In recent years, the landscape of myopia management for children has undergone a transformative shift, and at the forefront of this revolution is orthokeratology, more commonly known as ortho-k. As a groundbreaking and non-invasive approach, ortho-k not only corrects vision but actively works to slow down the progression of myopia.
At Mississauga and Brampton Vision Centres, we offer ortho-k for children with myopia in Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Oakville, and Toronto.
The Digital Odyssey: Screens, Myopia, and Your Child
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or the elongation of the eyeball, leading light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it.
It isn't just a grown-up thing. It can sneak up on children, too, even if they have no personal or family history of nearsightedness.
If your child can't resist the allure of screens up close, is the maestro of Minecraft, the champion of Fortnite, or the undisputed TikTok dance king or queen — chances are their eyes are clocking in overtime and at risk of developing myopia.
The Eye Revolution: Ortho-K to the Rescue
Digital screens are like magnets for young eyes, pulling them in closer and closer. Unfortunately, the more your little one binge-watches their favourite shows or scrolls through social media, the more they're signing up for a date with myopia.
Luckily, ortho-k stands out as a game-changer, addressing the underlying causes of myopia, unlike traditional methods like corrective lenses. It’s as simple as wearing specially designed gas-permeable lenses at night, sleeping, and waking up with clearer vision.
How Ortho-K Reduces Myopia Progression
The key to Ortho-k’s effectiveness is using rigid contact lenses that gently reshape the cornea overnight. By doing so, ortho-k addresses the underlying cause of myopia — the elongation of the eyeball—correcting refractive errors and reducing the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses.
What sets ortho-k apart is its role in myopia control, actively working to impede the progression of myopia in children. This is significant as there is a link between unchecked myopia in childhood and an increased risk of serious eye conditions in adulthood, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Other Myopia Control Methods
Beyond ortho-k, several other myopia control methods address myopia progression in children. These methods include:
- Outdoor Time: Encouraging increased outdoor activities has been associated with a reduced risk of myopia development.
- Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops slow down myopia progression, although the long-term effects are still under investigation.
- Multifocal Eyeglasses: These specialized lenses alter how light enters the eyes, potentially slowing myopia progression.
- Multifocal Contact Lenses: Similar to multifocal glasses, these lenses modify the focus and reduce myopia progression.
- Good Visual Hygiene: Educating children on proper screen habits, including the 20-20-20 rule (taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes and looking at something 20 feet away), is crucial in the digital age.
Schedule a Myopia Consultation in Mississauga & Brampton
With state-of-the-art technology and a caring eye care team, our Brampton and Mississauga Vision Centres offer ortho-k for children dealing with myopia.