NORWOOD PERRIN

What is Myopia

Myopia is commonly referred to as short sightedness. If you are short sighted, you can see things comfortably up close but struggle to see clearly in the distance. Often the cause of myopia is that the eye is too long so that light focusses in front of the retina instead of focussing directly on the retina.

Around a third of the population of the UK has myopia. The condition usually starts in childhood between the ages of 6-13 years and tends to get worse until the eye has stopped growing. People are more likely to have myopia if their parents are myopic.

Standard glasses and contact lenses can correct the visual symptoms of myopia but they do not slow down how quickly myopia progresses. There are some specialised myopia management methods designed to slow down the rate at which myopia develops but they do not stop myopia from developing in the first place.

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Myopia management options at Norwood Perrin

Below are three different myopia management options that we offer at Norwood Perrin. Although no management option is guaranteed to stop the progression of myopia, all three options have been clinically studied and proven to slow down the rate at which myopia progresses.

Every dioptre of myopia counts and if left untreated, myopia can lead to serious complications in later life, such as glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment. Children with high myopia are significantly more likely to have complications later in life but early intervention can slow the progression of myopia and significantly reduce the risk of eye health related conditions developing in adulthood.

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Ortho-K

Ortho Keratology (Ortho-K) is a method that involves fitting the eye with a specially made rigid lens that reshapes the front surface of the eye (the cornea). The lenses are worn overnight, and the reshaping of the cornea means that glasses or contact lenses are not needed to be worn during the day. This is a particularly good option for someone that may struggle with wearing glasses or contact lenses during the daytime.

To fit Ortho-K lenses, we use equipment called a keratometer to take accurate measurements of the front surface of the eye to calculate the exact lens parameters required to treat your myopia. It is a painless procedure. We first conduct a full eye examination and then book a contact lens fitting appointment to take the relevant measurements. It usually takes a few appointments before we have a successful fit. Once we have found the right lens for you, they are specially manufactured and renewed every 6 months. As this specialist treatment plan is not covered by the NHS, we set you up on a monthly direct debit to cover the cost of the professional time with the optometrists and your replacement lenses and your aftercare appointments.