Many recent studies have found that, most of children spend their average time in a day by using different gadgets like smartphone, playing video games, watching television and using stereo systems. Kids loves to use all these gadgets as they found it very interesting and most of the time parents do allow and practice them to use it. The effect using gadgets on children’s eyes has turned out as an important topic to discuss nowadays.
Nowadays, having healthy eye and clear vision are critical in children. We often came across with children with myopia and amblyopia. We as an eye practitioner recommend parents or guardian to get their children eye tested regularly, as many vision problem and eye diseases can be detected and treated in early phases. Mostly children with myopia and amblyopia has to get their eyes tested and get the proper treatment as soon as possible as this eye problem can be worsen after certain point of time.
Zeiss Myokids is a specially designed progressive addition spectacle lens for children to control the accommodative lag during near vision tasks. The top half of the lenses correct the myopia, provide a clear and shape vision for distance while the bottom active zone simultaneously support near vision tasks.
Myopia is a significant global public health concern since few decades, which were affecting 85% to 90% of young adults in some Asian countries such as Singapore and Taiwan. In a survey of school children in Malaysia, found prevalence of myopia was 42% Chinese and 15% Malay.
Orthokeratology, also known as Ortho-K is a non-surgical procedure of reshaping the cornea gently while you sleep, with a specially designed therapeutic gas permeable contact lens. This type of contact lenses can have a successful fitting by correcting the refractive error, primarily myopia (near-sighted) but astigmatism and hyperopia (long-sighted). Ortho-K sometimes called corneal reshaping (CR), corneal refractive therapy or even vision shaping.
Ortho-K lenses gradually change the cornea curvature overnight to reduce corneal refractive power, resulting in images being focused on the retina. The successful of Ortho-k fitting occurs as vision will be improved after remove the lenses without the needs of wearing any glasses or contact lenses during the day.
Process of cornea reshaping in overnight
The main objective of Ortho-K is help to slow down myopia progression in children. The myopia epidemic in Asia is evident because the prevalence of high myopia among young adults is higher among Asian (6.8% – 21.6%) compared to non-Asian populations (2.0% – 2.3%). [YL Wong et al 2016]
Besides that, Ortho- K lenses is a non-surgical and reversible vision correction treatment. For those children who wish spectacle free during day time activities but too young for LASIK, Ortho-K is the most suitable option. Ortho-K is a specially designed gas permeable contact lens which offers high oxygen transmission to maintain eye health.
Jennifer (2018) stated that when Ortho-K used for partial or full correction of myopia, has been shown to slow down myopic progression in children by 35-56 % as compared to controlled group who wearing spectacle or contact lenses.
Example of successful Ortho-K fitting
The criteria for Ortho-K including myopia below -6.00D and astigmatism below -2.00D. Children and teenagers with myopia progression (power increment) are suitable for Ortho-K treatment. Individuals who are active in sport, individual whose occupation do not encourage eyewear. Ortho-K is another best alternative to LASIK. Compliance and independent characteristics is very important as well.
Ortho-K is a specially designed gas permeable contact lens that wears overnight to reshape the corneal curvature and correct the refractive error which provide a spectacle free clear vision to carry on dailies activities. For more information, do contact your best optometrist in KL
Good eyesight is important for everyone including young children. It’s a parents dream and goal to see their children happy and excel in academics or even sports. We do believe all parents will give the best education opportunities for their children.
High myopia is exactly like what it sounds like, a high degree of nearsightedness or short-sighted. This eye condition is a relatively severe level of short-sightedness that can lead or be associated with significant eye health complications.
A new concern among parents nowadays emerges as the numbers of children who are short-sighted or myopic has been increasing year after year. The questions of is my child short-sighted? Why is she short-sighted? How can I help my child?
The percentage of the human population who has myopia also referred to as “Rabun Jauh” or Shortsightedness is increasing day by day. It is expected that the percentage will continue to increase. In the future, it is expected that half of the human population will have myopia.
