Myopia is the clinical name for what most people call shortsightedness. This means your eyes struggle to focus on objects at a distance, but have no issue at close range.
It’s a common condition, especially in children. It affects 1 in 3 people in the UK and prevalence is twice as high in youngsters today compared to the 1960s. Estimates suggest that half the global population could be affected by 2050.
What’s happening?
Myopia can simply be due to genetic factors – i.e. inherited from your parents.
However, research has shown that extensive screen time, continuous focus at short range, and not spending enough time outdoors (aim for at least 2 hours), are all contributing to the rise in myopia.
What consequences can it have?
As you get older myopia increases the risk of more serious eye problems such as retinal detachment, macular degeneration and glaucoma – different conditions that can all cause vision loss.
What are my options?
Myopia is managed rather than cured and treatment is most effective when started early.
There are some remarkable high-tech glasses and contact lenses available today that are highly effective at slowing its progress, helping with vision stabilisation and preserving your sight for the future.
Glasses for myopia
There are a plethora of different lenses available, and some are designed specially for myopia management.
We offer proven solutions such as:
- Hoya MiYOSMART – featuring Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) technology
- Essilor Stellest – featuring Highly Aspherical Lenslets Target (HALT) technology
- Optimum optiMYOPE+ – based on the hyperopic theory.
These all sound quite complicated (because they are!) and while there are subtle differences between them, they all work on slowing down the elongation of the eye, which is the key issue.
Studies have shown MiYOSMART and Stellest can slow myopia by around 60% while optiMYOPE+ clinical trials showed an incredible 39% lower increase in axial length (i.e. reducing elongation speed) in just 12 months.
Contact lenses for myopia
Contact lenses are a brilliant alternative and/or addition to glasses. Some work in the same way as glasses lenses and others, such as orthokeratology lenses (ortho-k) work by temporarily reshaping the eye overnight.
Ask us about top contact lenses such as:
- MiSight
- NaturalVue
- Ortho-K Bloom
- Scotlens Nocturnal 2
- Alexa AR (Positive Impact)
- Mylo and Mylo Toric by Mark Ennovy
- off-label ortho-k options
Contacts are a popular option – a 3-year study into MiSight showed that 90% of children both preferred them to glasses and can handle them on their own.
Whether you prefer glasses or contacts, we’ll help you or your child to find the best solution from as early as 5 years old.
Ocumetra
At Feltham Eyecare Centre, we use Ocumetra Software to carefully track and monitor your child’s myopia progression. This cutting-edge tool allows us to measure axial length changes – a key indicator of how your child’s short-sightedness is developing. By monitoring this alongside prescription changes, we can assess how effective their current myopia management plan is and make timely adjustments if needed. For long-term support and peace of mind, we recommend enrolling in our Myopia Management Eyeplan – an all-inclusive care package starting from just £11.50 per month. This plan covers at least two comprehensive eye exams a year, discounted eyewear, priority appointments, and access to advanced technologies like Eidon Retinal Imaging and OCT, ensuring your child’s eyes are always in safe hands.
How about costs?
We have a variety of offers available, some from just £10 a month, with at least 25% off lenses and frames.
Highlights include:
- £30/month glasses package with new myopia-specific lenses annually (upfront payment required) – comes with 2 advanced eye exams a year (Eidon imaging and axial length measurements, and use of Ocumetra software)
- £12/month contact lens care packages, which include eye exams and aftercare
ortho-k lens and care bundles start from £35 per month (20% discount, excludes solutions) - other treatments such as red light therapy (£50/month with £250 upfront) and combined therapies