What is Progressive Myopia? 

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Progressive myopia is a term to describe a condition where myopia, or nearsightedness, continues to progress at an accelerating rate. Most children who are nearsighted are expected to have their prescription worsen by about 0.25 to 0.50 diopters, or units of prescription, per year. Progressive myopia is therefore defined as greater than 0.50 diopters of change per year. 

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As myopia, or nearsightedness, continues to worsen, the eye itself becomes physically stretched. This stretching of the intra-ocular structures can cause: increased glaucoma risk, retinal thinning, increased risk of retinal tears or detachments, and reduced best-corrected visual acuity. 

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The most commonly prescribed progressive myopia treatment to date is bifocals or progressive glasses. This is theorized to relax the demand on the visual system at near, thus decreasing the need for further nearsightedness to develop. 

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However, we now know there are much more efficient and effective treatments at preventing nearsightedness from worsening. These include: Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses, Orthokeratology Lenses, and Atropine medical therapy. 

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Soft multifocal contact lenses are comparable to wearing a bifocal but in a contact lens. Orthokeratology is an exciting technology as it is both highly effective and preventing progressive myopia, and has the added benefit of allowing the patient to see 20/20 all day without the need for corrective lenses! Atropine therapy is typically reserved for severe cases and involves the instillation of Atropine (a dilating eye drop) once daily. 

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If your child is suffering from progressive myopia call our office to schedule a consultation today! 

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