Myopia Management
Advanced Intervention and Expertise for your Child's Vision
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Myopia or short/near-sightedness is a common type of optical defocus. Progressive myopia is a term used when myopia progresses rapidly. Risk factors for the development of progressive myopia include genetic and environmental factors. Significant myopia results in an increased risk of ocular disease in adulthood including macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract, and retinal detachment. Efforts to limit the progression of myopia reduce the risk of developing these pathologies later in life.
The interventions used to control the level of myopia can involve medical therapy and lifestyle changes. Medical myopia control intervention include atropine eye drops, and specialised spectacles and contact lenses. Lifestyle changes that can help reduce myopia progression include time spent outdoors in daylight, limiting intensive near work or screen time, taking regular breaks from near activities and increasing working distances for close work.
It has also been scientifically proven that two hours spent outdoors in normal bright daylight reduces the risk of myopia progression and all children should be encouraged to play outdoors every day in daylight.
When reading or working on a computer screen, one should take a 20 second break looking at an object in the the distance every 20 minutes “the 20/20/20 rule”.
At Blackrock Eye Care, we recommend atropine eye drops, specialised spectacle and contact lenses in the management of progressive myopia.
For years my son suffered from his squint. When we finally sought treatment, we went to Blackrock Eye Care and the team were fantastic to Mark. He had his treatment and has never looked back, it was life-changing!
Pamela Byrne
Our son Jack (15 months) had a turn in his eye and from the very first appointment with Ms McCreery, we had full confidence in her and of the quality of the treatment Jack would receive. We have had this confidence reinforced at every appointment. Ms McCreery is an absolute expert in working with children and diagnosed immediately the issue and identified a course of action for Jack which involved a surgical procedure. As parents, this was a daunting experience however Ms MCreery’s whole surgical and nursing team were incredible in their attention and thoughtfulness for us and this made all the difference to our experience. The surgery has been a huge success and we are delighted with the outcome. I cannot express enough my gratitude to Ms McCreery and her team and we would highly recommend her to any parent.
Sean Flynn