Children Myopia Control
Myopia (short-sightedness) in children is a serious health issue in Hong Kong. Research shown that the prevalence of myopia (-0.50D or above) for Hong Kong children aged 6 and 12 was 18.3% and 61.5% respectively. One of the major concerns of this issue is high myopia (-6.00D or above) has been proven to associate with various eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataract and retinal detachment. Therefore, it is important to control myopia from progressing rapidly in children. The following is the services we provide for controlling myopia in children:
Our preferred ortho-k lens is Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) lens, which is made in the US and approved by the US FDA. Due to its high stability and production of larger area of treatment zone, it has been our first choice of ortho-k lens being used.
What is Ortho-k?
It is an optical method for vision correction for myopes. The effect is due to changes of the corneal shape using specially designed rigid gas permeable lenses. It is a temporary measure and nightly ortho-k lens wear is necessary to maintain the effect. Once lens wear is discontinued, the myopic corrective effect will be lost. Scientific research has proven ortho-k can slow down the myopic progression in children by about 50% per year when compared to children just wearing single vision lenses.
Who is suitable to wear ortho-k lens?
• Children with 7 years of age or above
• Myopia below -5.50D and astigmatism below -1.50D. If the myopia or astigmatism is above the limit, children may need to wear spectacles in day time to correct the residual refractive error.
• Children who have very rapid myopic progression, -0.75D to -1.00D progression or above per year is considered as fast.
• Adults who are not suitable to perform laser eye surgery
• Soft contact lens wearers who have dry eye
Advantages of ortho-k lens wearing:
• Scientific research has proven ortho-k can slow down the myopic progression in children by about 50% per year.
• Ortho-k can usually reduce myopia of -4.00D to -5.00D within the first two weeks. Vision of successful wearers can usually be maintained throughout the day after lens removal.
• Night time wearing modality can bring convenience to those who dislike wearing glasses or contact lenses during the day, or participate actively in sports.
• Problems, such as dry eye, arising from normal day time contact lens wear can be avoided.
• It is a reversible procedure, ocular parameters generally return to their original status within few weeks.
Disadvantages of ortho-k lens wearing:
• Ortho-k cannot cure myopia. The myopia reduction effect will wear off gradually after stopping of lens wear.
• Parents and wearers have to spend more time initially for ortho-k lens fitting and follow-ups. In the absence of adverse events, regular aftercare visits (3-6 monthly) are still essential to ensure the health of the eyes.
• Wearers should strictly follow the instructions given by the optometrists, non-compliance could result in corneal infection and possible vision loss. These complications can be kept to a minimum if proper instructions and lens usage are followed.
PolyU DIMS Lens/ Hoya MyoSmart has a central optical zone, for correcting distance myopic refractive error, which is surrounded by about 300 multiple defocus segments extending to the mid-periphery of the lens. Such technology can produce a phenomenon known as myopic defocus, about 50% of the peripheral light is focused before the retina. Myopic defocus slows down myopic progression by making use a natural homeostatic mechanism known as “emmetropisation”. Research shown that PolyU DIMS Lens/ Hoya MyoSmart can slow down myopic progression in children by 59% per year when compared to children just wearing single vision lenses.