Myopia Control
Night lenses are proven to control Myopia (short sight) in young people and children.
Myopia, casually called “Short sight”, is a condition that, unknown to many, increases sight threatening conditions such as retinal detachments and diseases like glaucoma and myopic macular degeneration. Treat these seriously. The higher the Myopia, the higher the risk of diseases.
Myopia leads to the eye growing longer, making the retina more likely to degenerate. If we think of the eye like a camera, the retina is the film, capturing what we see. If the retina becomes damaged this can lead to sight loss that cannot be corrected with spectacles or surgery. In the worst case it can lead to partial sight or blindness.
The good news is that the amount of Myopia can now be reduced in children. The chart below shows how EARLY CONTROL should help your child see better over their lifetime, reducing their risk of eye disease later on in life.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS & YOUR CHILD (on the chart above)
RED – High myopia. Vital to get early control
AMBER – Moderate myopia. Green zone possible
GREEN – This is where we’re aiming for
AN ‘EYE TEST’ ASSESSES THE HEALTH OF THE EYE
Eye tests are not a ‘test for glasses’. They test eye health. Our children are predicted to live until they are 90+ so their eyes need to last a long time! The RED ZONE means poorer eye health – when they get older they may struggle to see the top line of the chart without correction, may be unable to drive and will have a higher risk of eye disease. Taking early action now to keep them in the GREEN or the AMBER will help them later in life. Every Dioptre counts. Low myopia now = better later.
Starting Night Lenses early (age 9) was the best thing I ever did for my sons
Jaimin’s 2 sons (below) were in the RED ZONE but control from age 9 & 10 meant they got into AMBER, their vision stabilised and are both currently on course to head into the GREEN ZONE. No early control would mean them both struggling to see the top line of the chart for most of their life.
“I have two teenage sons, both of whom have myopia. The older one (now 16) has been wearing a myopia control device from the age of 9 when he was at -2.00 in both eyes. He has only progressed by -1.00 over the last 7 years. The younger son (now 14) started at -1.50 and has been totally stable since the age of 10. They are both in the GREEN ZONE.
As a dad starting early to help my boys see well and decrease their risk of eye disease later in life was the best thing I ever did. As a clinician myopia control in youngsters is quite simply one of the most rewarding things I do”
JAIMIN PATEL, OPTOMETRIST (& DAD)
I’m gutted we didn’t start earlier (we started aged 14)
Tom’s son (in the red wetsuit below at the age he was first diagnosed with Myopia (short sight) aged 8) was in the RED ZONE but control from the aged of 14 means he is is now stablised and heading into the AMBER ZONE. He will never reach the GREEN ZONE. No early intervention means he has a 40% greater chance of eye disease (Glaucoma and Myopic Macular Degeneration) later on in life than Jaimin’s son above.
“Benjamin is short sighted” This is what the optician said. My wife and I thought nothing of it. Short sight is harmless right? Benjamin was 8 (his age in the photo above, red wetsuit). Aged 9-13 his sight crashed down to -3.75 & -4.00.
We finally understood ‘myopia’ and the long-term risks when he was 14 and fitted him with Nocturnal night lenses for myopia control. Stable for 2 years now, he’s RED going into AMBER (upper dotted line).
I’m gutted that we didn’t start earlier, to give him better sight and a better life. I wish this campaign and information had been around. Parents, start early!”
TOM GRIFFITHS, DAD
Myopia Control Awareness Campaign
Scotlens, the manufacturer of the Nocturnal™ night lens, is proud to support the Myopia Control Awareness Campaign.
The message to parents is
– Please take Myopia control seriously
– Start early to give your children better vision and a better life
CLICK HERE to head to their website