It's Good To See You | Eye Health, Vision Care & More

Show Notes: Episode Title

“The Ultimate Guide to Myopia Management for Kids: Atropine, Misight, Ortho-K & Stellest Glasses Explained”

Episode Summary:

In this episode of It’s Good to See You, Dr. Rupa Wong dives deep into the world of myopia management for kids. With the rising prevalence of myopia, or nearsightedness, it’s more important than ever for parents to understand how they can help slow down its progression in their children. Dr. Wong explains the science behind myopia, including Dr. Earl Smith’s theory of hyperopic defocus, and why addressing this early can protect your child’s vision for the long term. She also explores four effective myopia management treatments — low-dose atropine, MiSight contact lenses, orthokeratology (Ortho-K), and special spectacle lenses like Stellest and Miyosmart glasses. If your child struggles to see clearly or you’ve noticed them squinting at the board, this episode will provide valuable insights and actionable advice.

Key Takeaways:

1. What is Myopia?

• Myopia, or nearsightedness, is when the eye can see objects up close but has trouble seeing objects at a distance.

• It’s becoming more prevalent worldwide, with projections that half the global population could be myopic by 2050

2. Why Myopia Management Matters:

• Dr. Earl Smith’s theory of hyperopic defocus explains how peripheral blur signals the eye to grow longer, leading to worsening myopia.

• Managing myopia early on can prevent severe complications later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic macular degeneration.

3. Treatment Options Explained:

• Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops: Reduces the rate of myopia progression with minimal side effects. Studies show it can slow progression by up to 50%.

• MiSight Contact Lenses: The first FDA-approved contacts for myopia control, with concentric rings that slow down eye growth. Effective, easy to use, and safe for children as young as 6.

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Overnight rigid lenses that reshape the cornea, allowing clear vision during the day. Studies show it reduces eye elongation by about 45-50%.

• Stellest & Miyosmart Glasses: Special lenses designed to slow myopia progression using a myopic defocus effect. Great option for younger children or those who aren’t ready for contacts

4. Choosing the Right Option for Your Child:

• The best treatment depends on several factors, including your child’s age, lifestyle, and how quickly their myopia is progressing.

• Dr. Wong encourages parents to seek an eye exam early to discuss the most suitable options for their child.

Quotes from the Episode:

• “High myopia isn’t just about thicker glasses; it’s about protecting your child’s eye health for the future.”

• “Understanding hyperopic defocus helps us know why regular glasses alone aren’t enough to slow myopia progression.”

• “The sooner we start myopia management, the more effective these treatments can be.”

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with another parent who might be concerned about their child’s vision. Make sure to subscribe to It’s Good to See You for more insights on eye health, vision care, and more. Follow Dr. Rupa Wong on Instagram at @drrupawong for tips and articles on myopia management, or visit her website to learn more.

Resources & References:

• Chia, A., Lu, Q. S., Tan, D. (2016). Atropine for the Treatment of Childhood Myopia: Safety and Efficacy of 0.5%, 0.1%, and 0.01% Doses (Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia 2). Ophthalmology.

• Chamberlain, P., Peixoto-de-Matos, S. C., Logan, N. S., Ngo, C., Jones, D., Young, G. (2019). A 3-year Randomized Clinical Trial of MiSight Lenses for Myopia Control. Journal of AAPOS.

• Cho, P., Cheung, S. W., Edwards, M. (2015). The Long-term Effect of Overnight Orthokeratology on Myopia Progression: A 5-Year Study. Ophthalmology.

• Lam, C. S. Y., Tang, W. C., Tse, D. Y., Lee, R. P., Chun, R. K., Hasegawa, K., Qi, H., Hatanaka, T., To, C. H. (2020). Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) Spectacle Lenses Slow Myopia Progression. Journal of AAPOS.

• Ohno-Matsui, K., et al. (2016). International Classification of Myopic Maculopathy. Ophthalmology.

Follow & Subscribe:

• Instagram: @drrupawong

• Website: drrupawong.com

• Podcast: It’s Good to See You

Another 12 months, and with that, more lessons learned.

1. Embrace imperfection
2. Daily visualization is key to achieving goals
3. Build strong relationships
4. Rewrite my narrative
5. Prioritizing health
6. Giving back
7. Resilience can be reset
8. Embracing technology
9. Recognizing my own limits
10. Future planning

Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes!

