Combination Myopia Therapies
Author: Jason Higginbotham
BSc (Hons) MCOptom Prof Cert Glau Prof Cert Med Ret Prof Cert LV FBDO MBCLA
Combination Therapies
There are many different myopia management therapies. However, various clinical papers and studies have suggested that in some cases at least, combining more than one form of myopia management therapy can be more effective, safer, more accessible or just more convenient for the child and the family.
For example, it may be as simple as having myopia management soft contact lenses providing most of the therapy on most days but having backup myopia management glasses to allow the eyes to rest. However, with some myopia therapies, like Atropine 0.01%, some have suggested combining this with other treatment options, like Ortho-K, for example. These studies have shown an improvement in the slowing of eyeball growth, but some argue that the value of Ortho-K masked the limited effect of Atropine 0.01%, for example.
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Covid-19 has meant more time indoors, less social interaction and more time staring at screens, whether it be a smartphone tv, laptop, or tablet, which is especially true for children. In many parts of the world, particularly in Southeast Asia, this produced a strong correlation with a marked increase in the rate, prevalence of myopia and amount of myopia and its progression in children.