A guide to myopia management
Ian Donald Optometrist has been delivering the highest standard of clinical optometry for over 50 years. We have the expertise and technology to provide a full range of services, including eyeglasses, blue lens technology and emergency services.
And as experts in eye health, we can diagnose and recommend both traditional and cutting-edge treatments for a wide range of issues.
Myopia (also called short-sightedness or near-sightedness), for instance, is a very common condition with several new treatment options. Like many other eye issues, catching myopia early will give you the best chance of managing it.
Understanding myopia
Myopia is a type of refractive error, a common eye disorder that occurs when the eye cannot focus correctly. As a result, people with myopia may be able to see close objects clearly but find that distant objects appear blurred or distorted. Additional symptoms can include squinting, headaches and eye pain.
Myopia usually develops in childhood, but it can also affect adults, and the chance of it developing increases when you have family members with a refractive error. Sometimes environmental factors may also play a role.
With myopia, the eye is elongated and the cornea is not a standard shape. When light enters the eye, it bends in such a way that distant objects look blurred.
Recognising and diagnosing myopia
As mentioned, while myopia symptoms can emerge later in life, they tend to first appear in childhood and stabilise by early adulthood.
Our optometrists can easily diagnose myopia with an eye test, so if you find your child is often squinting, suffers regular headaches or complains that distant objects seem blurred, then we recommend coming in as soon as possible.
As myopia is hereditary, it’s also a good idea to talk to us if you have family members with myopia, glaucoma or other refractive issues that include:
- hyperopia – difficultly focusing on objects that are close while distant objects are clear
- astigmatism – a curving of the eye’s front surface or lens that results in blurring, headache and fatigue
- presbyopia – age-related farsightedness (very common in anyone over 40).
Myopia can range in severity, so a regular eye examination will help us recognise it early and begin myopia management.
“Modern myopia management gives children the freedom to see clearly today while protecting their long-term eye health for the future.”
Myopia management
The most common myopia treatment options include glasses, contact lenses or in some cases, surgery such as LASIK. Ongoing extensive research into myopia and advances in technology are also helping us find exciting new options for myopia management.
Ortho-K (short for Orthokeratology) are advanced contact lenses that reduce your child’s dependence on glasses over the long term and may correct or slow myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia and presbyopia (blurred near vision).
It’s a revolutionary alternative to surgery, and now one of the most common methods of vision correction for our teen and pre-teen clients.
Another ground-breaking new treatment is MiSight 1 Day, the world’s first daily disposable soft lens developed specifically for myopia control, and the first lens technology designed to slow myopia progression in children and teenagers.
Being proactive about eye health
A number of scientific studies conducted among schoolchildren over several years suggest the prevalence of myopia is on the rise. However, with treatment, many children can achieve can achieve stability and we can reduce the chance of progression significantly.
For adults, myopia may also be associated with higher eye disease risks such as diabetes or cataracts, so again, early diagnosis is vital.
Regular comprehensive eye exams for children, adults and seniors are key to the early detection and treatment of conditions such as myopia. If you suspect you or your child may have myopia or any other eye health issue, please contact us for an appointment.
Meet the Author
Ian Donald
Optometrist
Ian Donald had a vision.
He was going to become a dentist. It seemed like a good plan, until his careers adviser gave him a brochure on optometry. It opened up a whole new world. The eye intrigued him. It fascinated him. Optometry captivated him. And so his whole focus changed.
Ian went on to do work experience in the very office he owns today. While studying Optometry at the prestigious UNSW, he spent hours working in that same office, doing all the things no one else wanted to do. Filing. Filing. Filing.
Learning, learning, learning. It’s part of who he is.
Even today he is constantly training and retraining, studying and staying up to date with the latest technology in eye health.
So what else energises Ian?
‘Riding my bike, being part of the community, and helping people see. It gives me the best feeling possible. We take it for granted, because we do it all day, every day. It’s such a gift to be able to give people peace of mind.’ Read More
FAQs
What does myopia management involve for families in Manly and Collaroy?
Myopia management may include glasses, specialised contact lenses such as Ortho-K worn overnight, or MiSight daily disposables designed to both correct vision and slow myopia progression.
How does Ortho-K work for teens and children in Balgowlah and Freshwater?
Ortho-K treatment involves wearing rigid contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea, allowing clear vision during the day without glasses while also slowing myopia progression.
Why is Ortho-K a good choice for active kids in Dee Why and Brookvale?
For sporty children or those who spend lots of time outdoors, Ortho-K lenses provide freedom from glasses or daytime contacts, while also supporting long-term eye health
Are there alternatives to Ortho-K for myopia management in Collaroy?
Yes, MiSight daily contact lenses offer a convenient, child-friendly solution that corrects vision and reduces the rate of myopia progression.
When should Northern Beaches parents book a myopia management consultation?
If your child is showing signs of short-sightedness—such as squinting, sitting too close to screens, or difficulty seeing at school—it’s time to arrange a myopia assessment.
Why is early intervention so important for children in Manly and surrounding suburbs?
Early myopia management helps slow progression, reducing the risks of eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment later in life.
How experienced is your team in managing myopia for Northern Beaches families?
With decades of clinical experience, our team at Ian Donald Optometry provides personalised care using the latest technology and proven treatments such as Ortho-K and MiSight lenses.
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Shop 2, 37-39 The Corso,
Manly NSW 2095
Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday - 8.30am to 4.00pm
Ian Donald Optometrist is a private billing practice. Please contact reception for our consultation fee schedule. Medicare and private health insurance rebates apply.
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