What Is Myopia?
Myopia, also commonly known as nearsightedness, is an eye condition where people have more difficulty seeing objects at a distance. Common symptoms are trouble seeing far away, increased blurred vision at night, and squinting to bring distance objects in focus.
Risks
Myopia has become a growing concern within young people. While the blurry vision of nearsightedness can generally be corrected with prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, these solutions do not prevent myopia from deteriorating. If left untreated, worsening myopia will worsen vision at distance and increase the risk of cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration. Fortunately, evidence and research have shown certain treatments effective in slowing the progression of myopia in children.
Treatment
Treating myopia at an early stage is key to limiting the effects of myopia on vision and eye health. Recent research on myopia control has shown to successfully slow down the progression of myopia in young people. We are proud to provide our patients with myopia control treatments. Our doctors are trained and experienced in managing the progression of myopia and offer several treatments to control myopia. Schedule an appointment to learn more.
Myopia Control Options
MiSight Lenses
Misight 1 day is the only FDA approved soft contact lens to slow the progression of myopia in children. This contact lenses allows the patient to see clearly through the center of the lens while the outer portion has a peripheral defocus treatment zone. MiSight contact lenses should be worn at least 10 hours a day, 6 days a week for optimal clinical success.
Specialty Contact Lenses
Specialty contact lenses used at our clinic have been FDA approved, just not specifically to slow the progression of myopia. However, these contact lenses have been used for many years by eye care practitioners as a myopia control treatment. Depending on your child’s prescription, specialty contact lenses may be the more appropriate treatment method.
Atropine Eye Drops
Low concentration (0.01% to 0.50%) atropine has been shown to significantly slow the progression of myopia without increasing pupil size or decreasing near vision dramatically. Eye drops are used just once before bedtime and the patient may continue with their current glasses or contact lenses.
Stellest® Myopia Control Lenses
Stellest® lenses are an advanced spectacle lens option designed to both provide clear vision and slow the progression of nearsightedness (myopia) in children. Unlike traditional single-vision glasses that only correct blurry distance vision, Stellest lenses use a unique optical design that creates a pattern of focused and slightly defocused light that signals the eye to slow down its growth — the main driver of increasing myopia prescriptions.