Do you have questions about myopia? Q&A with expert optician

[CeriMumsnet]

This Q&A is now closed. Thanks to everyone who shared a question on myopia for Charlotte, you can see the answers here.

Don't forget to sign up to attend Essilor's Class of Myopia event in Kensington on Friday 29 November to learn more!

We’re working with Essilor’s expert dispensing optician, Charlotte Timbury, to answer your questions about myopia (short-sightedness) in children. Whether you have questions about how myopia is detected, or you’d like some advice on how to manage your child’s myopia, Charlotte and Essilor are here to help.

• Post your questions on the thread below.
• Everyone who shares a question on the thread below by 12/11 will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 voucher
• Charlotte will be online in a few weeks to answer some of your questions.
• To learn more about short-sightedness in children, sign up here to attend Essilor’s ‘Class of Myopia’ event for families on 29 November.

About the expert
Charlotte Timbury FBDO qualified as a dispensing optician in 2002. With over twenty years’ experience in optics, she began her career in a highly successful, independent practice before joining Essilor in 2014. Here she has held various roles from business development manager to professional relations; a role with a primary focus on developing and delivering education and training to the industry as well as other support to various optical bodies. Charlotte is now the North Europe medical and professional affairs director for EssilorLuxottica, the manufacturers of Essilor® Stellest® lenses.

Here’s what Essilor® Stellest® lenses has to say:

“By 2025, myopia is predicted to impact half(1) of the World’s population and a
staggering one billion people are predicted to have high myopia. Higher degrees of myopia pose a greater risk of ocular complications that may lead to visual impairment or even blindness later in life. However, the earlier myopia is detected and managed in a child, the greater the chance progression can be slowed down with simple lifestyle changes and wearing a myopia control spectacle lens such as Essilor® Stellest® lenses.

A new survey(2) commissioned by Essilor® Stellest® lenses amongst 1,000 UK parents has also revealed gaps in knowledge around myopia in children, with 94% of parents of myopic children wrongly believing that wearing glasses will solve the problem.”

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ
Insight Terms and Conditions apply

References:

1. Source: Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036-1042.doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.01.006
2. International survey conducted by Ipsos in 6 countries on 6007 parents with at least one child aged from 5 to 17, from a representative sample of individuals aged from 25 to 60 in terms of age, gender, occupation, region. UK: 1000 interviews / Italy: 1001 interviews / France: 1000 interviews / Brazil: 1001 interviews / India: 1005 interviews / China: 1000 interviews. Online interviews from June 24th to July 15th 2024

Hi @Theimpossiblegirl Common ‘tell-tale’ signs to watch out for in children include:

• Difficulty seeing distant objects
• Sitting too close to the TV
• Complaining they can’t see the board at school
• Misreading signs in the distance
• Not recognising people coming towards them until they’re quite close
• Squinting
• Complaining of headaches and eyestrain
• Rubbing their eyes

If you notice any of the above symptoms, it is important to schedule an eye examination for your child.

Hi @ButtSurgery Myopia typically develops in children of school-going age and tends to worsen every year until adulthood(1) and we know that the earlier the onset of myopia, the faster it progresses(2) so it is important to have your child's eyes tested as early as possible.

1. Hou W, Norton TT, Hyman L, Gwiazda J, COMET Group. Axial elongation in myopic children and its association with myopia progression in the Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET). Eye & Contact Lens. 2018 Jul;44(4):248.
2. Sankaridurg, P., 2015. A less myopic future: what are the prospects? Clin Exp Optom, 98 (6), 494-6

Hi @pushchairprincess Common ‘tell-tale’ signs to watch out for in children include:

• Difficulty seeing distant objects
• Sitting too close to the TV
• Complaining they can’t see the board at school
• Misreading signs in the distance
• Not recognising people coming towards them until they’re quite close
• Squinting
• Complaining of headaches and eyestrain
• Rubbing their eyes

If you notice any of the above symptoms, it is important to schedule an eye examination for your child.

Hi @DinkyDaffodil Whether a child is deemed 'high risk' for myopia doesn't make them more or less eligible or successful with treatment. What we do know is important is the length of time they are wearing the glasses. For example, when worn for 12 hours a day, Essilor® Stellest® lenses are clinically proven to slow down myopia progression by 67% on average, compared to single vision lenses*(1)

• Two-year prospective, controlled, randomized, double-masked clinical trial results on 54 myopic children wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses compared to 50 myopic children wearing single vision lenses in Wenzhou China. Results based on 32 children from the Test Group wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses at least 12 hours per day every day for two consecutive years.

