Myopia Control in Alliston

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Avoid a Future of Heavy Prescriptions with Myopia Control

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common eye condition where far-away objects are difficult to see, and nearby objects appear clearly.

Myopia affects nearly 30% of Canadians and can progress during childhood, leading to heavy prescriptions alongside other health concerns as an adult. With the risks myopia progression poses, regular eye exams are more important than ever for your child’s vision.

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What Causes Myopia?

Myopia typically develops from abnormally shaped eyes, where the eyeball is too long, or the cornea has too steep of a curvature. When myopia develops, entering light focuses in front of the retina instead of on the retina.

Myopia may have other contributing factors, such as:

Children may not even know they have a visual problem, so don’t wait for them to speak to you about any concerns.

Recognizing common symptoms can help identify developing myopia. An eye exam can help diagnose potential myopia, so request an appointment if your child demonstrates any of the following signs:

  • Frequent squinting
  • Holding books close to their face when reading
  • Difficulty focusing in school
  • Sitting close to digital screens (television, computers)
  • Frequent headaches

What is Myopia Progression?

While anyone can be affected by myopia, it usually develops early in childhood and worsens with age. Children’s eyes grow with them, and this can cause a minor case of myopia to develop into a more severe form in adulthood, known as high myopia.

Anything above -5.00 diopters is considered high myopia. Your eye development stabilizes around early adulthood, and anyone with high myopia has an increased risk of several eye conditions, including:

Single vision eyeglasses cannot slow myopic progression, but specialized treatments can. These treatments aim to slow eyeball growth as much as possible; so your child’s vision does not worsen.

Myopia is an Evolving Health Concern

The risk of developing several eye conditions causing blindness increases with high myopia, and this eye condition is more prevalent than ever, progressing faster and developing younger.
With an average development age of 6 to 7 years old, almost a third of myopia cases in children go undiagnosed and uncorrected. An undiagnosed refractive error can affect your child’s development. Approximately 80% of a child’s learning is visual, and vision problems can lead to:

  • Slower learning
  • Higher risk of school dropout
  • Negative self-image
  • Frustration with learning 

Single vision eyeglasses cannot slow myopic progression, but specialized treatments can. These treatments aim to slow eyeball growth as much as possible; so your child’s vision does not worsen. 

How Can You Control Myopia Progression?

Myopia progression can negatively affect your child’s ocular health. High myopia is more common than ever, but myopia control treatments can prevent a prescription-heavy future for your child. With effective treatment, you can avert high myopia development and reduce your child’s risk of eye disease later in life.

You can control myopia progression in many ways, and contact lens therapy is emerging as an effective method. They are easily fitted soft contact lenses your child wears throughout the day before taking them out at night. Several studies have found soft contact lenses can reduce myopia progression by up to 50%.

Some effective forms of myopia control include:

MiyoSmart lenses utilize defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) technology to help with myopia correction and control. The central zone of the lens corrects myopia while several ring-shaped zones surround the lens, slowing myopia progression.

The alternating lens zones provide clear vision while simultaneously controlling myopia. A three-year study found DIMS lenses can effectively slow myopia progression.

MyoVision lenses are specifically designed for myopia control, ensuring images project onto the retina correctly. By utilizing peripheral defocus management, MyoVision lenses correct the peripheral “hyperopic shift” affecting myopic eyes. Correcting this shift sends a signal to the eye, reducing eye elongation and slowing myopia progression.

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Children’s Eye Exams
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Where to Find Us

We can be found on Centre Street South, just south of Victoria Street East near Shopper’s Drug Mart. Parking is available in the municipal parking lot across from our practice.

Address

15 Centre Street South
Alliston, ON L9R 1G8

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Hours

Monday
8 AM – 4 PM
Tuesday
8 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday
12 PM – 8 PM
Thursday
8 AM – 5 PM
Friday
8 AM – 4 PM
Saturday
8 AM – 1 PM
Sunday
Closed
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