As eye care practitioners, staying updated with the latest research and advancements in myopia management is crucial for providing the best care to our patients. At Westmead Eyes, we are committed to staying at the forefront of myopia control strategies to ensure the long-term eye health and well-being of our patients. In this post, we’ll delve into some of the recent groundbreaking research presented at the ARVO2024 conference, shedding light on various approaches to myopia management.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-k)
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-k, continues to be a promising option for myopia management, particularly in younger patients. Recent studies have highlighted its effectiveness in slowing axial length elongation, a key factor in myopia progression. Combining Ortho-k with low-dose atropine has shown superior efficacy compared to monotherapy, emphasising the importance of tailored treatment approaches.
Soft Contact Lenses
Innovative soft contact lenses have emerged as valuable tools in myopia management. Research indicates that lenses with a +2.50 Add are particularly effective, especially during the summer months. These lenses offer a protective effect against myopia onset, underscoring the importance of year-round treatment consistency.
Spectacles
Recent trials have explored novel spectacle lens designs aimed at slowing myopia progression. Lenslet-ARray-Integrated (LARI) lenses, featuring positive and negative power lenslets, have shown promising results in reducing refractive and axial length changes. Additionally, Highly Aspherical Lenslet (HAL) design lenses (Essilor Stellest) have demonstrated significant myopia control efficacy over a 5-year period, highlighting their potential as a long-term management solution. DIMS (Hoya Miyosmart) spectacle lenses effectively stabilised myopia in children, emphasising the potential of this treatment approach for diverse populations.
Low Dose Atropine
Multi-year trials have demonstrated the sustained myopia control benefits of low-dose atropine, providing valuable insights into its role as a viable treatment option. Studies have shown that continued use of 0.01% atropine over multiple years provides ongoing slowing of myopia progression without causing rebound effects upon discontinuation. This underscores its potential as a sustainable treatment approach for patients of all ages.
Empowering Patients with Knowledge
The field of myopia management continues to evolve rapidly, offering new hope for patients seeking effective solutions to control their myopia progression. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our myopia management services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.