Children’s eyes face more challenges today than ever before. The increasing prevalence of myopia, combined with constant exposure to digital screens and environmental factors like UV rays and germs, presents new challenges for children’s eye health. Giving your young patients comprehensive eye protection is now a key part of modern eye care.
At HOYA Vision Care Canada, we support eye care professionals (ECPs) to meet these challenges head-on. By combining the proven myopia management technology of MiYOSMART® lenses with the advanced protective features of Full Control™ Coating, you set up young patients with superior eye care.
Myopia is a growing concern
Chances are you’ve heard the alarming statistic: by 2050, nearly 50% of the global population is projected to have myopia. Of that number, 10% is at risk for high myopia and its associated complications1-3. While these numbers might seem daunting, ECPs have an opportunity to make a difference, one patient at a time.
When it comes to managing myopia, early intervention is key. For this reason, many ECPs focus on treating children with lower prescriptions, where the path to slowing or even halting progression feels clearer. Evidence-based options like atropine drops and HOYA Vision Care Canada’s MiYOSMART® lenses provide proven results for managing these cases effectively.
However, what about children with higher levels of myopia? A common misconception is that these patients are beyond assistance—that their progression is inevitable, and little can be done to improve their outcomes. But the reality is different: every child, regardless of their prescription, deserves access to care and support.
At HOYA Vision Care Canada, we believe that every diopter counts. We are committed to empowering ECPs with innovative solutions that address the unique needs of higher myopes. Our goal is to support you in providing treatment options to children across the entire myopic spectrum. While early intervention remains critical, it’s never too late to make an impact.
The outdoor challenge: UV protection year-round
Outdoor time is essential for managing myopia, as studies show it helps slow its progression in children. However, while promoting outdoor play, don’t overlook the importance of UV protection.
Many families think of UV protection as a summer concern, but UV exposure is a year-round issue. Snow and ice can reflect up to 80% of UV rays, significantly increasing children’s exposure during winter months. Combined with the fact that UV damage is cumulative over time, this makes consistent protection a top priority.
Why children are more vulnerable to UV damage
Children’s eyes are particularly susceptible to UV radiation due to physiological differences4:
- 1. Clearer crystalline lenses: Children’s crystalline lenses are clearer than adults, allowing up to 65% of UVA and 25% of UVB rays to reach the retina.
- 2. Wider pupils: Larger pupil sizes in children allow more UV light to enter the eye.
- 3. Higher lifetime risk: Early exposure increases the cumulative effects of UV damage, contributing to future risks like cataracts and retinal issues.
Given these factors, ECPs must make UV protection a year-round conversation with patients and their families.
Recommended solutions
The solution isn’t to restrict outdoor activities, which is essential for overall health and myopia control. Instead, make sure your young patients have the proper protection:
- MiYOSMART® Chameleon: Combines myopia management with light adaptive lens technology and 100% UV protection, making it a perfect choice for active children in all seasons.
- MiYOSMART Full Control™ Coating: Our newest innovation, Full Control offers additional UV protection by absorbing UV on both the front and backside of the lens, directing harmful rays away from the eyes and surrounding skin.
By recommending these options, your patients will be equipped to safely enjoy the benefits of outdoor play.
Protecting children’s eyes indoors
While outdoor protection is a priority, addressing indoor eye protection is also important. With children spending increasing amounts of time on screens for school, homework, and play, the impact of digital exposure has become a pressing concern for many families.
Excessive screen time can lead to a range of issues, collectively referred to as Digital Eye Strain (DES), including:
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty focusing
- Headaches
- Sleep disruptions due to blue light interference with circadian rhythms
Consider ways you can educate parents about the potential effects of prolonged screen exposure, especially as screen usage continues to rise among children.
Recommended solutions
HOYA Vision Care Canada’s Full Control™ Coating helps filter blue light through reflection. This reduces exposure to High-Energy Visible (HEV) light linked to eye strain and sleep disruption.
