Eye Care Technologies for Managing Myopia

Sreeja Surisetti
Jan 7, 2024
3 min read

By: Bhavya Koneti

Myopia has become a growing global concern, prompting a surge in innovative eye care technologies to prevent and manage myopia.

Optical Correction treatments

Ortho-k lenses

Ortho-k lenses can be compared to braces. They are applied at night to flatten the cornea so that light directly hits the retina. When removed in the morning, they provide almost perfect vision without the need for glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Ortho-k lenses provide a temporary solution, as the effect wears off if they are not used every night.

Although Ortho-k lenses may appear to be the ideal solution for achieving 20/20 vision, they come with an increased risk of bacterial and microbial eye infections. According to the CDC, nearly one million Americans visit the doctor every year due to eye infections caused primarily by contact lens usage. Therefore, it is crucial to schedule regular eye checkups with an ophthalmologist to ensure the health of one’s eyes. Additionally, Ortho-k lenses require the user to have a specific range of eyesight for them to properly function.

Multifocal Contact Lenses:

In a myopic eye, the light that enters the eye focuses in front of the retina. While using contact lenses can help focus the light onto the retina, it doesn't solve the problem of light in the periphery of the eye focusing behind the retina. This can cause the eye to elongate, which makes myopia worse. However, multifocal contact lenses can help solve this problem. These lenses help peripheral light to focus in front of the retina, which can slow down the progression of myopia.

Pharmaceutical Treatments

Two pharmaceutical treatments for myopia are widely debated - Atropine Eye drops and Pirenzepine Gel. Low-dose atropine drops are used to relax the eye muscles and dilate the pupils, which helps restore the fluid in the eye, thereby preventing dry eye. However, these eye drops can cause redness or itchiness around the eye. Moreover, a trial conducted by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group and funded by NIH in 2023 showed that atropine drops had no direct effect on slowing myopia. Similarly, the effectiveness of Pirenzepine Gel reveals mixed results, and more research is required to rely on it fully.

Surgery for Correction

Surgery is s typically recommended only for individuals over 18 years old whose vision prescription has stabilized. It is also crucial to consult with an eye care professional to determine if surgery is a suitable option based on one's eye health, prescription stability, and other factors.

LASIK:

Lasik surgery reshapes the cornea by flattening it manually so that light can hit the retina directly.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

RLE is a lens transplant where the natural lens is replaced with a synthetic lens that has a built-in correction for myopia.

Although these surgical interventions do exist, there are potential risks of complications, including infection, bleeding, inflammation, retinal detachment, and increased intraocular pressure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while various advanced treatments like surgical interventions, pharmaceutical options, and innovative optic technologies exist to address pediatric myopia, it is much simpler to prioritize healthy lifestyle habits to prevent the condition. Spending time outdoors, maintaining a healthy diet, and adopting the 20-20-20 rule for screen time, among other strategies discussed in this blog series, can significantly contribute to maintaining healthy vision and overall eye health. By focusing on these natural preventive methods, individuals can empower themselves and their children to lead a healthy life.