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Like many kids, San Francisco 1st grader, Isaac likes watching TV. When he started squinting his parents didn’t think too much about it. After all, Isaac is a healthy kid who loves playing tennis and reading books. But it would be this one little squint that led the family to discover that Isaac is one of millions of kids suffering from an eye condition that is predicted to affect 50% of the world’s population by 2050.
It's a condition known as myopia, sometimes called ‘nearsightedness,’ and it is a chronic and progressive disease that poses the biggest eye health threat of the 21st century. “We noticed other kids not having this squinting issue. After he had trouble seeing a text on the screen in our car, we grew concerned and decided it was time to visit an optometrist,” said Isaac’s father, Jeffrey of San Francisco.
Isaac’s parents did the right thing and took him to see Dr. Selena Chan of Pacific Rims Optometry in San Francisco, who specializes in treating children with myopia. “I’ve personally witnessed and diagnosed more children with myopia in the last few years and most parents haven’t heard of this eye condition or its progression,” said Selena Chan, OD, of Pacific Rims Optometry in San Francisco, “In my experience, myopia is on the rise due to a decrease in outdoor time and an increase in near work - from digital device consumption and virtual school.”
In fact, children under 12 diagnosed with myopia are at a greater risk of developing high myopia, which may lead to sight-threatening diseases later in life, including the increased risk of retinal degeneration and detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma – all of which can lead to visual impairment and blindness.
But there is hope and early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Families can take charge of myopia with new FDA-approved treatment options. “It's essential to pay attention to common symptoms of myopia, such as squinting, headaches, and eye strain, and be proactive in your child's eye care. Make an appointment with an optometrist and learn more about the available treatment options such as FDA-approved orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lenses for managing myopia,” said Dr. Chan.
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Childhood Myopia is Rising Nationally and in the Bay Area
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Dr. Gloria Trujillo is a family physician in Asheville, North Carolina. She is also a patient who has been dealing with Long Covid (PAS-C). As part of her recovery, Dr. Trujillo knew she needed a reliable and accurate way to monitor her heart and oxygen saturations in real time, 24/7. She also wanted a way to be able to share this information with her own doctor.
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Isaac is not alone in his diagnosis of myopia, but he is one of the first to have his condition treated with a new FDA-approved orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lenses. It is called ACUVUE® Abiliti™ Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for Myopia Management. The lenses are specifically designed and fitted to match a patient’s eye based on its unique corneal shape to temporarily reshape the cornea while they sleep.
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Clinical trials — For patients who qualify, these are experimental treatments and medications, not yet widely available, being tested right here at Stephenson.
Proton Therapy
I’ve personally witnessed and diagnosed more children with myopia in the last few years and most parents haven’t heard of this eye condition or its progression. In my experience, myopia is on the rise due to a decrease in outdoor time and an increase in near work - from digital device consumption and virtual school.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
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are more likely to develop retinal degeneration and detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma
12
with myopia
CHILDREN
UNDER
SELENA CHAN, OD
PACIFIC RIMS OPTOMETRY
How is it working? Isaac no longer wears glasses and can participate in daily activities, including tennis, basketball, and reading his favorite books.
At only seven years old, Isaac can fully insert and remove his contact lenses in less than 10 minutes without any assistance from his parents. There is a learning curve but, after a few weeks of practicing and with Dr. Chan’s support, Isaac was quickly inserting his contact lenses on his own.
“As a parent, I appreciate Dr. Chan’s commitment to having children learn to insert and remove their contact lenses properly,” said Isaac’s dad, Jeffrey. “For the most part, Isaac is good about using his contacts each night and is mature and disciplined to sanitize and insert his contacts properly on a nightly basis."
Clinical studies demonstrate that Abiliti™ Overnight lenses are a safe and effective option to manage myopia. According to Dr. Chan, the new lenses are making a difference, and she is seeing Bay Area children who are also experiencing similar success.
What You Need to Know About Myopia
The number one thing parents can do to ensure their children's eye health is to get them a comprehensive eye exam each year with an optometrist.
Dr. Pearl Shih of Golden Vision Optometry of Cupertino– also specializes in treating kids with myopia, is seeing more and more children with myopia. "Environmental factors and genetics play a role in a certain percentage of myopia patients," said Dr. Pearl Shih. "Everyone should be concerned about the rising myopia rates. Limiting screen time and spending more time outdoors has been linked to decreased rates of myopia, but researchers are still working to find out what is causing this global spike in myopia rates.”
Some lifestyle changes can be helpful for your child’s vision, such as practicing the 20/20 rule. “My children frequently use their digital devices, but for every 20 minutes on an electronic device, my kids take a 20-second break and focus their eyes on something at least 20 feet away,” said Dr. Chan.
Everyone should be concerned about the rising myopia rates. Limiting screen time and spending more time outdoors has been linked to decreased rates of myopia.
DR. PEARL SHIH, CUPERTINO
Risk of Myopia in Asian American Communities
According to a Kaiser Permanente Southern California study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Asian Americans are diagnosed with myopia at significantly higher rates than other ethnicities. With San Francisco proudly being home to nearly 300,000 Asians and Pacific Islanders, generating awareness of myopia is essential. The prevalence among young adults is above 80% in many Asian regions.
“It’s critical for our community to be vigilant against myopia and be aware of the symptoms to prevent the progression of this eye condition,” said Dr. Shih. “With new FDA-approved treatment options now available, we can create a brighter future and take charge of myopia.” It’s important to discuss the available treatment options with your eye care provider and find the best solution for your child based on their activity level and lifestyle requirements.
of world's population
50%
by 2050
myopia
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1. Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, Jong M, Naidoo K, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 to 2050. Ophthalmol. 2016;123(5):1036-1042. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.01.006.
2 Holy C, Kulkarni K, Brennan NA. Predicting Costs and Disability from the Myopia Epidemic – A Worldwide Economic and Social Model. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci.2019;60(9):5466-5466.
3. Hu Y, Ding X, Guo X, Chen Y, Zhang J, He M. Association of Age at Myopia Onset with Risk of High Myopia in Adulthood in a 12-Year Follow-up of a Chinese Cohort. Jama Ophthalmol. 2020;138(11):1129-1134. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.3451.
4. JJV Data on File 2021. Menicon Design History File.
5. JJV Data on File 2021. Instructions for Use (FDA).
6. Luong TQ, Shu Y, Modjtahedi BS, Fong DS, Choudry N, et al. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Myopia Progression in a Large, Diverse Cohort of Pediatric Patients. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2020;61(13):20. doi: https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.61.13.20.
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are more likely to develop retinal degeneration and detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma
12
with myopia
CHILDREN
UNDER