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CONDITIONS

DISEASE & MANAGEMENT

Accommodative (Focusing) Dysfunctions

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Cataracts

Cornea Cross-Linking

Contact Lens & Eyeware

Convergence Excess (BV Disorder)

Convergence Insufficiency (BV Disorder)

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Developmental Disability

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes

Double Vision

Dry Eye

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Electrophysiology

Eyelid Bump / Swelling

Eye Pain or Eyelid Pain

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Flashes or Floaters in Vision

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Glaucoma

Glasses & Eyeware

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Keratoconus Management

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Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

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Loss of Vision

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Macular Degeneration

Myopia Management

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Occupational Therapy

Ocularmotor Dysfunction

Ocular Prosthetics

Optic Neuritis

 

Red Eye

Retinal Tear & Detachment

Refractive Error

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Strabismus & Amblyopia

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Traumatic Brain Injury

Trauma

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Vision Disorders

Vision Rehabilitation

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MYOPIA MANAGEMENT

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OVERVIEW

The Center for Myopia Control specializes in optometric care of children and young adults with myopia. In addition to providing conventional glasses to clear vision, our services include options for controlling the progression of myopia.

 

We use specialty equipment and techniques to comprehensively evaluate the refractive errors, ocular size and shape of our patients’ eyes. These measurements – along with myopia progression history – are used to determine an optimum management strategy which may include specialty contact lenses or eye drops, outlined below.

DESCRIPTION

Myopia has become increasingly prevalent. In the US, levels of myopia have reached 50%, while in Asia they are at epidemic levels. Both genetics as well as visual habits contribute to the progression of myopia. If both parents are myopic, then their child is more than 5x more likely to develop myopia themselves. Other factors such as minimal amounts of time spent outdoors, increased time devoted to near activities (smartphones, laptops, etc), as well circadian rhythm may play a role.

TYPES OF MYOPIA MANAGEMENT

  • Tear Osmolarity (Tear Lab)
    Hyperosmolarity has been described in the literature as a primary marker of tear film integrity. When the quantity or quality of secreted tears is compromised increased rates of evaporation lead to a more concentrated tear film (increased osmolarity) that places stress on the corneal epithelium and conjunctiva. Levels of osmolarity correlate with the severity of the disease.
  • Inflammadry
    The Inflammadry is an in-office test that detects elevated levels of inflammation or elevated levels of MMP-9. It has been demonstrated that ocular surface disease demonstrates elevated levels of MMP-9 in the tears. Inflammation is present before the clinical signs of dry eye. Increased MMP-9 may contribute to increased corneal disruption and corneal surface irregularity.
  • Tear Quantity & Volume
    Tear Meniscus Height (TMH): Measuring the TMH is helpful in diagnosing aqueous deficiencies as it is used to estimate tear volume. A TMH of less than 0.2mm is suggestive of dry eye. ​ Schirmer I Testing: Schirmer I testing measures aqueous secretion. A 5x35mm filter paper is used and the end of the paper is inserted into the outer 1/3 of the inferior conjunctival sac. The amount of strip wetting is measured after 5 minutes. Schirmer I is performed without anesthesia and measures both basal and reflex tear secretion.
  • Anterior Segment Evaluation
    Tear Break-Up Time: Tear Break-Up Time measure tear film stability and is helpful in the detection of lipid and mucin deficiencies. A moistened fluorescein strip is applied to the bulbar conjunctiva and the patient is asked to blink. The tear film is scanned using a biomicroscope with a cobalt filter and is evaluated for the first nonstaining area from the last blink. Normal TBUT readings are 15-45 seconds. ​ Ocular Surface Staining: Fluorescein dye is the most commonly used stain to evaluate the ocular surface. It is present any time the integrity of the epithelial surface is disrupted. Lissamine green dye stains devitalized cells and is helpful for evaluating the conjunctiva. The amount of ocular surface staining is graded using various methods.
  • Meibomian Gland Assessment and Expression
    The Meibomian glands can be evaluated by lid eversion and transillumination with light or with topographical instruments. At the Illinois Eye Institute, we have several instruments to help visualize the Meibomian glands (meibography). This allows us to analyze and quantify the amount of gland loss or atrophy and note areas of occlusion and dilation to manage the condition appropriately.
  • Adjunctive Tests
    Sjo Testing: Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS) is a chronic, systemic progressive autoimmune inflammatory disease. It is characterized by immune-mediated destruction of lacrimal and salivary glands and early hallmark symptoms include dry eyes and dry mouth. The classical serological markers for SS are anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SS-B antibodies. Other antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and rheumatoid factors (RF) are also included as the more common serological markers detected for SS. The Sjö test is an advanced diagnostic panel for the early detection of SS for patients with dry eye. It includes the 4 traditional and 3 new proprietary biomarkers- salivary protein 1, carbonic anhydrase 6, parotid secretory protein. Oculus Keratograph 5: The Keratogrph 5M is an instrument that is very beneficial in the management of dry eye patients. It has the ability to measure non-invasive tear film break up time (NIKBUT), tear meniscus height, evaluate the lipid layer, measure tear film dynamics, and take high resolution images of the Meibomian glands and of the bulbar conjunctiva.

WHY TRY TO CONTROL MYOPIA GROWTH?

Once a child develops myopia, the average rate of progression is 0.50 diopters per year. Myopia has been associated with sight-threatening conditions such as cataracts, primary open angle glaucoma, and retinal detachments. The higher the amount of myopia, the greater the risk of these conditions. Therefore, reducing a person’s myopia progression also reduces their risk of these conditions. Myopia generally stops progressing in your late teens or early twenties.

There are treatments available which have been shown in studies to reduce a patient’s long-term myopia progression. While there is evidence for the techniques (listed below) and their ability to slow myopia, there is currently no FDA approved technique specifically for the indication of myopia control. All the techniques have been approved by the FDA, but not specifically for the slowing of myopia – as such, these are “off-label” uses of approved techniques. 

TREATMENTS

SERVICE AREAS PROVIDING TREATMENT

Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence

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