Getting myopia treatment in SYdney
At The Eye Practice in Sydney we provide multiple treatments for myopia, or short-sightedness. These include eye drops, hard and soft contact lenses, as well as various types of glasses. Sometimes the best outcomes use a combination of treatments.
Myopia treatment by our caring Sydney optometrists has two main aims: To improve distance vision; and to slow down or stop the progression of myopia.
Our best myopia treatments
Using atropine eye drops can dramatically slow the progression of myopia. Studies have shown that atropine eye drops can be the most successful myopia treatment.
Atropine is a naturally occurring substance, however when used in atropine eye drops it is imperative that your optometrist prescribe a concentration with minimal side effects. When used in low concentrations as eye drops it can slow the progression of myopia in children by up to 60%.
Multifocal contact lenses can slow, and in comes cases halt, the progression of myopia. These soft contact lenses are suitable for children with nearsightedness, enabling them to read while also clearly seeing distant objects. Multifocal soft contact lenses can slow the effects of myopia in children by up to 70%.
MiyoSmart glasses are a promising new treatment for myopia in children and adults. The lenses use modern technology to focus both central and mid-peripheral vision at once.
The MiyoSmart lens works by using the eyeball’s natural ability to adapt and shape to receive focused images.
MiyoSmart lenses can slow the progression myopia in children by 59%.
Orthokeratology (also know as ortho-k) is a method of correcting vision by gently reshaping the clear part of the eye (the cornea) with contact lenses.
These specialty contact lenses are usually worn at night. When removed in the morning they leave the patient with clear distance vision. However, this effect is temporary and wears off within a day or two.
Orthokeratology is suited to both children and adults with low to moderate myopia. What’s more, it is 100% reversible.
Orthokeratology is shown to be up to 56% successful at slowing down the progression of myopia.
Multifocal glasses are one of the oldest treatments for myopia. A multifocal lens brings distant objects into focus, while maintaining natural near-vision.
Multifocal glasses are a useful tool for improving vision, however it’s important to note that they cannot stop vision getting worse.
Do combined myopia treatments work?
Combined myopia treatments do work. Our optometrists know they can slow or stop the progression of myopia, but combined treatments can achieve even better results.
Indeed, to ensure you get the best vision possible we may prescribe myopia treatments like atropine eye drops as well as glasses or contact lenses.
Atropine eye drops for children
Myopia treatment for children often includes using atropine eye drops.
Changing your Sydney lifestyle to help treat myopia
Even though optometrists can’t prevent or cure myopia, there are certain lifestyle changes you can make to help protect your vision – especially in Sydney.
Anecdotal evidence suggests there may be a link between time spent on computers and myopia, so limiting screen time is recommend.
Also, myopia seems to be less common among people who spend time outdoors. This may be because the eyeball is working across fields of vision. So take advantage of Sydney’s climate and spending more time outside. That said, it’s also important to protect your eyes from the sun, so wear sunglasses that block UV light.
In addition, it’s worth noting that people with uncorrected myopia are prone to damaging eye strain. So optometrists recommend people get an eye test every few years.
Of course, it’s important that people with pre-existing illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure pay close attention to any changes in their vision.
Myopia treatment in Sydney with Dr. Jim Kokkinakis
Dr. Jim Kokkinakis is one of Sydney’s most recognised experts in the treatment of myopia. He is also a Senior Lecturer at the Optometry School UNSW. Indeed, Jim has been improving people’s vision for over 30 years.
If you suffer myopia and live in Sydney, Dr. Kokkinakis can help. He can advise on the best myopia treatment options and tailor a solution especially for you.
