Myopia Control Clinic in our Falls Church Location
What is Myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition that causes blurry distance vision. Myopia usually begins during early childhood and can progress throughout adolescence. Myopia is a major concern as it drastically increases the risk of eye disease such as retinal tears and detachments, glaucoma and myopic degeneration.
What is Myopia Control Therapy?
Myopia control refers to evidence-based treatments that can slow down your child’s myopia progression. There are currently three treatment options available for myopia control; myopia control corneal reshaping therapy, myopia control sot multifocal contact lenses and myopia control Atropine ophthalmic therapy. Your eye doctor will review all three options and discuss which option(s) are best suited for your child.
What is Myopia Control Corneal Reshaping Therapy?
Myopia control corneal reshaping therapy are customized contact lenses that are worn nightly and removed in the morning. Theses lenses gently reshape your child’s cornea so that they may have a reduced dependency on glasses or contact lenses throughout the day. During the first few weeks, your child will experience incremental improvements in their vision and may temporarily be given soft contact lenses during this transition.
What are Myopia Control Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses?
Myopia control soft multifocal contact lenses are specially are specially designed multifocal contact lenses that are worn throughout the day and disposed of every night. These lenses differ from conventional soft multifocal contact lenses by focusing light in front of the peripheral retina known as “peripheral myopia”. This method inhibits the elongation growth of the eye which results in progressive nearsightedness.
What is Myopia Control Atropine Ophthalmic Therapy?
Utilizing low dose Atropine eye drops (0.01%) has been shown to significantly reduce the progression of myopia without affecting near vision or causing light sensitivity. It is ideal for young children for whom other myopia control methods may not be a suitable option.
Dr. Kuchem is currently seeing patient for myopia control therapy consultations at our office in Falls Church. The consultation includes specialized testing and measurements to determine your child’s candidacy for this therapy. There will be a consultation fee that is not covered under your medical or vision insurance. If you decide to move forward with treatment, your consultation fee will be applied towards the myopia control therapy global fee.
Click here to watch renowned optometrist Dr. Despotidis discuss myopia control and screen time in this TED Talk video.