1. Bao, J., et al. Spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets for myopia control vs single-vision spectacle lenses: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022;140(5):472–478;

Hi @DanBenandBud We recommend that treatment is started as early as myopia is detected. Myopia is linked to genetics and a child whose parents are both myopic is, for example, up to five times more likely to become so. Essilor® Stellest® lenses can correct up to 4 dioptres of astigmatism so they are very well placed to work just as well.

Hi @Fancyquickthinker In the clinical trials, we found Essilor® Stellest® lenses slowed myopia progression by 55% in all subjects, but when we extracted those children wearing the lenses for 12 hours or more every day, this figure increased to 67%, on average*(1)

*Two-year prospective, controlled, randomized, double-masked clinical trial results on 54 myopic children wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses compared to 50 myopic children wearing single vision lenses in Wenzhou China. Results based on 32 children from the Test Group wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses at least 12 hours per day every day for two consecutive years..

1. Bao, J., et al. Spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets for myopia control vs single-vision spectacle lenses: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022;140(5):472–478;

Hi @chickenpotnoodle Unfortunately myopia control glasses and contact lens are not fully covered on the NHS but you may be entitled to a voucher to go towards some of the cost- ask your eye care professional to check if you are eligible.

Hi @Everything0Everywhere In the clinical trials, we found Essilor® Stellest® lenses slowed myopia progression by 55% in all subjects, but when we extracted those children wearing the lenses for 12 hours or more every day, this figure increased to 67%, on average*(1)

Regarding strength and durability, Essilor® Stellest® lenses are made with Airwear® which is a tough, polycarbonate material recommended for children's spectacle lenses due to its impact resistance. Also, speak to your optician about Essilor's loss and breakage guarantee which will replace the lenses at a low-fixed cost price if they are lost or broken.

*Two-year prospective, controlled, randomized, double-masked clinical trial results on 54 myopic children wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses compared to 50 myopic children wearing single vision lenses in Wenzhou China. Results based on 32 children from the Test Group wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses at least 12 hours per day every day for two consecutive years..

1. Bao, J., et al. Spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets for myopia control vs single-vision spectacle lenses: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022;140(5):472–478;

Hi @youareonlyhereonce Essilor® Stellest® lenses are clinically proven to slow down myopia progression by 67% on average, compared to single vision lenses*(1)

• Two-year prospective, controlled, randomized, double-masked clinical trial results on 54 myopic children wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses compared to 50 myopic children wearing single vision lenses in Wenzhou China. Results based on 32 children from the Test Group wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses at least 12 hours per day every day for two consecutive years.

1. Bao, J., et al. Spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets for myopia control vs single-vision spectacle lenses: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022;140(5):472–478;

Hi @youareonlyhereonce Essilor® Stellest® lenses are clinically proven to slow down myopia progression by 67% on average, compared to single vision lenses*(1)

*Two-year prospective, controlled, randomized, double-masked clinical trial results on 54 myopic children wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses compared to 50 myopic children wearing single vision lenses in Wenzhou China. Results based on 32 children from the Test Group wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses at least 12 hours per day every day for two consecutive years.

1. Bao, J., et al. Spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets for myopia control vs single-vision spectacle lenses: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022;140(5):472–478;

Hi @Montydoo Essilor® Stellest® lenses can correct up to 4 dioptres of astigmatism.

Hi @benjaminjamesandgraham Book an appointment for an eye examination with your eye care professional and they will be able to advise if Essilor® Stellest® lenses are suitable for you.

Hi @Sammyislost The NHS recommends that you start to take your child for an eye test from around 4 years old. This is whether you suspect they may have myopia or not as it is also important to detect any other eye conditions as early as possible. From there, the optometrist will recommend how frequently they should be retested- usually this is every 12 months for children up to 16 years old, unless they detect a reason to see them earlier. If both parents are myopic, the child may be up to five times more likely to also become myopic (1,2) so I would suggest taking them for a sight test to monitor this.

