THE MYOPIA CLINIC
|
MELBOURNE'S COMPREHENSIVE MYOPIA CONTROL & ORTHO K CLINIC
Our focus is to give every child, teenager and young adult with myopia in Melbourne the best opportunity to maintain good eyesight and eye health.
We treat the cause of myopia, not just the symptoms. 
We offer all the options to treat and manage your child's myopia. |
Welcome.
|
At the Melbourne Myopia Clinic we provide world-class, leading myopia care for children and teenagers with short-sightedness.
With new technologies and evidence-based treatments we can now slow or even stop your child's eyesight deterioration. This is called Myopia Control. Preventing your child's degree of myopia from increasing with effective treatment gives them the chance to enjoy a lifetime of better vision, the potential for better eye health, and avoiding thick and heavy glasses. Regular glasses only reduce the symptoms of myopia. There are now much better options. We offer a comprehensive range of myopia control treatments to reduce abnormal eye growth that causes myopia to develop and progress, including:
Our myopia treatment plans are customised to each patient's individual situation and needs. Every child is unique in their rate of progression and responsiveness to interventions. Close monitoring and a tailored approach by our highly experienced practitioner will help your child achieve the optimal outcome in slowing their myopia progression as much as possible. If your child is already wearing glasses, or has worsening eyesight each year, we can help. |
SLOWING SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS PROGRESSION. |
|
|
|
NEWS UPDATE
Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC)
It is exciting to announce that our optometrist Dr Philip Cheng has attained the prestigious Fellowship of the IAOMC through a rigorous examination process, becoming one of only a handful of OrthoK practitioners in Australia to have achieved this special status. The FIAOMC represents the highest level of skill, knowledge and expertise in orthokeratology and myopia control. A testament of our practitioner's ability and breadth of experience, this means patients of this clinic can expect to receive the very best care for their myopia management. 
From the Academy: "The FIAOMC is the Gold Standard for practitioners of Orthokeratology. IAOMC is the leading Academy of Orthokeratologists in the world, formed to support, promote and advance Orthokeratology by providing quality education and scientific information on the subject of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control to all its members. Fellowship status is determined by doctor experience and expertise and follows a rigorous case evaluation and testing procedure. Those Orthokeratologists who achieve Fellowship status are committed to adhering to the highest standards of care in this specialty."
Myopia Clinic Melbourne featured in the media
Myopia in Practice: Getting the Messaging Right
MiVision Magazine, Australia - December 2020 https://www.mivision.com.au/2020/12/myopia-in-practice-getting-the-messaging-right/ 
Defusing the Myopia Timebomb: What does the future hold?
Insight Magazine, Australia - April 2020 https://www.insightnews.com.au/defusing-the-myopia-time-bomb-what-will-the-future-hold/ 
Contact Lens Update, September 2020: A Dose of Myopia
Published by the Centre of Ocular Research & Education (CORE), University of Waterloo, Canada Feature Article: Is a dose dependent response common among a number of myopia control treatments? https://contactlensupdate.com/2020/09/25/is-a-dose-dependent-response-common-among-a-number-of-myopia-control-treatments/ Clinical Insight: How to choose myopia management interventions for the child in your chair https://contactlensupdate.com/2020/09/25/how-to-choose-myopia-management-interventions-for-the-child-in-your-chair/ 
Orthokeratology Society of Oceania Committee
Our clinic director has joined the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania (OSO) as a committee board member, in recognition of his experience and contribution to the area of orthokeratology and myopia control. Pictured here alongside esteemed board members from Australia and New Zealand. 
From upper left: Philip Cheng, Lee Pepper, Andrew Sangster, Kathleen Watt, Meagan Drinan, Alex Petty, Gavin Bonham, Celia Bloxsom
The OSO, as the AU/NZ Section of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control, is a non-profit organisation with a mission to advance research, professional development and networking in the orthokeratology field, providing education and training to optometrists at both beginner and expert levels, and promoting community awareness of the importance of myopia control for children with short-sightedness. The 17th International Myopia Conference — Japan
Our optometrist recently attended the International Myopia Conference, held this year in Tokyo, Japan. Four days of seminars and discussions on the latest in research and clinical treatments for myopia. Continually keeping up-to-date in this rapidly evolving area of research is essential for providing the best care for our patients and the best possible treatment outcomes. It was also a fantastic opportunity to meet up with the brightest minds in the industry and fellow myopia control colleagues from around the world. Eyecare Concepts | Melbourne Myopia Clinic on TV!
