MYOPIA MANAGEMENT

Myopia Management

What is Myopia?

Myopia is more commonly referred to as nearsightedness, or the inability to see objects clearly at a distance. Myopia is on the rise- in its frequency and its severity. The reason for the rise of myopia has been linked to two factors:

Genetics - Children with one or two myopic parents are more likely to be myopic: Morgan P. Is Myopia Control the Next Contact Lens Revolution? OPTICIAN 2016.
Lifestyle - Children who spend more time of activities like reading or using handheld devices instead of spending time outdoors are more likely to become myopic: Gifford P, Gifford, K L. The Future of Myopia Control Contact Lenses. Opt Vis Sci. 2016;93(4):336-43.; Wolffsohn JS, Calossi A, Cho P, et al. Global Trends in Myopia Management Attitudes and Strategies in Clinical Practice. Contact Lens Anterior Eye. 2016;39(2):106-16. Wired magazine in August 2023 published a fantastic article by Amit Katwala entitled "The World Is Going Blind. Taiwan Offers a Warning, and a Cure" detailing the personal quest of Dr. Pei-Chang Wu to understand the reasons for and how to reverse the myopia epidemic in Taiwan. The article's main point is kids must be outside at least 2 hours a day to protect their sight. Healio.com in October 2020 published a review article regarding increased digital screen time leading to an acceleration of the existing myopia epidemic.

Even at low levels, myopia makes things harder for kids to see objects in the distance every waking moment of the day. If you would like to test you or your child's vision at home, you may print and use this Vision Chart for adults at 10 feet (3 meters) or this Vision Chart for children at 10 feet (3 meters). Then you can see what myopia looks like to a child using the Coopervision Myopia Simulator. The International Myopia Institute published its 2023 update for the Facts and Findings Infographic on Myopia that reviews all the latest research on different myopia treatment modalities (unfortunately not all of which are available in the US). Fortunately, in the US there are several FDA approved and proven options available for myopia management including the Brilliant Futures™ Myopia Management Program using the MiSight® 1 day lens and the Paragon Vision Sciences Corneal Refractive Therapy Program.

OPTION ONE: The Brilliant Futures™ Myopia Management Program

The Brilliant Futures™ Program is a comprehensive approach to myopia management built around MiSight® 1 day contact lenses, the first and only contact lens FDA-approved to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children who are between 8 and 12 years old at the initiation of treatment.1**

MiSight® 1 day is a soft contact lens that uses ActivControl™ Technology to slow the elongation of the eyes.1 ActivControl™ Technology simultaneously corrects a child's vision while training the eye to resist growing in length.1,2 In clinical trials, MiSight® 1 day contact lenses were shown to slow the progression of myopia in children (8-12 years of age at the initiation of treatment) in two ways:

59% average reduction in prescription change with MiSight® 1 day lenses: Compared to a single vision 1 day lens. Chamberlain P, et al. A 3-year randomized clinical trial of MiSight® lenses for myopia control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019; 96(8): 556-567.
52% reduction in eye lengthening with MiSight® 1 day lenses: CooperVision data on file 2019. How much do you like wearing your contact lenses? 87/97 (90%) Top box ‘I like contact lenses the best’ Subjective response @60M.

More than just vision correction, myopia management with MiSight® 1 day contact lenses can help keep your child’s future brilliant:

Corrects distance vision immediately
Can slow myopia progression during their growing years 1**
Offers a comfortable wearing experience (90% of children after 5 years preferred their MiSight® 1 day contacts over their glasses) 2
Allows you to avoid the worry of losing or breaking glasses
Accommodates a more active lifestyle 2
Provides children who wear contact lenses a significantly better quality of life than children wearing glasses, especially regarding athletics and appearance (over 90% of children wearing MiSight® 1 day contacts were 'happy' with the overall experience of wearing contact lenses)2

What does the program include?

The Brilliant Futures™ Program is designed to fit busy lifestyles and offer you and your child the support you need to succeed. It includes:

An annual supply of MiSight® 1 day daily disposable lenses
Free shipping and free returns, including prescription changes
Office visits outlined for the entire year
Access to additional online support tools
A helpful app with education resources and appointment reminders

Additional Brilliant Futures™ Program Resources (that are also available in the Brilliant Futures™ app)

Brilliant Futures™ Program Footnotes:

*Indications for use: MiSight® 1 day (omafilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded after each removal.

**Compared to a single vision 1 day lens over a 3 year period.

1. Chamberlain P, et al. A 3-year Randomized Clinical Trial of MiSight Lenses for Myopia Control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019;96(8):556–567.

2. Walline JJ, et al. Benefits of contact lens wear for children and teens. Eye Contact Lens. 2007;33(6 Pt 1):317-21.

3. Rah MJ, et al. Vision specific quality of life of pediatric contact lens wearers. Optom Vis Sci. 2010;87(8):560-6.

OPTION TWO: Paragon Vision Sciences Corneal Refractive Therapy

Paragon Corneal Refractive Therapy™ or CRT™ lenses by Coopervision are another non-surgical solution to nearsightedness or myopia.*** CRT™ lenses use a technique also known as orthokeratology or Ortho-K where Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses are worn overnight to flatten the curvature of the cornea while you sleep. In the morning, simply remove the lenses and enjoy your enhanced vision. It will take between 7 to 14 days of treatment to obtain unaided-vision throughout your day.

Studies of orthokeratology suggest long-term wear may reduce the risk of myopic progression by as much as 43%.4 However, there is an increased risk of infection with any overnight contact lens. Strict contact lens hygiene greatly reduces the risk of contact lens complications and infections. Only your eye care professional can know whether or not Corneal Refractive Therapy™ is right for you or your child.

Paragon Corneal Refractive Therapy™ Program Footnotes:

***Indications for use: Paragon CRT® Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses for Corneal Refractive Therapy indicated for use in the reduction of myopic refractive error in nondiseased eyes. The lenses are indicated for overnight wear in a Corneal Refractive Therapy fitting program for the temporary reduction of myopia up to 6.00 diopters in eyes with astigmatism up to 1.75 diopters. The lenses may be disinfected using only a chemical disinfection system.

4. Sun Y et al. PLoS One. 2015;10(4):e0124535.

Please contact one of our team members to learn how to enroll your child in one of our myopia management programs!