18 Myopia Control Clinic Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the eye grows too long to be able to focus light on the retina. Children who have parents with myopia are more likely to become nearsighted, but there are other causes of myopia that aren’t fully understood. According to the National Eye Institute, myopia has increased to about 40-percent of the U.S. population. Even low levels of myopia may increase a patient’s risk of developing glaucoma, retinal detachment, or other vision-threatening diseases. Led by Dr. Kathryn Richdale, SUNY Optometry launched its Myopia Control Clinic this summer to provide evidence-based treatments to slow the progression of myopia in children. The clinic uses advanced equipment to measure the eye’s shape, size, and refractive error and provides the latest technologies and treatments for patients, including orthokeratology (rigid contact lenses worn overnight), multifocal contact lenses, and atropine, which have been demonstrated to slow myopia progression. FY 11–12 FY 12–13 FY 13–14 FY 14–15 FY 15–16 All Referral Visits 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 VISITS YEAR
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