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slow the progression of your child's nearsightedness

THE MYOPIA MANAGEMENT CENTER
Myopia Management in Oak Brook, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, and Surrounding Areas

Myopia is the technical term for nearsightedness. Amongst children, Progressive Myopia is a wide spread problem. This occurs when a child or teen’s prescription continually worsens.

Progressive Myopia in children and young adults drastically increases the risk of developing serious vision problems later in life!

Progressive myopia is a global health concern, which continues to get worse. Upwards of 5 billion people are expected to have myopia by the year 2050. Optometrists and healthcare professionals have begun to be increasingly concerned about the long-term risks posed by progressive myopia in childhood to vision later on in life. Progressive myopia significantly increases the long-term risks for serious eye conditions such as Cataracts, Macular Degeneration, and Glaucoma. The more aggressive the progression of myopia, the more significant are the risk factors.

However, there are means available which slow down the progression and can even halt it altogether. This has been demonstrated to significantly reduce these long-term risks to your child’s vision.


First you should know a bit

Myopia

THE MYOPIA EPIDEMIC


By 2050, Myopia is expected to affect at least 5 billion people worldwide. In some areas of Asia, the rates are already upwards of 80-90% by the time people reach University. The exact cause for this massive increase in myopia is a matter of some debate, with a lot of research suggesting that decreased time out of doors and drastically increased used of digital devices being contributing factors. Whatever the exact cause, the conclusion is stark: Myopia and the longterm risks associated with its childhood progression poses a serious public health challenge. Recently, the World Health Organization, amongst other international health bodies and and NGOs, have added myopia to the agenda of serious concerns.

THE RISKS OF MYOPIA


Medium and high myopia in childhood pose greatest risk factors, and underscore the importance of intervention during childhood. Progressive Myopia deteriorates as the child ages, so effective treatment received during childhood is the only way to significantly decrease these associated risks. The longterm vision health risks posed by Myopia include some of the most debilitating eye diseases included Myopic Maculopathy, Retinal Detachment, Glaucoma, and Cataracts.Generally, the higher prescription required and the rate and the faster it deteriorates, the greater are the risks of developing a serious vision impairment or condition in adulthood.

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT


The good news is that research has advanced significantly over the past ten years or so. There are now highly effective means to slow down and even halt the progression of myopia without resorting requiring any kind of surgical intervention. An optometrist specializing in myopia will be up to date on the latest methods in Myopia Management and can decrease the progression by an average of 50% or more. This significantly mitigates the longterm risk to the child of developing serious eye conditions later on in life. The use of Orthokeratology, Atropine, and Multifocal Contact Lenses, have been extensively researched and are demonstrably effective at controlling myopia, even at very young ages.

Let's Talk About

Controlling Myopia In Children

ORTHOK (Orthokeratology)


OrthoK , also referred to as ortho-k, orthokeratology, gentle vision shaping, and corneal shaping is one of the most universally effective methods for controlling myopia. It works by having the child sleep with a rigid lens at night, which gently reshapes the cornea to a shape conducive to normal visual acuity. The child (or adult for that matter) can usually be free from corrective lenses during the day.

ATROPINE EYE DROPS


Atropine drops are a pharmaceutical solution that was originally intended simply for stimulating pupil dilation for various kinds of eye examinations. Surprisingly, it was found that extremely low doses actually slow down the progression of myopia by about 50%, without any dramatic side effects. Even more suprisingly, new research suggests that Atropine may be effective at preventing Myopia in pre-myopic children altogether.

MULTIFOCAL CONTACT LENSES


Soft, multifocal contact lenses can be used during the day to subtly change the medium and distance visual power in order to change the overall focus of the eyes. By having clear retinal focus for one part of vision, while defocusing other peripheral zones, our visual system is subtly altered in a way that slows down the progression of myopia. A recent clinical study in 2016 demonstrated a 70% reduction in myopia progression.

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dr. franceschini Myopia Control in Oak Brook, IL

Meet Our Myopia Management

Eye Doctor

Dr. Joseph “Joe” Franceschini is the Myopia Management Eye Doctor at Oakbrook Optical Eyecare. He is proud to provide the highest quality pediatric eye care for patients in Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Elmhurst, and surrounding areas.

Dr. Joseph Franceschini received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola University in 1987. He completed an externship at Westside Veterans Administration Hospital – Eye Clinic in 1990 and graduated Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois School of Optometry / Illinois Eye Institute in 1991.

Dr. Franceschini is a member of the Illinois Optometric Association, President-Elect West Suburban Society; American Collegiate Society of the Association (Director 1990), Contact Lens Society, IANU David Award, 2001; Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness; Founding Member, and Chairperson of the Charitable Services Committee of United Care Providers, LLC; and Member of The Laser Network, LLC.

  • FDA-approved CooperVision’s MiSight 1 Day Contact Lenses are daily wear, single-use contacts that have been shown to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children aged 8 to 12 years old at the start of treatment.
  • Leading myopia eye doctor in Oak Brook, IL. Learn more about progressive myopia in children.
  • In addition to treating presbyopia for many people over 40, soft multifocal contact lenses are currently enjoying new popularity as an effective means of myopia management for children.
  • Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is one of the most common refractive errors. It affects your ability to see things at a distance, while objects or images that are closer to you remain clear.