Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition that affects individuals of all ages. The impact of myopia extends from childhood to the golden years, making it crucial for Eye Care Professionals (ECPs) to understand and incorporate myopia management into their practices.
Use this as a guide in providing comprehensive myopia care for patients at every stage of life.
What is myopia management?
Myopia management – or myopia control – refers to the research-based methods an ECP uses to slow the growth of the eye, thus slowing the progression of myopia. By starting myopia management early, ECPs have a better chance of preventing eye diseases and conditions in the child’s future.
Levels of myopia
Myopia exists on a spectrum, with different levels requiring tailored approaches. It’s important to understand the technical aspects of pre-myopia, low myopia, and high myopia to provide effective myopia management.
- Pre-myopia: When the spherical equivalent of refraction of a child's eye is between ≤ +0.75 D and > -0.50 D. This condition, along with their age, refraction history and other quantifiable risk factors, can indicate the increased likelihood of developing myopia in the future. Therefore, preventative interventions may be warranted to address pre-myopia.³
- Low myopia: when the spherical equivalent refraction (SER) is between ≤ -0.50D and >-6.00D in the relaxed accommodation condition.
- High myopia: when the SER is ≤ 6.00D in the relaxed accommodation condition.
How to approach myopia treatment for patients of all ages
Regular lenses may not be the most suitable choice for myopic children. Myopia management requires a multi-faceted evidence-based treatment tailored to each individual patient’s needs. That will likely include some form of myopia management contact lenses or glasses, like MiYOSMART lenses.
Myopia management for kids: start early with evidence-based myopia control lenses
Recently, an alarming trend of increasing nearsightedness in children has been observed. This can lead to high myopia, associated with sight-threatening complications. Here’s how to approach myopia management for your patients who are children:
- Emphasize early diagnosis.
- Develop a treatment plan incorporating MiYOSMART lenses, clinically proven to slow myopia progression in children aged 8-13. (Read the full research.)
- Regular check-ups, combined treatments, reduced screen time, and increased outdoor exposure.
Myopia care for post-secondary students and young professionals: limit screen time & use digital lenses
As children transition into young adults and professionals, their myopia care needs to evolve. ECPs must be equipped to address these changing requirements for young adults in school and the workplace setting:
- Specialized lens support like Sync III for gameing or a near-focused lifestyle.
- Promote good ocular hygine, like the 20-20-20 rule and taking frequent breaks.
- Introduce advanced digital lenses like My SV , with premium anti-reflective coatings and high-index materials for optimal clarity.
- Regular check-ups to monitor eye health and prescription changes.
Myopia care for older adults: supplements and advanced lens technology
Some believe the misconception that myopia tapers off at a certain age; however, that’s because of worsening vision in other ways – not improvements. According to the Review of Myopia Management, UC Berkeley School of Optometry Myopia Control Clinic encountered “more than a dozen patients who had some level of progression after years of stable myopia, most commonly triggered by a drastic change of profession or lifestyle.”
Therefore, as individuals age, myopia care requires adjustments to accommodate changing needs and lifestyles.
- Incorporate Omega-3 fatty acids for macular health into the treatment plan.
- Utilize specialized lenses with Integrated Dual Surface™ (iD) design and Binocular Harmonization Technology (BHT) for enhanced comfort and wider field of view.
- Incorporate task-specific lenses into the eyewear wardrobe.
- Regular eye exams with additional health screening for myopic related eye disease.
ECP’s role in myopia care for all ages
ECPs play a pivotal role in myopia care from childhood, with myopia management and ocular hygiene to adulthood with specialized lenses, supplements and screening. Establishing a clear myopia message, addressing myopia early on, and optimizing patient communication are integral best practices for ECPs.
Your goal should be educating adult myopes about the risks of myopia and how that will affect them as they age and informing them that we are lucky to have a variety of evidence-based treatments for children available.
Implementing a myopia management protocol, including biometry for accurate measurements, and offering clear pricing models contribute to a comprehensive approach. As experts in the field, ECPs solidify their reputation by demonstrating empathy, employing relatable analogies, and utilizing visual aids to simplify explanations.
Follow-ups and continued myopia management every six months are crucial to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments, ensuring the well-being of young patients.
More about myopia management best practices
Myopia care for all ages
Myopia care is a dynamic and crucial aspect of eye care that spans across all stages of life. From the early years of childhood into young adulthood and the later years, ECPs must be equipped with comprehensive strategies to address varying myopia care needs.
Understanding the spectrum of myopia levels – from pre-myopia to high myopia – and implementing evidence-based treatments tailored to individual patient requirements is essential to slow myopia progression.
By establishing a clear myopia message, addressing myopia early on, and continuing that care adaptively over the years, you can solidify your expertise and drive growth for your practice.