As part of Myopia Awareness Week 2019, an international campaign to help raise public awareness of the looming global problem of short-sightedness in children, our expert myopia control optometrist Dr Philip Cheng was invited to take part in a national news story for 10 News First, filmed right here in our Melbourne clinic. Thank you to Emma and Hana — two of our young patients wearing Ortho K lenses — and their mum Jenny for taking the time to participate in this important child health campaign. WATCH THE NEWS STORY BELOW
BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS
We can do more for kids with stretched eyeballs
http://medicalrepublic.com.au/can-kids-stretched-eyeballs/ By Felicity Nelson — The Medical Republic Newspaper 
'Myopia was once viewed as a mere optical inconvenience – a refractive error easily corrected with simple, minus-power spectacles. Not anymore.' Continue reading... |
MYOPIA = LONG EYEBALL |
WHAT IS MYOPIA?
|
Myopia. That's the medical term for what is commonly called short-sightedness or near-sightedness. It means blurred vision in the far distance. Children with myopia may have difficulty seeing the whiteboard at school, or recognising people far away. While most people think having short-sightedness just means wearing a pair of glasses, it's actually much more than that. Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long. Longer eyes are at significantly higher risks of developing eye disease and blindness in life, from conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration and cataracts. Myopia is an eye growth disorder that causes blurred vision. Regular glasses and contact lenses are only masking the symptoms of myopia, by reducing blur. With myopia control intervention we treat the underlying problem — excessive eye growth.
The average length of an adult eye is 23.5-24mm. Every millimetre of eye elongation with myopia increases the risks of eye disease and vision loss. Using specialist ocular biometry equipment — the Zeiss IOL Master — we measure your child's eye axial length (the length of the eyeball from front to back, from the cornea to the retina) at each visit, monitoring myopia progression and assessing treatment effectiveness with millimetric precision. Your child's eye length changes are carefully analysed to tailor the treatment strategy for best results.
Axial length is a more precise, reliable and objective measure of eye growth than just the prescription change, and the only true way to assess myopia progression for children wearing Ortho K lenses. As a leader in myopia care, we are one of just a few clinics in Australia to offer this advanced technology to our paediatric patients. For eyes with axial length > 26mm there is a 25% lifetime risk of uncorrectable visual impairment. This increases to 90% for eyes of axial length > 30mm. (Tideman, 2016) |
WE MEASURE EYE AXIAL LENGTH. |
|
WHY CHOOSE US?
Our optometrist is a leading expert in children's myopia management in Melbourne. Optometrist Dr Philip Cheng is one of Australia's best-known clinicians in the area of Myopia Control and Orthokeratology. Trained at the University of Melbourne and with over 17 years of clinical experience, Philip has full endorsements to prescribe therapeutic eye treatments and renowned expertise in the fitting of Ortho K lenses. He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC).
At this clinic you can expect the most up-the-date knowledge, latest diagnostic technologies and professional advice on the best ways to manage your child's short-sightedness and prevent the continual worsening of their vision. If you have any concerns about your child's vision or questions about advice given by another practitioner, we welcome you to seek a second opinion with us. Our optometrist can give you an expert opinion on your child's level of myopia, rate of progression and the treatment options best suited for their needs. Your child's eyes are too important to be left to chance. |
THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY. |
|
ALL THE GOOD REASONS TO SEE US.
The Myopia Clinic is Melbourne's comprehensive myopia control centre for children with short-sightedness. There are many reasons why parents from across Melbourne bring their children to see us for assessment and ongoing myopia care. Here are a few.
FAMILY HISTORY.
Children with myopic parents are up to 6 times more likely to develop myopia. Parents who have a high degree of short-sightedness themselves are often understandably concerned about their children's eyes and proactive about preventing them from developing the same eye problems. As a paediatric eye clinic, we can test young children and even infants.
WEARING GLASSES.
Children already wearing glasses for myopia are very likely to progress. The younger the child when first diagnosed with myopia, the higher the risk of vision deterioration into high myopia, as the eye undergoes growth and elongation over a longer period of time. Regular glasses can only correct vision but cannot slow the progression of myopia.
EYES GETTING WORSE RAPIDLY.
