The issue is the underlying medical problems that potentially accompany all people with myopia across a lifetime. These include structural abnormalities such as glaucoma, retinal degeneration, tears and detachments alongside the possibility of loss of central vision by myopic macular degeneration. Tragically, any of these conditions are potentially blinding.
The risk of these conditions increases as the level of myopia increases.
BBR Optometry have been at the forefront of developing and offering strategies for myopia management, for example using “Overnight Vision Correction” (OVC) otherwise known as Orthokeratology and MiSight® 1 Day Contact Lenses since their launch in early 2017.
The unique MiSight 1-day lens - now available at BBR Optometry
The release of MiSight® 1 Day contact lenses means that optometrists have a licensed daily contact lens with evidence-based scientific data that myopia progression can be slowed.
The study into MiSight® 1 Day lenses is currently into its fifth year and is the longest running clinical trial regarding contact lenses worn in children.
During the first three years, data was collected from a group of children who started wearing MiSight ® 1 Day contact lenses and this was compared with a control group who were wearing a comparable standard contact lens. The growth of the eyeball and prescription were measured for 3 years in both groups. There was a significant 59% reduction in the progression of myopia in the MiSight ® 1 Day group versus the control group and this stayed stable over the 3 years.
At year 4, the control group were also fitted with the MiSight ® 1 Day contact lenses. Since then, the progression rate of the control group has reduced to mimic the progression rate of the original MiSight ® 1 Day group. This indicates that the MiSight ® 1 Day lenses are comparatively effective at any age regardless of what the baseline prescription is or length in treatment.
The study is due to continue for another 2 years.