The average age at which myopia usually stops progressing is 15 to 16 years. About 10% of myopes will progress beyond the age of 21 years. Researchers are beginning to evaluate over five years of data from a few new studies, and have come to expect some lessening of myopia control efficacy over time. But, cumulatively, children will still gain benefit from myopia control treatment over traditional single-vision spectacle correction for as long as their myopia continues to progress. Stopping treatment may be considered when the myopia progression rate slows, which is usually when children reaches late adolescence. However, close monitoring is mandatory in managing these patients. If myopia progression is detected, restarting treatment is advisable. Parents should be educated about the costs and benefits of continued treatment and assisted to make an informed decision via the use of cycloplegic autorefraction and axial length measurements to monitor progression.
Archives: FAQs
When should children start myopia control treatment?
Myopia progression is best predicted by age, with younger onset associated with faster advancement and, eventually, higher levels of myopia. Myopia control alternatives should be explained to parents of any myopic child, but especially those under the age of 12. Myopia mitigation should be prioritized for children presenting with the following risk factors: parental myopia, reduced time outdoors, East Asian ethnicity, less than age expected hyperopia and female gender.
Unfortunately, there is insufficient evidence that any myopia control treatments will be effective in slowing cases of pathologic myopia. Pathologic or degenerative myopia is defined as the presence of structural changes due to axial elongation in eyes with high myopia. Fortunately, most children develop what’s often known as “school age” myopia, which is generally well-managed with current myopia control treatments.
If I wear my eyeglasses all the time, won’t my vision get worse?
Eyeglasses cause light from things we see to come to a focus on the retina. This creates clear vision. Just like focusing a camera lens makes a distant object appear sharp on a film plane. Eyeglasses will not change the anatomy or the physiology of your eyes. If glasses are worn, things you see will be clearer. If not worn, they will be blurrier. Glasses will not cause any damage to your eyes. If one puts on glasses that have the wrong prescription, vision may be blurry, your eyes may feel strained and tired and you may even suffer from mild headaches. However, no permanent, negative consequences will ensue. Often, when patients wear glasses and get used to seeing clearly, they perceive increased blurry vision when the glasses are removed, giving the impression that the glasses made their vision worse.
I have a favorite frame, can I still use it with the new prescription?
A favorite frame can be reused for new and updated lenses. You should consider the condition of the frame and if it makes sense to put new, possibly expensive lenses, into a frame that doesn’t have much life left in it. However, if the frame looks good, we can certainly put new lenses into it. Bring your frame in and let us take a look. We have cut new lenses in many patient’s own frames, in our own lab, and we would be happy to examine your frame and give it a second chance.
My glasses broke, what can I do?
Sometimes a favorite pair of glasses can be repaired. We offer many eyeglass repair services to fix your broken glasses including readjustments, screw replacement, nosepad replacement. Send us a photo of your glasses, or bring them to our office and we’ll let you know if we can repair them.