Protecting children’s eyes against germs
Children explore the world with their hands. While this can be an exciting way to make new discoveries, it can also bring them into contact with harmful germs. Consider that the average person touches their face as many as 23 times per hour5, giving those germs plenty of opportunity to transfer.
How it works
HOYA’s Full Control™ coating includes an anti-bacterial layer on both the front and back surfaces of the lens. This layer uses silver ions (AG+), a proven antimicrobial agent, to effectively control bacterial growth. In fact, the coating has been shown to reduce bacteria by at least 99.9%, offering an additional layer of hygiene-conscious protection for children’s glasses.
Making MiYOSMART® a part of your myopia protocol
When it comes to managing myopia, MiYOSMART® stands out as a proven, evidence-based solution designed with children’s unique needs in mind. By incorporating MiYOSMART® into your myopia protocol, you can offer your patients a comprehensive approach to care that goes beyond traditional options.
Backed by evidence
MiYOSMART® lenses have been shown to reduce myopia progression by up to 100% over two years6, according to clinical studies conducted worldwide. With over eight years of research, 50+ publications, and millions of lenses sold globally, MiYOSMART® has earned its reputation as a trusted choice in myopia management.
Now with the power of Full Control™
Available exclusively for MiYOSMART® clear, Full Control™ Coating brings an extra layer of protection to vulnerable young eyes. This technology enhances MiYOSMART® lenses by offering:
- 100% UV protection: Safeguards against harmful rays, whether from direct exposure or reflections.
- Blue light filtering: Reduces the effects of digital eye strain, supporting visual comfort during screen time.
- Antimicrobial properties: Minimizes bacterial growth on lens surfaces, promoting cleaner, healthier eyewear.
By combining the clinically proven myopia management technology of MiYOSMART® with the advanced protection of Full Control™, you can deliver a holistic solution to your young patients.
Comprehensive eye protection for today’s young patients
Caring for children’s vision requires solutions that protect their eyes from every angle. With MiYOSMART® and Full Control™, HOYA Vision Care Canada helps you deliver the most comprehensive care possible, whether it’s protecting against UV rays, filtering blue light, or reducing bacterial exposure.
Ready to learn more about how these innovations can support your practice? Reach out to your HOYA Territory Manager to explore how MiYOSMART® with Full Control™ can transform your myopia management protocol.
References:
1 Morgan IG, French AN, Ashby RS, Guo X, Ding X, He M, et al. The epidemics of myopia: Aetiology and prevention. Vol. 62, Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. Elsevier Ltd; 2018. p. 134–49.
2 Dong L, Kang YK, Li Y, Wei W Bin, Jonas JB. PREVALENCE AND TIME TRENDS OF MYOPIA IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN CHINA. Retina. 2020 Mar;40(3):399–411.
3 Lin LLK, Shih YF, Hsiao CK, Chen CJ. Prevalence of myopia in Taiwanese schoolchildren: 1983 to 2000. Ann Acad Med Singap. 2004 Jan;33(1):27–33.
4 Behar-Cohen F, Baillet G, de Ayguavives T, et al. Ultraviolet damage to the eye revisited: eye-sun protection factor (E-SPF®), a new ultraviolet protection label for eyewear. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2013 Dec 19:87-104.
5 Kwok YLA, Gralton J, McLaws ML. Face touching: A frequent habit that has implications for hand hygiene. factor American Journal of Infection Control. 2015 Feb;43(2):112–4.
6 In 21.5% of the cases among children wearing MiYOSMART spectacle lens, during a 2-year randomized controlled clinical trial, no myopia progression was observed. Lam CSY, Tang WC, TseDY, Lee RPK, Chun RKM, Hasegawa K, Qi H, Hatanaka T, To CH. Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses slow myopia progression: a 2-year randomised clinical trial. British Journal of Ophthalmology. Published Online First: 29 May 2019. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-313739