How have myopia control soft contact lenses helped children in your practice manage and slow the progression of myopia? Myopia control soft contact lenses have proven to be effective in slowing down the progression of myopia among children. By mitigating the elongation of the eyeball, these lenses help reduce the risk of developing high myopia-related complications, such as myopic macular degeneration and glaucoma, in the future. Additionally, they allow children to engage in outdoor activities with greater freedom, which can be particularly beneficial for their overall quality of life and development. We’ve worked with several young patients who have benefited from myopia control soft contact lenses. For example, we have a 10-year-old boy who had been wearing normal glasses for 2 years, but his prescription kept increasing. I proposed myopia control soft contact lenses to both the parents and the patient. They were convinced after I explained the benefits and the risks associated with high myopia. After 19 months of wearing the lenses, his myopia and eyeball elongation are under control. One bonus is that the boy can now enjoy basketball with his contact lenses.
What are the main challenges and opportunities in managing myopia among children in Malaysia? The main challenges in managing myopia among children in Malaysia include: a) Lack of Information: Many parents are not adequately informed or educated about the benefits and importance of myopia management. b) Public Misconceptions: There is a prevalent misconception that contact lenses are unsafe or unsuitable for children, which can deter parents from considering this option. c) Reluctance Among ECPs: Some eye care practitioners are hesitant to promote myopia control soft contact lenses due to concerns about longer chair time and higher costs, which can affect the adoption of these effective treatments. We have encountered several cases where parents initially held misconceptions about myopia management with soft contact lenses. For instance, one parent initially refused to allow his daughter to wear contact lenses, fearing they might cause eye infections and complications. After I clarified that most problems arise from improper use of monthly replacement lenses, which require daily cleaning and disinfecting, he changed his mind. His daughter started using myopia control soft contact lenses, and with our continued education and support, we effectively addressed these concerns. This approach has helped many parents overcome their initial skepticism and embrace myopia management solutions for their children.
How have myopia control soft contact lenses helped children in your practice manage and slow the progression of myopia? Myopia control soft contact lenses have been gaining popularity and acceptance among both parents and children as awareness grows about the dangers associated with high myopia. These lenses not only help slow myopia progression but also offer improved comfort and convenience compared to conventional contact lenses, contributing to better adherence and overall management of the condition.

Insights from Elizabeth Lumb on understanding interventions for myopia control

How do myopia control soft contact lenses work compared to traditional single-vision glasses in managing myopia progression in children? Myopia, or nearsightedness, causes distant objects to appear blurry because the eye is too long or the cornea is too curved. As children grow, their myopia often worsens, meaning a child with a small prescription may develop a high prescription by adulthood. While glasses correct vision and help children see clearly, such as the board in school, myopia-controlling contact lenses not only correct vision but also slow down the changes in prescription. This helps ensure that a young myopic child won’t experience big changes in prescription between eye examinations and can maintain good vision at school. A myopic eye is effectively too long, and this places the eye’s delicate internal structures at risk of issues, such as retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy which have the potential to be sight-threatening.
At what age should myopia control interventions be initiated, and how does the effectiveness vary based on the age of the child? Myopia control interventions should be initiated as soon as a child is diagnosed with myopia. Since children diagnosed at a young age have a longer path of myopia progression ahead of them, it’s crucial to start treatment early. This has been demonstrated in a 7-year study—the longest of its kind on soft contact lens interventions for myopia—which showed that children who began treatment at a younger age experienced more significant reductions in myopia progression compared to those who started at a later age. Given that any amount of slowing provides a significant reduction in the risk of myopia-related eye health problems, older children can also benefit from myopia control interventions. While it’s important to start treatment as soon as myopia is diagnosed, it’s never too late to begin.
What are the key benefits of using myopia control soft contact lenses over other myopia management treatment modalities? Myopia control soft contact lenses offer several advantages over other treatment modalities. Once a child puts in their contact lenses in the morning, they stay in place all day. This consistent wear is crucial, as optimal myopia control depends on full-time wear as recommended by the manufacturer. In contrast, children using myopia-controlling glasses, especially younger ones with low levels of myopia, might be tempted to remove them and forget to put them back on. Studies with spectacle lenses emphasize the importance of wearing glasses for at least 12 hours a day, which can be challenging due to children’s active lifestyles. Myopia-controlling soft contact lenses are available in a daily disposable modality, providing a fresh lens each day with no need for cleaning solutions—an ideal feature for children. Overall, these lenses offer a user-friendly approach that integrates well with children’s dynamic activities and daily schedules, making them a valuable option for managing myopia progression.

By understanding the complexities of myopia progression and the potential long-term implications, we can empower parents, eye care professionals, and policymakers to prioritize eye health. Myopia control soft contact lenses have emerged as a promising solution, offering significant benefits in slowing the progression of the condition.