Myopia, also known as short-sightedness, occurs when the image of a distant object is focused in the eye before it reaches the retina. Therefore the image that is actually formed on the retina isn’t sharp and clear.
There are known to be several contributory causes to the development of myopia in children, both genetic (myopic parents are more likely to have myopic children) and environmental (for example, children who spend more time outdoors and less time looking at digital screens are less likely to develop high levels of myopia).
Traditional spectacle lenses and contact lenses correct myopia by changing the pathway of incoming light so that it focuses perfectly on the central retina. However, at the same time they create a peripheral retinal blur which isn’t consciously noticed by the wearer, but which the body tries to compensate for in a child’s growing process by increasing the length of the eyeball. This, in turn, causes an increase in myopia for the central retina and a need for stronger (ie thicker and heavier) corrective lenses. And so the cycle continues and the myopia increases until the late teens or early twenties (and sometimes beyond).
It is now known that myopic people are unfortunately more at risk of developing various sight-threatening eye conditions in later life, including glaucoma, cataract, macular degeneration and retinal detachment. It has also been found that the greater the degree of myopia, the higher the risk of developing these conditions.
If only there were a way of limiting myopic progression in childhood to substantially reduce this risk in later life…
…well now THERE IS! Read on…
Hoya, our preferred spectacle lens supplier, in conjunction with some very clever people at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has developed a brand new lens design called the MiYOSMART. This uses groundbreaking lens technology to simultaneously produce a focus in front of the retina and also on the retina, which in turn both retards the growth of the eyeball and provides a clear, corrected image for the wearer. This has been shown in trials to reduce childhood myopia progression by an average of 60%.
Our Myopia Management Plan – what’s involved?
If your child is showing signs of myopic progression, the sooner they can begin wearing MiYOSMART lenses the better. The starting point is a full eye examination which will establish suitability for our Myopia Management Plan and the starting prescription. Regular full eye examinations at intervals of 6 months are crucial to the success of the process.
Spectacle frame choice is also important – the frame needs to fit well to keep the optical zones of the lenses in exactly the right position. For this reason, extra lens centration measurements will be taken when the glasses are first dispensed, and spectacle fitting checks between eye examination appointments are also advised (provided at no extra charge).
It may take the wearer a week or two to adapt to MiYOSMART lenses. For this reason it is suggested that in that time they refrain from too much physical activity. Thereafter, outdoor activities (and therefore focusing at distance) are positively encouraged, as this also has known beneficial effects on retarding the progression of myopia.
Prices
Due to the increased frequency of eye examinations required for the Myopia Management Plan, there is no NHS funding available for appointments nor consequently towards the cost of glasses. The long-term saving for the NHS (lower numbers needing treatment for glaucoma, cataract, macular degeneration and retinal detachment in later life), makes this situation seem rather ironic and unfortunate.
Myopia Management Monthly Payment Plan
This spreads and covers the cost of appointments and offers a 25% discount on each pair of MiYOSMART lenses needed:
Monthly standing order payment = £15
MiYOSMART lenses per pair = £390 – 25% = £292
OR:
Myopia Management Pay-As-You-Go Plan
Pay on the day for each 6-monthly eye examination (currently £45) and the full retail price for each pair of MiYOSMART lenses needed (£390).
Assuming 2 eye examinations and one pair of MiYOSMART lenses per year, the annual costs involved for each payment plan are very similar, but if more than one pair of lenses are needed in that time (due to prescription change or loss/damage to the glasses), the advantage swings firmly towards the monthly payment plan.