Myopia Control Brampton | Contact Lenses Mississauga

What is Myopia?

Myopia also known as “near-sightedness” is when an individual’s vision causes them to see clearly at near, but blurry at a distance. This is why it’s termed “near-sighted” because their vision is able to see at near only.

In a normal eye, the light rays are focused right on the retina. In a myopic eye, the light rays are focused in front of the retina. Glasses prescription or contacts will move that light ray to focus on the retina for clarity.

What is myopia control?

Myopia control is a preventative treatment that can work with your child’s growing eyes. The treatment is designed to slow eye growth. Without treatment, your child’s eyes can continue to grow longer in comparison to the curvature of the cornea, worsening myopia and potentially leading to lifelong vision complications.

Chart Illustrating How Myopia Affects Light Coming Through an Eye

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How do you slow down myopia?

Years of research has shown that optometrists can reduce myopia by using pharmaceutical eye drops, therapeutic contact lenses or therapeutic eyeglasses. The mode of action is to focus the light rays in the peripheral (side vision) in front of the retina so it does not signal the eye to grow longer.

Treatment options at Prism Myopia Control Clinic

Low dose pharmaceutical eye drops (atropine)
Orthokeratology
Daily Disposable Therapeutic Contact Lenses
Myopia specific glasses

Atropine has been used in eye care for many years. Low doses of atropine have been studied to slow down the progression of myopia by up to 50%. Common side effects are blurriness at near and light sensitivity. These side effects are dose dependent and varies between children. These drops are made at the pharmacy and are used for night-time use.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is an effective strategy for addressing myopia. These contact lenses are worn overnight for clear vision the next day. It reshapes the cornea overnight so you can be glasses-free. Think of Ortho-K as “braces” for your eyes. Braces help reshape your teeth so its more straight and Ortho-K lenses reshape your cornea so the light rays can hit your retina.

Ortho-K is not permanent so there is always an option to choose a different treatment option along the way. It currently is one of the best tools for myopia control and slows down myopia at a rate of 50-60%.

These contact lenses are worn during the day to reduce the progression of myopia. MiSight contact lenses is a Health Canada approved treatment for myopia control. It focuses the light rays in the peripheral (side vision) in front of the retina so it does not signal the eye to grow longer. It has been studied to slow myopia by 59%.

There are custom glasses that can alter the light ways to reduce eyeball elongation. HOYA’s DIMS Lens allows for clear straight-ahead vision, but the peripheral is less focused to control the myopia growth. The reduction of myopia in these glasses varies from 30-60%.

How Do I Get Started

You will need a referral from an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist to see one of our specialists. Once we receive the referral, the Prism team will contact you to set up an appointment for preliminary testing followed by a consultation with your doctors. You will be asked for an email address as well as your preferred pharmacy. These are important for your care journey at Prism.

Refer a Patient to Specialty Contact Lens Clinic

You will be scheduled for testing prior to seeing the doctor. This testing helps your doctor to plan your treatment and counsel you on the various options so that you can choose the best fit for your eye and your needs. Most of the testing and imaging required for specialty contact lens fit are not covered by OHIP. Prism will provide you with information about their purpose.

After checking in at the front desk, a technician will perform some preliminary tests. Your doctor and their team of associates will then examine your eyes and discuss the treatment options that are right for you.