MyCon Lenses

What is Myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the inability to see distant objects clearly. Nearsighted individuals see better near. Myopia is often the result of an elongated eye, measured as the axial length. Myopia causes light to be focused in front of rather than on the retina. The retina is the photographic film at the back of the eye. So why is myopia a problem, besides having to wear vision correction? Higher levels of myopia are associated with a higher risk of eye disease. Longer eyes are more susceptible to the following diseases:

The optics of myopia are seen below. Distant objects, such as street signs or chalk boards are blurred.

What are the risk factors for developing myopia?

Parental myopia, myopic siblings, Asian ancestry, myopia that appears before the age of 7, rigorous academic pursuits (high near visual demands), particularly at younger ages, and limited outdoor activity all can be used to predict myopia and its progression to high myopia. Patients with high degrees of myopia experience a poorer quality of life than those with low to moderate myopia. Refractive surgery can also be affected, with outcomes generally better in patients with lower prescriptions. Myopia control therapy can help change the future of your child’s myopia progression and significantly reduce the risk of future visual impairment.

MyCon Lenses

With MyCon™ lenses, light is diffused so that it strikes the periphery in front of the retina rather than behind it. This slows eye-length growth. The areas that control myopia progression in a MyCon™ lens are located laterally, that is, to the sides of the lens to ensure that light in the periphery does not hit behind the retina. Since the main vision zones of the lens are left undisturbed, this ensures that the child can see sharply wherever they focus their eyes.

An independent clinical study examining myopia progression in Caucasian children aged 7 to 14 years over five years has shown that myopia control lenses built on the principles of Rodenstock MyCon are effective in reducing the progression of myopia by up to 40%. Furthermore, axial elongation was reduced by up to 56% after two years and 35% after four to five years.¹

Some interesting notes about these lenses:

– available in a variety of indices (from 1.5 to 1.74) and can thus be flexibly adapted to a child’s needs

– they are both thinner and lighter than many other myopia lenses on the market

– available in light-activated photochromic Grey

– save 30% on a second pair with frame purchase

– offered with frame packages to provide the greatest value

Myopia Control Therapy is an investment in your child’s future eye health and well-being. With increased screen time at the expense of outdoor activities, myopia is growing at epidemic proportions. By 2050, half the world’s population, or 5 billion people, will be myopic. Several treatment options exist that have been found to diminish the eye’s axial lengthening and the corresponding myopia progression. After conducting a thorough eye exam, Dr. Sciberras will determine the modalities best suited for successful compliance and myopia control. At times, more than one viable option exists, and the decision will be made after deliberate consultation between the doctor and parents. We are 100 percent committed to providing you with the best value in eye care and eyewear. We strive to provide all patients with clear, comfortable vision with the best lens technology and the most convenient modality for your child. We must make the science and research available to you to ensure long-term eye health for your child.

I just want you to know some of the factors that go into deciding what myopia control therapy is best suited for your child. First, we look at the age of the child – the younger myopia starts, the worse it gets. Their current prescription – the higher it is, the higher it is likely to go. The rate of change – if we have a history of change, we act on it accordingly. Family history (genetics) of myopia – if both parents are myopic and/or older siblings have myopia, the risks of progression are much higher. The activity level and hobbies of your child – lots of reading and limited outdoor activity are associated with a greater risk. The ease of instituting these treatments, both from a cost and lifestyle considerations for compliance success. Once a plan has been devised, our office can provide the necessary training/counselling, and furnishing of the vision correction aids. Progress visits will be scheduled at intervals of 3 to 6 months to monitor and modify treatment as necessary. What we don’t want to do is skip scheduled follow-up appointments, under-correct myopia, or fail to take any action.

Early intervention through regular eye exams and myopia control therapy is the best way to maintain healthy eyes and vision preservation for your child.

To learn more about this topic, and to calculate your child’s future myopia based on their specific risk factors, visit www.MyKidsVision.org

To learn more about children’s vision and its importance to learning, click here.

Vision is a gift and should never be taken for granted. Dr. Sciberras can detect eye disease in the absence of symptoms and can determine risk factors for future eye disease. Some of the symptoms your child may display in the presence of myopia include frequent eye rubbing, squinting, sitting closer than normal for reading and viewing tasks, turning their head to the side, complaints of tired eyes, or inability to recognize signs or people from a distance.

Recommended Screen Time

0-2 years of age should have no screen time. Watching a screen at a young age can limit time for active play and learning, reduce opportunities for language development and inhibit their attention skills.
Children aged 2-5 years should have a maximum of 1 hour per day. Infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers should not be inactive or sedentary for more than one hour at a time, except for sleeping. In this age group, excessive screen time is associated with less outdoor, creative and active play time; poorer language skill development; poor social skills and an increased risk of obesity.
Children of school age (5-17 years) should be limited to 2 hours of recreational screen time per day. When using screen-based electronics, positive social interaction and experiences are encouraged. Sleep is also so important in this age group. Children aged 5-13 years should have an uninterrupted 9 to 11 hours of sleep per night and 8 to 10 hours per night for those aged 14–17 years. Consistent bed and wake-up times are very helpful, as are restricting screen time 2 hours before bed and removing screens from the bedroom where possible.
Apply the 20-20 Rule: take a break from reading or screen time every 20 minutes for 20 seconds looking at something far away (say 20 feet). He or she should look across the room to relax the focusing muscles in the eyes before commencing near viewing. Closing your eyes for another 20 seconds could go a long way to relieving dry eye symptoms.

Book your child’s next eye exam here.