I’m 30 and my myopia is constantly getting worse every year (roughly -0.5 change annually) currently at -8.25 . I wear glasses that are expensive due to the high power ($800 for 2 pairs) but looking at what options others have gone with for long term? For kids myopia control I can see daily contacts or eye drops and I can see online other options include Ortho K and ICL surgery.
Have others gone down these more expensive upfront cost options and been happy?
Lol. Not including high index lenses I bet.
Are you using invisible ink? I can't see your comment.
High index lenses are uncomfortably large and heavy. The (optional) cost of making them lighter and thinner makes them expensive.
Unfortunately it’s some of those bells and whistles I need. No doubt it would be cheaper so maybe worth it for second pair of sunnies or something
Just checked and website does give option for slimming and gives error when I entered prescription saying it high
I got my glasses from Specsaver and at that time they had lens options discount for my health fund (AHM, from memory). I went with their most basic frame and maxed out on lens options for a total of around $250.
Perhaps check if your optometrist offers similar discounts.
That’s good to know I have health fund but not for extras
Progressively Worse Myopia (Shortsightedness)
Can you please type
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damn you jv, you make me laugh.
Have you seen a doctor/specialist? That fast degrading of vision sounds almost like MMD rather than a general myopia (I'm not a doctor, just I know someone who had it)
Have you seen a doctor/specialist?
Only little ones…
Go see a specialist - I know young people with similar situations and deteriorating sight.
You only have one set of eyes, don't go cheap.
What sort of specialist covers this?
Presumably you are already in the care of an optometrist? Although maybe not as I would expect some advice would have been coming your way already?
Next step after optometrist is ophthalmologist.
An ophthalmologist
Oppamologist
I had a laser surgery done a while back and it was lifechanging for me. Same story, it was getting worse, till -5.25 (not quite -8, but still). The surgery was ~$3000 and was done in Sydney, I think the prices are roughly the same. There have been no issues or changes since. Surgery was around 2008 from memory.
Unfortunately LASIK is not suitable for everyone. But I've heard a lot of good things from people who have done it.
Yes this, my myopia is similar to OP and the specialist recommended ICL rather than LASIK because at the higher end there is just too much reshaping that would need to be done with LASIK. But I have definitely heard great things from anyone I know who has had it done.
I’m guessing your eyes stopped changing before you had surgery though?
They didn't really, they were slowly getting worse. The consultation with those places to determine suitability is usually free (but do enquire).
I was under the impression that you can only get the surgery done once, so if your eyes start deteriorating later on in life there's nothing you can do.
@Mechz: I think, at least with me, it was a catch 22 situation. The vision was getting worse, but very slowly, maybe -0.25 each year. After lasik it is rock solid.
The other things I was noticing before the surgery is the eyes were always tired at the end of the day and maybe that was a contributing factor.
Most eye clinic offer free suitability consultations and as far as I could tell they are fairly honest and knowledgable.
My myopia is just as bad. Chances are your myopia will stop progressing soon, so you won't need new lens every year. Talk to an optometrist/ophthalmologist though.
I mean, mine isn't as bad (-2.5), but it was moving all the way to my thirties. I'm 50 no - I don't think it's changed much in the last 15 years.
Best to see a specialist, get a referral after the tests at your standard optometrist.
There are lots of corrective options these days and most cases can be catered for but generally there's a need for stabilisation beforehand.
Also, there are lifestyle factors outside of genetics that would come into play. Also a chance that your optom. is missing something or your prescription isn't accurate, so worth getting a second opinion test.
Myovision lenses slowed my myopia progression considerably. Can recommend. What you are doing doesn’t seem to be working. Get a second opinion.
When you book an appointment with the ophthalmologist make sure to get your optom to refer you to one who sees people with myopia and mention it when booking on the phone. Progression every year when you're past 25 is worrying for myopia as it should stop when you stop growing.
You definitely need to consult with an ophthalmologist. An ultimate solution for worsening myopia is lens implants, but usually this procedure is for persons of an older age. My myopia was increasing exponentially before having lens implants + cataract surgery at age 57.
I had ICL on both eyes, about a decade ago — outlay was about $9,000 after medicare rebates, without private cover.
Now I am back to glasses / contacts, though I won't bump into a wall, I need them for driving, reading, etc.
I doubt I'd go through the expense a second time.
Lasik is about 10th of the cost, and less invasive, but only suited to lower script corrections <5 diopters, AFAIK.
In retrospect, I wish I had tried natural treatments first, though I can't do it now, for example https://www.myopiaismental.com/basic-journey-guide/
In the near future there should be stem cell treatments that can help the body correct the eye without surgery, but I'm not sure how soon that may be.
Just bear in mind that some treatments are a one-way street, so there may be no returning.
I assume you've been getting your glasses from your optometrist?
Just chucked your prescription into a basic pair of frames on Zenni Optical and it came to $70 USD without any particular bells and whistles.