Myopia Control Disposable Contact Lenses for Faye

Faye was seven years old when she was first diagnosed with myopia in 2021. We had her on standard optical lenses like how every child would have their eyesight corrected. Research were done but I guess we really found out a lot more as we journey this though with our children as they grow. 

Six months later, her degree jumped from 200 degrees to almost 400 degrees. That caught us by surprise because we were certain the spectacle-wearing was going to help and we kicked certain bad habits in her daily life to slow down deterioration. Unfortunately, that did not work and we saw an eye doctor for it. 

Although Orthokeratology [Ortho-K] technology has a very high efficacy rate of 80% to 90%, Faye was not ready to have any foreign objects in her eyes. She did go for a trial and was visibly fearful when the contact lens was nearing her eye. As her mother, I decided we dropped the idea of Ortho-K, an overnight myopia control lens, and chose myopia control eye drops instead. I do not agree in forcing or cajoling my child into a treatment she was not ready for.

One year later, September this year, she told me she would like to give Ortho-K a shot. Faye thinks she is ready for it and that is when we had a comprehensive eye assessment at W Optics to see if she is suitable for Ortho-K. While it has many benefits, it is not a program that fits every one. 

Faye was found to be unsuitable for Ortho-K during the assessment because the eye drops she had been using regularly, dilates her eyes in the day which may affect the efficiency of Ortho-K lenses. It is also not recommended for her to discontinue her eye drops since it had been working fine for her. 

We were then given a recommendation by the optometrist from W Optics on what we can do to ensure her degree stays at 400 degrees and not more in years to come. 

A child-friendly Myopia Control Disposable Contact Lens for day wearing. It is a single use contact lenses designed specifically for children to wear safely during the day. I have never heard of it before until a fellow mom mentioned it to me that such a product existed and her son is using that instead of Ortho-K. It works just like a Spectacle Myopia Smart Lens, the one Ewan is currently wearing, only in the form of contact lens. So when the optometrist recommended fitting Faye with Menicon Bloom Day, we stayed on to listen more. 

The reason why Menicon Bloom Day was suggested was because of the additional UV protection provided on the contact lens. Menicon Bloom Day, carried by W Optics, have 6 years of clinical research published respectively. However, as Faye is on myopia control eye drops, one of the side effects is that her pupils will be more dilated in the day. With dilated pupils, UV protection is all the more necessary as this can help to prevent excessive amounts of UV light from entering her eyes, thereby reducing any chance of cumulative UV damage. 

It is a good option for children who do not tolerate glasses well or have an active lifestyle to be glasses-free throughout the day while having myopia control present. In my opinion, Ewan who is big on sports would benefit a lot more from this but according to him, he is not ready. 

A quick check with Faye and she said she would like to give this a shot. She has been wearing Menicon Bloom Day for a month now and I would like to take the chance to share how it had been. It is no use to say it is a great option without first trying it out for ourselves. 

Faye felt like as though there is a small glow or blur around things that she sees with the myopia control contact lenses. This remains true also for myopia control spectacle smart lens. I know because Ewan shared the same uncomfortable feeling the first few days he wore his spectacles. This is actually the design of these smart lenses [contacts or spectacles] and the feeling will fade in a few wears. There is a small adaptation period to the lenses but the glowing sensation should fade in time. 

Faye also shared how watching movies in the cinema seem less clear with her contact lens opposed to her spectacles. At the movies, her pupils enlarge due to low light levels. When her pupils are bigger, more treatment area towards the sides, that she is not used to yet, is now within her viewing zone, hence the blurriness. The treatment is still helping to control her prescription even though it is not as clear as her spectacles. Since Faye is on a combination of myopia control methods, I had been told by the optometrist that it is perfectly fine as well should she chooses to wear her spectacles instead. Heads up should your child be experiencing the same and you would like an answer for this!

Wear Schedule: Faye was advised to wear her contact lenses six days a week, at least 10 hours each time. On days that she is NOT wearing contact lenses, she can use her usual spectacles. Should she like to wear 7 days of contact lenses, the wearing hours per day should be adjusted to 8 hours per day. Because she is already on myopia control eye drops, there was no further recommendation to include the use of myopia control spectacles as well.

A combination therapy of 2 type of myopia control have shown promising results in slowing down myopia. Just like Ortho-K, not every child is suitable for the exact same program suggested to Faye. An eye examination is required to fit contact lenses for our children and to see which option best suites their lifestyle. 

Things to do before putting on contact lens

- Wash hand thoroughly with soap and DRY HANDS thoroughly. 

- Make sure your nails are short and clean. 

 - Check expiry date of contact lenses. 

- Check that lens edge is not broken and lens is the right side up (taco shape). 

Contact Lens care Regimen

- Do not wear lenses to sleep, swim and shower/bath. 

- Strictly NO sleeping and bathing with contact lenses on. 

- Use lubricating eyedrops/ artificial tears/ ocular lubricants that indicates it is safe with contact lens use. 

 - Do not rinse or wash lenses with tap water. 

 - If needed, use saline or multi purpose contact lens solution. 

 - Never reuse daily contact lenses. Throw away after each use. 

 - Recommended maximum wearing time: 10hrs/day, 6 times/week 

 - Do not wear lenses if do not see good, look good or feel good. 

- See Good: In your perspective, do you see clear? 

- Look Good: In others' perspective, does your eyes look red? 

- Feel Good: Does your eyes feels itchy, pain or extreme dryness? 

- Do not wear lenses if not feeling well (e.g. flu, cough, fever, vomit or diarrhoea). 

Make your appointment easily for you and your children via W Optics app! Download on Apple and Android devices.

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