On the Coast – Families Issue 92 | February / March 18 | Page 9
Sure Eye Care
Myopia
the silent epidemic
putting your kids at risk
by Dr Amanda Rungis – Optometrist
Myopia (short-sightedness) starts at an early
age and brings with it the likelihood of other
eye health problems. It increases the risk of
blindness and vision loss due to:
myopic maculopathy –
up to 41 x more likely
retinal detachment – up to
22 x more likely
glaucoma – up to 14 x
more likely
Why be concerned?
Myopia is worryingly becoming more
prevalent. If current trends continue, by 2050
half the world’s population will be myopic.
Who’s at greatest risk?
Kids who:
Have a prescription less than
+075D at age 6
Have parents/grandparents who are short-
sighted
Spend excessive close work on a
digital device
Don’t spend adequate time outdoors –
minimum of 2 hours
Are you concerned about your child’s
or grandchild’s vision? There's a free online
resource for parents and grandparents –
www.mykidsvision.org. This simple, six
question survey helps you assess a child’s risk
of myopia.
All children/teens need an eye examination
annually and more regularly if they're at high
risk of developing myopia.
Is there hope?
Fortunately, we do have treatment strategies
and lifestyle changes, to help delay onset and
control progression. Research has shown that
these strategies are most effective at slowing
the progress of myopia:
Orthokeratology, also called orthoK
or overnight vision therapy
MiSight contact lenses
Atropine drug therapy
Despite these treatment options, research
has shown that most optometrists
prescribe either distance only spectacles
or distance only contact lenses for
progressing or young myopes. This is
concerning, because neither of these
strategies have been shown to slow
progression.
To me it's an extraordinary privilege to tell
a parent – ‘I’m not just going to
watch your child getting worse and
give them stronger glasses every
year. I'm going to do everything
I can to slow his/her myopia so
they're more likely to have a lifetime
of great vision.’
Identifying myopia as early
as possible and controlling the
progression of myopia is essential
for long-term eye health. If you are
concerned about your child’s vision,
please make an appointment to see
us as a soon as possible. We look
forward to caring for your child.
Amanda is an Optometrist with a special interest in orthoK and slowing myopia. She is the owner of Sure Eye Care,
a purpose built preventive eye care and vision education centre in West Gosford. She is vice-president of
the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania (OSO).
HER
VISION
IS HER
FUTURE
Concerned about your
child’s vision?
Sure Eye Care specialises in
preventative treatments to
slow the progression of
Myopia - short sightedness.
Call 4337 6000 or Book Online
SureEyeCare.com.au
FEBRUARY/MARCH – ISSUE 92
9