Myopia Management

Myopia, commonly called nearsightedness, is a vision condition where close objects appear clear, but distant objects appear blurry. It occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back (axial length) or when the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

Myopia is caused by a combination of genetics and environment:
 

Genetic factors

• One or both parents are nearsighted
• Family history of high myopia

Environmental factors

• Excessive near work (screens, reading, tablets)
• Limited outdoor time in childhood
• Prolonged close focusing

• Family history of myopia

• High screen exposure in childhood

• Minimal outdoor activity

• Early onset of myopia (before age 8)

• Urban living environments

• Intensive academic demands

Myopia is not just a vision issue — it is a progressive eye health condition. As myopia increases, so does the risk of long-term eye disease.

High or progressive myopia significantly increases the risk of:

• Retinal detachment
• Myopic macular degeneration
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Permanent vision loss

The higher the prescription, the greater the lifetime risk.

Myopia cannot always be prevented, but its progression can often be slowed with early intervention and proper management.

Protective strategies include:

• Increased outdoor time
• Limiting prolonged near work
• Regular pediatric eye exams
• Early myopia control treatment

MiSight® 1 day contact lenses are FDA-approved soft contact lenses designed specifically to slow myopia progression in children.

How MiSight works:

MiSight lenses use peripheral defocus technology, which changes how light focuses on the retina to slow eye growth.

Benefits:

• FDA-approved for myopia control
• Daily disposable lenses
• Proven to slow progression
• Safe for children
• Comfortable and easy to use

Essilor Stellest® lenses are specialized myopia control glasses using Highly Aspherical Lenslet (HALT) technology.

How Stellest works:

They create a volume of defocused light signals that slow axial eye growth while maintaining clear central vision.

Benefits:

• Non-contact lens option
• Child-friendly
• Proven myopia control technology
• No eye drops required
• Worn like normal glasses

Ortho-K uses custom-designed rigid contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea.

How Ortho-K works:

• Lenses are worn during sleep
• Vision correction during the day without glasses or contacts
• Peripheral defocus slows myopia progression

Benefits:

• Daytime freedom from glasses/contacts
• Myopia control
• Non-surgical
• Ideal for active children and teens

Low-dose atropine eye drops are used nightly to slow myopia progression.

How atropine works:

Atropine reduces biochemical signals that stimulate eye elongation.

Benefits:

• Proven effectiveness
• Simple nightly dosing
• Can be combined with optical treatments
• Suitable for young children

The earlier treatment starts, the better the outcome. Myopia management is most effective when initiated:

• At first diagnosis
• In early childhood
• At the first signs of progression

Monitoring typically includes:

• Regular prescription checks
• Axial length measurements
• Retinal health exams
• Growth trend analysis

Yes. Myopia management treatments are clinically studied, evidence-based, and widely used in pediatric eye care.

Most myopia control treatments are considered elective or preventive care and may not be covered by standard vision insurance. Some plans may provide partial coverage for exams or materials.

Because every diopter matters. Lower prescriptions = lower lifetime risk of vision-threatening complications.

Myopia management is about protecting long-term eye health, not just improving vision today.