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Special short sighted glasses and contact lenses for kids

March 20, 2023

Did you know that currently one in 3 people in the UK are affected by short-sightedness? Medically known as myopia, short-sightedness is when objects in the distance appear blurred or hazy. Difficulty seeing clearly can affect a child’s development in the classroom, playground and beyond. As their prescription increases over the years, it can also increase the risk of developing serious eye conditions such as retinal detachments and glaucoma in later life.

Read on to learn more about myopia and how special short-sighted glasses and contact lenses can protect your child’s vision with our myopia control methods.

What is myopia?

 

Myopia has become a growing cause for concern, particularly in our increasingly digital world. With more children using digital devices, reading, studying or generally spending less time outdoors, myopia is on the rise and appears to be developing in children at even younger ages now. By 2050, it’s predicted that 50% of the global population will be short-sighted. Hereditary, behavioural and environmental factors also play a role. While there is currently no cure for myopia, it is possible to slow down its progression in children to protect their vision using myopia management methods.

Signs your child may have myopia

Very often, children aren’t aware that they are having trouble seeing. Rather, they assume that what they see is normal. That’s why it’s important to be aware of myopia symptoms and ensure your child’s eyesight is regularly tested. Some common signs of myopia to watch out for in your child are:

  • squinting their eyes to see
  • sitting closeer to a TV or computer screen
  • holding objects close to their face
  • experiencing frequent headaches
  • lack of interest in sports or activities that require good distance vision
  • excessively rubbing their eyes

If you or their teacher notices any of these signs, we advise booking a children’s eye test as soon as possible. Once one of our experienced optometrists has ruled out any other issues with their eyes by checking both their vision and eye health and if they find your child is short sighted, they can recommend the most suitable myopia management method for them.

Myopia management methods

We offer both contact lens and spectacle lens management methods to help control myopia progression based on what your child is most comfortable with.

1. Ortho K lenses – Available at our opticians in Kenton – The Vision Clinic – Orthokeratology contact lenses are worn overnight while your child sleeps. During this time, the contact lens gently temporarily reshapes the surface of the eye, correcting their vision and is also clinically proven to slow down myopia progression. Once your child wakes up, all they have to do is remove the lenses and they’ll experience clear vision all day and freedom from wearing glasses or regular contact lenses. These are safe to wear for children as young as 8 years old and as they are inserted at home under parental supervision and worn while your child is the least active, you won’t have to worry about them getting lost or damaged like regular glasses or contact lenses. You’ll also have peace of mind that their vision is being protected in the long term.

2. MiSight 1 Day soft contact lenses – These are soft daily disposable lenses that are worn every day. They help correct short-sightedness like regular contact lenses, but are also clinically proven to slow down myopia progression by 59%, thanks to their special ActivControl® Technology. Children who want to enjoy clear, spectacle-free vision without the responsibility of caring for and cleaning their contacts are ideal candiates for MiSight 1 Day contacts. They’re easy to adapt to, and statistics show that 90% of children said they preferred wearing their MiSight® 1 day contact lenses over wearing their glasses. This myopia control option is available at our opticians in Kenton and Vision Care opticians Baker Street.

3. MiYOSMART spectacle lenses – These revolutionary lenses can be put into any children’s frames and are designed to correct your child’s vision like normal glasses, but also have award winning technology that provides something called constant myopic defocus. When worn everyday, this is clinically proven to slow down myopia progression by 60% on average. With their durable and impact-resistant design, they’re made to fit a child’s active life. They also come with anti-glare and UV protection so that your child can live their lives carefree and with visual comfort. Again, this is available at both our opticians in Kenton and Vision Care opticians Baker Street.

Contact us

If you’d like to learn more about myopia control or simply want to make sure your child’s vision is in top-notch condition, we are here for you. Please don’t hesitate to book an appointment or contact us with any questions – we want to help you give your child a brighter, clearer future, today.

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