What are multifocal or myopia control glasses?
- Specially designed bifocal, multifocal, or myopia control lenses use optics to help slow myopia progression.
- In multifocal glasses, the top portion of the lens allows the wearer to see at distance, while the lower portion of the lens allows the wearer to see at near.
- In myopia control glasses, there is built-in technology of the lens to focus light in different areas of the retina (center versus periphery).
How does it slow down myopia?
- Decreased ability to focus at near, otherwise known as a lag of accommodation, has been shown to play a role in myopia progression.
- By providing a built-in near prescription, multifocal glasses supplement the amount of accommodation needed and reduces near blur/strain when performing near tasks such as reading or using the computer.
- Similar to orthokeratology and multifocal contacts, the prescription in a multifocal lens also produces myopic defocus, which inhibits ocular elongation.
Advantages
- Children do not have to handle contact lenses or use eye drops.
- Lined bifocals provide direct feedback to the child so they know if they’re using the correct portion of the lens to look up close or far away.
- Especially helpful for children with esophoria (inward ocular alignment) who may already have reduced accommodative ability
Disadvantages
- Child could lose or break the glasses.
- Social stigma around wearing bifocals as a child.