Many of the children visiting us for the first time already have rapidly progressive myopia, requiring new glasses every 6 to 12 months. The parents are rightfully worried about their kids' eyes worsening so quickly. With the effective myopia control treatments available at this clinic, we can help these children maintain more stable eyesight.
ACTIVE KIDS.
Glasses are inconvenient and cumbersome. Especially for active children and teens participating in sporting activities. Contact lenses can give children the confidence they need to play at their best. Kids who wear our Ortho K night-time lenses enjoy clear vision without glasses during the day.
SEEKING A SECOND OPINION.
Parents often bring their children to our clinic for a second opinion about their myopia. When it comes to children's eyes, it's always best to be sure that they are diagnosed and managed correctly.
REFERRED TO US.
We welcome and accept referrals from all optometrists and health care providers, including GPs and ophthalmologists. We regularly receive referrals from other optometrists in mainstream optical practices such as OPSM, Specsavers and BUPA Optical, as well as independent practices, for our expertise in myopia management and Ortho K lens fitting.
|
EXPERT MYOPIA CARE. |
|
YOUR CHILD DESERVES THE BEST.
MORE EXPERIENCE.
Our optometrist Dr Philip Cheng is internationally known for his passion and expertise in managing childhood myopia, both as a clinician and for his contribution to peer education and myopia awareness in the community. With hundreds of children and families under his care in our Melbourne Myopia Clinic, he has immense experience in prescribing treatments to most effectively treat the progression of myopia, no matter how complex your child's case may be.
MORE TECHNOLOGY.
Our clinic features the latest in eye care technologies to best diagnose and manage your child's myopia. This includes state-of-the-art optical biometry with the Zeiss IOL Master — an instrument used by eye specialists — to precisely measure eye length. Eye axial length is an essential assessment to properly monitor eye growth and myopia progression, particularly for children using Ortho K treatment. We are pleased to offer this advanced technology to all our patients, at no extra charge.
MORE TIME.
To ensure your child receives the best possible attention and care, we provide extended consultations to thoroughly assess each aspect of your child's vision and eye health. The initial comprehensive assessment will generally take 45 minutes to one hour. Our aim is for every parent visiting this clinic to gain greater knowledge and understanding of their child's myopia condition.
MORE OPTIONS.
We offer and prescribe all clinically-effective myopia treatment options available in Australia, unlike other general optometrists who may only have access to limited options. With our complete suite of treatments and products we can tailor your child's treatment plan to their individual differences and needs to slow the progression of myopia as much as possible.
MORE HIGHLY RATED.
Our optometrist has been chosen by Three Best Rated as one of Melbourne's Top 3 Best Optometrists for three consecutive years. This symbol of excellence means you can expect the highest standards of care at our clinic.
|
EXPERIENCE MATTERS. |
|
ORTHO K
Orthokeratology — Ortho K or OK lens — is overnight vision correction with special hard contact lenses worn at night-time during sleep. This advanced corneal shaping treatment to restore clear vision is safe, effective, reversible and non-invasive. We design and fit the latest generation of fully-customised Ortho K lenses for both children and adults. Our OK lenses, each individually designed, can correct even high levels of astigmatism and high myopia beyond the range typically correctable with standard OK lenses. Many adults wear Ortho K for the freedom of seeing clearly again, without the need to wear glasses or contacts during the day. For kids, Ortho K corrects their vision as well as significantly slowing their eyesight deterioration. 
Experience matters for successful fitting of complex Ortho K lenses and for best results. As an accredited member of the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania (OSO), the International Academy of Orthokeratology & Myopia Control (IAOMC), and the Cornea & Contact Lens Society of Australia (CCLSA), our optometrist is chosen and trusted by families across Melbourne for their children's Ortho K vision treatment. 
|
PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. |
|
BLOG | INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Our optometrist is a contributing writer for My Kids Vision, an international blog started by myopia expert Dr Kate Gifford for parents on children's vision and eye health issues. Philip is passionate about raising public awareness and helping more parents around the world understand and learn about myopia, so that more children can receive the care and help they need.
Knowledge is power. We give parents the information to make good decisions for their children's eyesight.
VIDEO
What every parent needs to know if their child is wearing glasses for short-sightedness.
© 2017-2021 The Myopia Clinic | Eyecare Concepts | Melbourne Australia
|
