Myopia management

Myopia (or nearsightedness) is one of the most common eye disorders in the world. The prevalence of myopia is about 30 to 40 percent among adults in Europe and the United States, and up to 80 percent or higher in several East Asian countries. Estimations are by the year 2050, roughly half of the world’s population will be nearsighted.

Myopia not only causes blurry distance vision without correction, but also causes the eye to elongate (front to back). This leads to increased risk of ocular health problems like macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachments. These conditions can cause vision loss.

Genetics are a huge factor in myopia progression, if both parents of the child are myopic then the risk of progression greatly increases. Another risk factor is visual environment for each patient. A child who does more near work will have a higher risk of developing progressive myopia. Time outdoors is a key influence in helping slow down progression as well. Studies suggest children should spend roughly 10 hours outdoors every week to minimize risk of progression.

Here is an example of the myopia progression calculator we use in our clinic to determine risk:

Helping Kids See Clearly, Now and for the Future

Is your child nearsighted—or struggling to see the board at school? Myopia (also called nearsightedness) is a common condition where distant objects look blurry. It often gets worse as children grow, especially between the ages of 6 and 18.

At Vision Care Associates, we offer myopia management to help slow down the progression of nearsightedness and protect your child’s long-term eye health.

Why Myopia Management Matters

Nearsightedness doesn’t just mean your child needs glasses. When left unmanaged, high levels of myopia can increase the risk of more serious eye problems later in life, like:

Retinal detachment
Glaucoma
Cataracts
Macular degeneration

What Causes Myopia?

Myopia happens when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea is too curved. Genetics play a role, but so does lifestyle—spending lots of time on screens or doing up-close tasks, and not enough time outdoors, can contribute.

How We Help

We customize a treatment plan based on your child’s needs. Options may include:

MiSight contact lenses – MiSight is the only FDA-approved soft contact lens approved to slow down the progression of myopia. Our Doctors have gone through extensive training to become certified to fit these groundbreaking lenses.
Diluted Atropine eye drops – These drops are to be instilled once a day before bed. Many studies have been done charting the effectiveness of these drops in slowing the progression. This allows for patients that do not want to wear contact lenses the freedom to continue wearing glasses.
Orthokeratology – This is a hard contact lens worn overnight that reshapes the cornea (similar to LASIK) in a way that helps correct refractive error. The contacts are removed in the morning and the cornea retains its shape throughout the day so patients can see clearly without any correction. Your eye doctor can determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment option.

Support Every Step of the Way

We know it can be stressful for parents when your child’s prescription keeps changing. That’s why we monitor their progress closely and explain everything clearly—so you always know what’s happening and how we’re helping.