What is Myopia?
Also known as short-sightedness, a person with Myopia will see clearly at near but everything at a distance will be a blur (find more detail on this on our Eyecare page). This is a pretty common condition and myopic patients get on very well with the help of spectacles or contact lenses.
However it is now known that more and more patients are developing myopia due to the amount of work we now do within a close range i.e. reading, computer work, computer games and the dreaded smart phone. Yes, the world has evolved into a technical nightmare. Gone are the days when children were out playing on their bikes, playing football for hours or building a den in the woods, today they are glued to mobile devices and expected to do more of their school work online.
How can we help?
Here at Punch Opticians we offer a range of solutions to combat and manage Myopia, including Spectacle lenses and Contact Lenses which will reduce myopic progression.
A team of researchers at the School of Optometry in China discovered that by giving the patient some optical defocus we can effectively reduce myopic progression by an incredible 60%. The miYoSmart lens (a spectacle lens) uses a barely visible honeycomb like structure across the surface of the lens. Our knowledgeable team will be able to assist in finding your child the correct frame for these lenses to ensure they are getting the best out of this lenses. Regular aftercare appointments will follow to monitor any changes.
Alternatively, your child may prefer contact lenses. MiSight lenses are designed for children from 8-15 and work in a similar way to the spectacle lenses. Contact lenses provide unrestricted vision (No spectacle frame to get in the way), freedom for more active patients and less chance of the child peering over the top of the frame. However we must also consider eye health when wearing contact lenses. Over wearing contact lenses can also lead to problems such as eye ulcers so we are here at Punch Opticians to ensure your child understands the importance of looking after your eyes and how to deal with contact lenses.
Don’t forget there is no harm in using both the spectacle lenses and contact lenses side by side. Your child may prefer to wear contact lenses for school or sports and then wear the spectacles once they get home and at weekends providing the best of both worlds.
What can I do to make sure my child doesn’t get my eyesight?
This has always been a concern for parents who have a history of Myopia (Short-sightedness). Those with a high prescription (-6.00D and above) unfortunately have a greater risk of other eye conditions such as Vitreous detachment, Retinal Detachment, Glaucoma and even Cataracts. We now have the ability to prevent as many patients as possible developing these high prescriptions, however we must act quickly and here is how.
What else can you do to help?
This is not just about spectacle lenses and contact lenses. As a parent encourage your child reduce the amount of time they spend on mobile devices and computers. Your child needs to exercise their eyes by looking at objects at distance. Take the dog for a walk, go for a bike ride, play football at the weekends and go back to good old fashioned ‘I spy’ on those long car journeys. These small changes can have a positive impact on your child’s lifelong optical health.
Call into practice to view an example spectacle lens in store and collect a brochure so that you are armed with everything you need to make an informed decision about your Childs visual needs. You can also book a consultation with a member our friendly, knowledgeable team who will guide you through all options available.
Together we can ensure your Child has a more focused future.
