From the Guidelines
To affordably control myopia progression, consider a combination of low-dose atropine eye drops (0.01% concentration), increased outdoor time (at least 2 hours daily), and proper visual hygiene. Atropine eye drops, available through compounding pharmacies for about $30-60 per month, have shown effectiveness in slowing myopia progression by 50-60% 1. For the drops, apply one drop in each eye nightly before bedtime. Outdoor exposure to natural light stimulates dopamine release in the retina, which inhibits eye elongation 1. When using digital devices, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Maintain proper reading distance (at least 30 cm) and ensure adequate lighting. Consider specialized eyewear like multifocal contact lenses or orthokeratology lenses if your budget allows, though these options cost more initially ($300-500 for fitting plus ongoing lens costs) 1. Regular eye exams every 6-12 months are essential to monitor progression and adjust treatment. These approaches work by reducing peripheral retinal defocus, decreasing accommodative stress on the eye, and modulating biochemical pathways that control eye growth, ultimately slowing the axial elongation of the eyeball that causes progressive myopia 1. Some key points to consider:
- Low-dose atropine is effective in slowing myopia progression with minimal side effects 1
- Increased outdoor time is associated with a reduced risk of myopia progression 1
- Proper visual hygiene, including following the 20-20-20 rule and maintaining proper reading distance, can help reduce eye strain and slow myopia progression
- Specialized eyewear, such as multifocal contact lenses or orthokeratology lenses, can be effective in slowing myopia progression, but may be more expensive 1
- Regular eye exams are essential to monitor progression and adjust treatment 1
From the Research
Cost-Effective Myopia Control Options
To break the cost barrier in myopia control, several options can be considered:
- Outdoor activity, which can reduce the onset of myopia and is a cost-effective option, yielding a savings of US $5/SER reduction and US $8/AL reduction 2
- Atropine eye drops, specifically 0.01% and 0.05% doses, which have been shown to be effective in slowing myopia progression and are cost-effective, with an ICER of US $220/SER reduction for 0.05% atropine 2
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), which can slow axial length elongation and is a cost-effective option, with an ICER of US $2376/AL reduction 2
- Red light therapy and highly aspherical lenslets (HALs), which may also be cost-effective, although more expensive, with ICERs of US $846/SER reduction and US $448/SER reduction, respectively 2
Comparison of Myopia Control Interventions
The efficacy of different myopia control interventions has been compared in several studies:
- Atropine has been shown to be effective in slowing myopia progression, with a dose-dependent efficacy, and is considered a cost-effective option 3, 4, 2
- Ortho-K has been shown to be comparable to atropine in controlling myopia progression, particularly in high myopia patients 5
- The combination of atropine and Ortho-K has been shown to have a synergistic effect and may be a cost-effective option 4
Factors Affecting Cost-Effectiveness
The cost-effectiveness of myopia control interventions can be affected by several factors, including:
- The cost of the intervention, including the cost of hospital visits, medications, and optical lenses 2
- The efficacy of the intervention in slowing myopia progression and reducing axial length elongation 6, 3, 4, 5
- The age of the patient and the severity of their myopia, with high myopia patients potentially benefiting more from certain interventions 5