1.Jones L, Sinnott L, Mutti D, Mitchell G, Moeschberger M. Parental history of myopia, sports and outdoor activities, and future myopia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2007; 48(8): 3524-3532.
2.Donovan L, Sankaridurg P, Ho A, Naduvilath T, Smith EL 3rd, Holden BA. Myopia progression rates in urban children wearing single-vision spectacles. Optom Vis Sci. 2012;89(1):27-32. doi:10.1097/OPX.0b013e3182357f79

Hi @MumC2141 In most cases, myopia is caused by the eye being too long, therefore the aim of myopia progression control lenses is to slow down that growth, or lengthening. Essilor® Stellest® lenses slow down the progression of myopia using the H.A.L.T.* technology which is a constellation of invisible lenslets that create a volume of non-focused light in front of the retina. This signal helps slow down the eye elongation and therefore slows myopia progression. The lenslets are practically invisible and do not affect the child's vision, correcting their myopia as well as controlling their myopia progression.
*Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target

Hi @VegTrug Unfortunately, the lenses are not fully covered by the NHS but you may be eligible for a voucher to go towards the cost of the treatment. Your optician will be able to advise you further on this. It is true that this technology costs more than a standard spectacle lens but the long term benefits such as reducing the risk of eye conditions associated with high myopia, or even your spectacle lenses being thinner in the future are substantial. Also remember that this treatment is designed to slow myopia progression, so in many cases they do not require replacement as frequently.

Hi @Littleguggi Some studies have shown that a lack of exposure to natural light can disrupt the growth of the eye, and thus encourage the development of myopia. This is why it is recommended to spend 2 hours a day outside. However it is still important to ensure they are protected from UV light by using sunglasses and sun hat, especially in very sunny conditions. Some myopia management spectacles such as Essilor® Stellest® are also available with a sun tint so your child can continue to wear them whilst outside.

Hi @DinkyDaffodil In the clinical trials, we found Essilor® Stellest® lenses slowed myopia progression by 55% in all subjects, but when we extracted those children wearing the lenses for 12 hours or more every day, this figure increased to 67%, on average* (1)

*Two-year prospective, controlled, randomized, double-masked clinical trial results on 54 myopic children wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses compared to 50 myopic children wearing single vision lenses in Wenzhou China. Results based on 32 children from the Test Group wearing Essilor® Stellest® lenses at least 12 hours per day every day for two consecutive years..

1. Bao, J., et al. Spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets for myopia control vs single-vision spectacle lenses: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022;140(5):472–478;

Hi @UnbeatenMum Some studies have shown that a lack of exposure to natural light can disrupt the growth of the eye, and thus encourage the development of myopia. This is why it is recommended to spend 2 hours a day outside. However it is still important to ensure they are protected from UV light by using sunglasses and sun hat, especially in very sunny conditions. Some myopia management spectacles such as Essilor® Stellest® are also available with a sun tint so your child can continue to wear them whist outside.

Hi @ButterOllocks If the child's myopia is still progressing then I believe that it is never too late! Some children's myopia will continue to progress into young adulthood while others may stabilise at around 18 years old. I would also look at why they are not tolerating their glasses- is it a comfort or frame issue? If so, it is worth revisiting this as there are many different frame options out there and if this would enable them to wear their glasses- whether myopia management or not- then it will certainly be worthwhile.

Thank you so much

Hi @BeaLola Many people use a mixture of optical corrections to suit their everyday needs, whether that be a variety of contact lens options or a mix of spectacles, e.g. varifocals for everyday use and separate readers for tasks such as sewing or embroidery. As different tasks require different visual requirements, having multiple pairs of spectacles can actually be quite useful!

Hi @CooksDryMeasure Your optometrist will be able to advise but usually we find that myopia progression stabilises into early adulthood, usually by the early 20s.

Hi @CinderellaFant If she is seeing well and is comfortable with her new, reduced prescription then I would not worry too much and stick to the optometrist's recommendation of 12 months. However, if before then she is having any vision issues or complaining of headaches and eyestrain, then I would revisit the optometrist and discuss being seen sooner.

Hi @LittleDeeAndME Myopia cannot be "cured," but in some cases, natural changes in the eye over time can reduce the degree of short-sightedness, which may make you less reliant on glasses. However, in cases where myopia is progressive, it is typically associated with the elongation of the eyeball. This causes light to focus in front of the retina, leading to blurry distance vision, and unfortunately, this is unlikely to improve with age. Regular monitoring by an eye care professional is essential, especially if myopia progression is suspected.

Hi @DenDenDenise Essilor® Stellest® lenses use H.A.L.T. technology which covers 40% of the lens surface meaning they are suitable for a wide range of frame choices. With any child's frame fitting, we recommend they are light, durable and hyper-allergenic and of course, should always be fitted properly. The frames should sit centrally on the face and make sure they do not slip so that the child is looking over the top of them instead of through them. Your optician can help with this.