We, at Family Eye Care in Old Bridge, see patients from the surrounding communities of Aberdeen, East Brunswick, Manalapan, Matawan, Marlboro, Monroe, Parlin. Sayreville, South Amboy, South River, Spotswood, Lawrence Harbor, Cliffwood Beach, and those throughout New Jersey.

References

• https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/myopia-faq/what-is-myopia.htm
• https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/myopia.htm
• https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/myopia-nearsightedness
• https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/myopia
• https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/orthok.htm
• https://www.aao.org/editors-choice/orthokeratology-slows-myopic-progression-in-young-
• https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(18)33073-2/fulltext
• https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/consider-ortho-k-for-myopia-control

It is often distressing for a parent when they realize that their child can’t see as well as they thought they should.

Picture this:

You have brought your child to the eye doctor. Both you and your child feel stressed as your child squints to see the letters on the eye chart. Most doctors still simply prescribe a higher and higher eyeglass prescription and you are frustrated.

There has been an incredible increase in the number and percent of children becoming more nearsighted (myopic). There are a number of ways this can be addressed rather than just falling into the old routine of simply prescribing a higher power each year. Eyeglasses are the traditional answer, but what if there was a better way to stem the progression.

Orthokeratology, often called Ortho-k for short, is one option. Most people have not heard of this choice even though it was developed over 60 years ago and it is FDA approved. Just as only some dentists become orthodontists, only some eye doctors choose to learn how to prescribe orthokeratology.

Ortho-K Has High Success Rates in Slowing Down Myopia

Today it is commonly agreed that eyeglasses to compensate for nearsighted vision is not enough. Most parents want a better answer for their children. Myopia progresses during childhood, and young adults may find themselves with high levels of myopia, and at risk of developing severe eye diseases. These serious eye diseases are: retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, and glaucoma, conditions that can lead to vision loss or even blindness later in life.

Fortunately, modern optometry offers a variety of treatments to manage myopia and keep it from progressing to dangerous levels. Orthokeratology (ortho-k) has proven highly successful and is convenient for the wearer. Studies show a 36-56% slower progression of myopia in children treated with ortho-k compared to other options that have some to marginal success rates.

What Makes Ortho-K Unique?

Ortho-k is often referred to as corneal reshaping therapy. It utilizes special THERAPEUTIC contact lens that reshape the eye rather than regular COMPENSATING lenses. Children as young as 6 can wear the ortho-k lens overnight to provide them with perfect vision during the day. The concept is similar to how dentists use braces and then the individual wears a retainer in the mouth to “retain” the position of the teeth. Ortho-k lenses purposefully induces temporary change that last through the following day. This is why Ortho-K is reversible and safe at any age. This is why, unlike LASIK, this is FDA approved for ALL ages.

Reshaping is accomplished by wearing custom-made lenses overnight, while your child is asleep. In the morning, your child removes the lenses, and the cornea maintains its new shape. The benefit is two fold.

1. Your child can see the board in school.
2. Your child’s prescription often does not get worse each year, as it would otherwise, with regular eyeglasses or regular contact lenses.

Clear vision is achieved by changing the corneal shape rather than a visual aid. This has been proven over and over since 1962.

Ortho-K Is Becoming the Standard for Myopia Management

Ortho-k has been available for more than half a century and has been gaining popularity in recent years thanks to advanced technologies, higher efficiency, and easier handling.

Dr. Roth has offered Orthokeratology for nearly 30 years and has considerable experience. We have many videos of many of our patients or various ages who have been in ortho-K for years. We use as special instrument called a digital corneal topographer that measures and maps the corneal surface. We can then design precise custom ortho-k lenses that are made specifically for your / your child’s eyes. The topographer enables us to monitor the improvement attained by using the special lenses and enables us to measure this with high accuracy.

Ortho-k is also popular because it is extremely convenient. Many kids don’t like to wear eyeglasses and feel self conscious. Regular contact lenses can dry out over time and makes the eyes feel dry. This then causes an extra distraction when reading an studying. Since children wear ortho-k lenses only when they sleep, and don’t need lenses or glasses during the day, they can go about their day unencumbered.

Ways to Manage Myopia

Four main treatments can slow down the progression of myopia. Each has its advantages and is suitable for different circumstances.

• Orthokeratology – custom overnight lenses reshape the cornea and provide clear vision during the day. These have been proven to slow down myopia progression and are safe. The lenses are worn only at night and the child is free of glasses or contacts throughout the day.
• Vision Therapy addresses the underlying cause that is producing myopia. The “fire” that is producing the “smoke”.
• Special Soft Contact Lenses, a specific type of contact lens, called a distance center multifocal soft contact lens, can slow down myopia progression.
• Bifocal eyeglass lenses can also slow down myopia progression if a focusing problem is at its root.
• Atropine eye drops – applying low-dose atropine eye drops once a day has been shown to slow down myopia progression. There are few side-effects of this medication, and the eye drops can be used in combination with corrective lenses.

Several factors need to be taken into consideration when determining whether ortho-k is the correct answer for your child. These include age, myopia level, and general eye health.

We will discuss ortho-k as one of the options to assess the best way to manage your child’s myopia. At Family Eye Care in Old Bridge NJ, we will help you find the best possible option for your child. Schedule an eye exam with Dr. Roth to evaluate how to best prevent myopia from progressing and be comfortable at the same time.

Resources:

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03465748

https://www.myopiainstitute.com/types-of-myopia-control/