Myopia Control

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly. It results from the eye growing too long or having too much curvature in the cornea or lens, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. As a result, individuals with myopia will need nearsightedness control methods such as glasses or contact lenses in order to see faraway objects clearly.

The growing myopia epidemic

The prevalence of myopia is rising globally at an alarming rate. Recent studies show that myopia affects approximately 30% of the US population, with predictions suggesting that by 2050, nearly 50% of people worldwide will be myopic. Children are also developing myopia at younger ages than ever before. Factors contributing to this include an increase of prolonged near-vision tasks, such as excessive screen time, as well as genetic predispositions. For instance, children with one or both myopic parents are at a higher risk of developing myopia.

The risks of high myopia

While myopia itself is manageable with corrective lenses, high myopia poses serious risks. Individuals with a high myopic prescription face a higher likelihood of developing severe eye conditions such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration later in life – all of which can lead to significant vision impairment and impact their overall quality of life.

Myopia management for children

Fortunately, advances in technology now offer methods that can help slow myopia progression in children, potentially preserving their long-term vision. Our practice provides several clinically proven myopia control options tailored to your child’s individual visual and lifestyle needs.

MiSight contact lenses

Using dual-focus technology, these specialized contact lenses manage myopia progression by controlling how light is focused on the retina. Clinical studies show that MiSight lenses can slow myopia progression by up to 59% compared to traditional lenses.

NaturalVue contact lenses

NaturalVue lenses employ a unique design that offers a wide field of view and helps reduce eye strain. These lenses are suitable for children aged 7 and older and have been shown to help slow myopia progression.

Diluted atropine eye drops

Used at night, these eye drops help to slow the rate of myopia progression. They are typically prescribed for children aged 6 and above, and their effectiveness has been supported by clinical research.

For children aged 7 to 14, these myopia control options can be highly effective. Our pediatric optometrist will work with you to determine the best solution based on your child’s vision and lifestyle needs.

Outdoor play

In addition to these advanced treatments, encouraging outdoor play can be a valuable complementary approach to managing myopia. Studies suggest that spending at least 2 hours per day outdoors can help slow myopia progression in children.