Does guilt about being a professional working mom seem to overwhelm you at times? Join host, Dr. Rupa Wong, physician and mom of 3 kids as she talks about 4 scenarios that trigger mom guilt for us as working parents and what we can do to combat them. She draws from her own personal experience and lists actionable strategies to change your mindset the next time that guilty feeling rears its ugly head.

Let's Connect:

Have an idea for topic? Email us at [email protected]

Instagram: @drrupawong

Youtube (Eye Health, Kids Eyes and Doctor Mom Vlogs): @drrupawong

Many of us pride ourselves in our ability to multi-task. It's like our super power. Host, Dr. Rupa Wong, discusses how letting go of her multi-tasking nature at the office and home, has improved her effectiveness and efficiency. Instead, she employs serial tasking and she reviews 4 tips for making that switch to boost your productivity.

Want to figure out your time management archetype? Take this 2 minutes quiz! www.drrupawong.com/quiz

Thoughts on future topics for episodes? Email us at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/drrupawong

And for doctor mom vlogs on Youtube: www.youtube.com/drrupawong

In this episode, Dr. Rupa Wong breaks down the best foods for your eye health, exploring beyond the common myth that carrots are the ultimate eye superfood. While carrots have their benefits, Dr. Wong uncovers the powerhouse nutrients that truly protect your vision and prevent age-related eye conditions like macular degeneration, cataracts, and dry eye. Backed by evidence from peer-reviewed studies, she covers five key nutrients—lutein, zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc—and discusses how these nutrients work to protect your eyes, along with the best natural food sources to incorporate into your diet.

Get ready to discover how what you eat can have a big impact on your vision health!

Key Topics Covered:

1. Debunking the Carrot Myth
   • The origin of the idea that carrots improve eyesight (WWII pilots and British propaganda).
   • The truth about carrots and their beta-carotene content for eye health.
2. Lutein and Zeaxanthin – Protecting the Macula
   • Role of these antioxidants in reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
   • Food sources: green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale), broccoli, eggs.
   • Research highlights: AREDS2 study, British Journal of Nutrition meta-analysis.
3. Vitamin C – The Eye’s Defense Mechanism
   • How Vitamin C protects against cataracts and supports the health of your cornea and retina.
   • Food sources: citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits), bell peppers, broccoli.
   • Research highlights: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition long-term study on cataract prevention, AREDS study for AMD.
4. Vitamin E – The Cell Protector
   • Role of Vitamin E in preventing oxidative damage in the retina and lens.
   • Food sources: almonds, sunflower seeds, avocados, spinach.
   • Research highlights: Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Essential for Tear Film and Retina Health
   • The impact of DHA and EPA on dry eye disease and retinal health.
   • Food sources: cold-water fish (salmon, tuna, sardines), flaxseeds, walnuts.
   • Research highlights: Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) Study, Cornea study on tear film.
6. Zinc – The Light Protector
   • Zinc’s role in protecting your retina from light damage and supporting night vision.
   • Food sources: oysters, lean red meat, legumes, pumpkin seeds.
   • Research highlights: AREDS study on zinc’s role in AMD prevention, Progress in Retinal and Eye Researchon zinc’s role in photoreceptor health.

Key Takeaways:

• While carrots are beneficial, they are not the most powerful food for eye health.
• Nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, omega-3s, and zinc are critical for protecting your eyes from conditions like AMD, cataracts, and dry eye.
• A balanced diet that includes leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, seeds, and cold-water fish can provide the nutrients your eyes need to stay healthy.
• Backed by research, incorporating these nutrients into your diet can help prevent age-related vision problems.
• Instagram: @drrupawong
• Website: drrupawong.com
• Podcast: It's Good to See You: Eye Health, Vision Care & More

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Resources & Research Cited:

Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), Archives of Ophthalmology (2001).

Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2), JAMA (2013).

Christen, W. G., et al., “Dietary Antioxidants and Cataract Risk in Women: A 10-year Study,” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2016).

Christen, W. G., et al., “Zinc and Age-Related Cataract Risk in Women,” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition(2016).

Evans, J. R., “Antioxidant vitamin supplementation for preventing and slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration,” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2017).

Johnson, E. J., et al., “Egg yolk as a highly bioavailable source of lutein and zeaxanthin,” The Journal of Nutrition(2004).

Ma, L. et al., “Higher intake of Lutein and Zeaxanthin associated with lower risk of AMD: Meta-analysis,” British Journal of Nutritio...