Your child’s early years are vital for healthy visual development.

Myopia, a condition affecting nearly 30% of the U.S. population, often begins in childhood and can worsen through adolescence. Your child relies on their vision for so much in life: learning at school, playing sports with friends, watching movies with the family—the list is long—however, a common refractive error like myopia can affect their ability to enjoy these activities and increase the risk of developing sight-threatening conditions as they grow up.

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This problem, known as myopia—or nearsightedness—causes distant objects to appear blurry. It occurs when the eye grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than on it. Left untreated, myopia can impact your child’s academic performance as well as their enjoyment of everyday activities.

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But there are ways to manage its development.
Our doctors specialize in managing myopia to help protect your child’s vision for the future. The first step to controlling the progression of myopia is visiting our team for a comprehensive eye exam. An eye exam allows us to get to the bottom of your child’s visual needs and prepare a personalized myopia control solution.

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Our doctors use three main myopia control methods:

1. Atropine Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops are a treatment method for controlling the progression of childhood myopia. These eye drops are given at night before bedtime and require consistent use to slow myopia progression. Studies have shown that low doses of atropine in the form of eye drops can help slow the progression of myopia in children and prevent severe nearsightedness. The dosage we prescribe will depend on your child’s specific vision needs.

2. Ortho-K Contact Lenses: Orthokeratology, also known as "Ortho-K", is an excellent option for most patients with mild to moderate myopia. Ortho-K lenses are inserted at night and removed in the morning, allowing your child to see clearly throughout the day by temporarily reshaping the cornea to improve vision. This method helps reduce dependence on contact lenses and glasses during the day.

3. MiSight 1 Day Contact Lenses: MiSight 1-day lenses are multi-focal contact lenses designed for kids ages 8–12. The lens design features multiple focusing powers that correct blurry distance vision and refocus peripheral light to slow the progression of myopia. MiSight is the first soft contact lens approved by the FDA for myopia control, and our doctors are certified to prescribe them.​

 

Our personalized myopia control programs use these management techniques to slow myopia progression and preserve your child’s ability to see clearly. Early detection is the key to managing myopia effectively.

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Common signs of myopia include:

• Sitting too close to the TV or digital screens

• Difficulty recognizing distant objects

• Frequent eye rubbing or excessive blinking

• Complaints of eye strain or headaches​

 

In today's digital age, increased screen time can significantly elevate the risk of developing myopia, making regular eye exams even more essential for detection and management. By diagnosing myopia early, we can implement effective treatments to help slow its progression.​