Notice of Myopia Management Changes for 2022

Notice of Myopia Management Changes for 2022 Dear Patient: Myopia, or nearsightedness, is an eye focusing disorder that makes close objects look clear but distant objects appear blurred. Myopia usually starts between ages 6 and 14 and gets worse until your early twenties. While glasses or contact lenses help you see more clearly, they do not slow down the progression of myopia. Fortunately, specialized treatments (such as Ortho-K contact lenses worn overnight, multifocal soft contact lenses worn during the day, and atropine eye drops) are very effective at slowing down the progression of myopia as a child or teenager’s eye grows. It is in your child’s best interest to lessen myopia progression due to potential vision impairment consequences for myopic individuals, such as myopic macular degeneration, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataract later in life. The higher the degree of myopia, the greater the risk for these vision-threatening diseases later in your child’s life. Dr.Heidi Schauffele has been practicing for 20 years and has practiced specialized myopia management for 15 years. Heidi Schauffele, OD, Inc. uses the most up-to-date computerized imaging and techniques to best serve our myopia patients. Myopia management involves precise digital measuring and evaluation of the eyes, including refraction, axial length, and corneal topography, which must be repeated every 3 to 6 months. Fitting, evaluation, and adjustment of specially-designed lenses, as well as follow-up visits, instruction, and behavioral coaching are all included in the yearly fee for myopia management. If your child or teenager is a current patient who Dr. Schauffele has previously treated for myopia with Ortho-K, MiSight, NaturalVue, and/or atropine, beginning in January 2022, the cost for myopia management will no longer be a per visit charge, but will be a once-a-year fee. Please feel free to call the office at (239) 437-2004 if you have any questions or need more information. Thank you. Fort Myers Eye Associates