This is Episode #25 and you’ll hear Host Dr. Meenal Agarwal and guest Dr. Kate Gifford uncover what causes myopia and how to manage pre-myopia in children. Watch the video episode on YouTube and listen to the audio episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re enjoying the show!
Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal Episode #25: Protecting How Our Kids See the World with Dr. Kate Gifford
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, can cause serious eye diseases and permanent vision loss. More than 50% of parents are unaware of the eye health complications related to myopia. It is estimated by the year 2050, at least 50% of the world will be myopic. Fortunately, we can do something about it. Our guest, Dr. Kate Gifford, is the Co-Founder of Myopia Profile - the world's leading educational platform for childhood myopia management. Hear what causes myopia, how to identify and treat pre-myopia and myopia, when myopia becomes a concern, and the most effective ways to manage myopia. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:
- What is Myopia?
- What’s the role of ortho K in children’s eye health?
- When to add combination therapy for patients?
- How soon should you start Myopia management?
- When do we need myopia control glasses vs atropine therapy?
- When to stop myopia management treatment?
- Will college students want to keep wearing ortho K?
- Does switching to contact lenses too soon risk increasing myopia?
Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal.
Show Notes
- Protecting How Our Kids See the World with Dr. Kate Gifford
- [00:19] What is myopia?
- [1:45] September is Myopia Action Month
- [3:08] What parents need to know about the connection between myopia and ocular health
- [4:05] What amount of myopia matters?
- [5:55] What’s the definition of pre-myopia?
- [7:50] Who would you start myopia control management on? When do children need to be treated?
- [10:07] When do we need myopia control glasses atropine therapy?
- [12:27] Atropine dosage and assuring compliance
- [13:08] Is there a rule of thumb for research this complex?
- [16:55] Are you choosing remedies based on efficacy and the patient’s needs?
- [18:21] Determining what best suits the child?
- [18:51] What is your rule of thumb of the amount of myopia that should be corrected?
- [19:52] Epi-control spectacles
- [20:48] The role of ortho K (orthoheratology) in children’s eye health
- [25:01] When to add combination therapy for patients?
- [28:46] Alternative technologies for myopia management
- [31:06] Fitting the patient’s lifestyle
- [34:30] Uncovering age and standards of care
- [36:28] When to stop myopia management treatment?
- [37:55] Will college students want to keep wearing ortho K?
- [39:16] Does switching to contact lenses risk myopia increase?
- [40:42] Changing the method of myopia control and combining treatments
- [43:08] Follow Kate Gifford
- [44:06] Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal
- Theme Song: “Upbeat Motivational Pop Rock” by Alexey Anisimov