Most people with myopia operate just fine with their corrective lenses. While being nearsighted itself isn’t always a problem, we are, however, seeing rising rates of myopia in children. Especially as digital screens become more popular and children spend less time outdoors in natural sunlight.
Luckily, myopia control lenses offer a solution to slow myopia progression, helping to preserve vision and eye health. Our team is proud to offer a variety of lens options, including:
- Soft contact lenses like MiSight or Abiliti
- Spectacles (peripheral defocusing) likes MiYOSMART, Myocare
- Orthokeratology lenses
Annual routine eye exams are an excellent way to catch and address vision concerns early, like myopia progression, to support better health outcomes for your child’s future.
The Basics of Myopia Control Therapy
Myopia control involves a range of treatments that aim to slow the progression of nearsightedness. Although children and teens benefit the most from these therapies, certain options can also effectively address the visual needs of young adults.
While we can’t change or reverse the eye’s physical shape, myopia alters the eye’s shape by causing it to elongate. However, we can slow the rate of myopia progression (and subsequent eye elongation) for better outcomes with myopia control therapies.
The Science Behind Myopia Control
These specialized therapies work by altering how light interacts with the retina, located at the back of the eye. Myopia lenses use techniques like defocus management or corneal reshaping to control how the eye grows.
Traditional lenses focus light directly onto the retina while leaving peripheral light slightly unfocused, which can signal the eye to grow longer and worsen myopia. Myopia control lenses address this by adjusting the focus of peripheral light to reduce the stimulus for eye elongation.
The earlier you start myopia control, the more effective it can be. This is primarily because children’s eyes are still growing and more adaptable, making them more responsive to treatment.
Visiting your optometrist for a thorough consultation can determine the right course of action through myopia control therapy.
Your Guide to Myopia Control Options
At Trinity Hills Eyecare, we offer several myopia control therapies tailored to your child’s unique needs. Through an initial consultation, we can determine the right course of treatment based on your child’s vision, rate of progression, lifestyle, and overall health.
Here’s a breakdown of the options we provide:
MiSight Contact Lenses
MiSight 1-day contact lenses are the first FDA-approved soft contact lenses specifically designed for myopia control.
These daily disposable lenses use concentric circles of light refraction to create myopic defocus, which helps slow the eye’s elongation. They are comfortable, hands-free, and provide vision correction alongside myopia control.
These contacts are a great option for active kids, those who prefer contacts over glasses, and those who want flexibility in their day-to-day.
Abiliti Contact Lenses
Abiliti 1-Day contact lenses are specially designed to slow the progression of myopia in children. These soft lenses use advanced myopic defocus technology, which helps reduce the stimulus for eye elongation—a key factor in worsening nearsightedness.
- Daily disposable for easy wear and hygiene
- Suitable for children with active lifestyles
- Backed by clinical research and FDA-approved
Abiliti lenses are a great option for families looking for a non-invasive, kid-friendly solution to manage myopia progression effectively.
Myopia Control Glasses
Myopia control glasses like MiYOSMART are designed with advanced optics to reduce peripheral defocus, setting them apart from traditional eyeglasses. These lenses work by redirecting light to reduce stress on the eye’s focusing mechanism, helping to slow axial elongation. They’re a comfortable, non-invasive, and easy way to support myopia management for children who prefer the stability of eyeglasses.
MyoCare Glasses are also a brilliant alternative to help control the progression of myopia in kids. These glasses use an innovative technology to create a treatment zone that signals the eye to reduce elongation. These lenses also take into consideration the movement of the eyeball by incorporating a ClearFocus design to enable consistent defocus across all directions of gaze. MyoCare lenses are ideal for younger children and offer full UV protection for daily wear.
Orthokeratology Lenses
A non-negotiable contact lens rule is never sleeping in your lenses. However, orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses are an exception.
Ortho-k lenses are rigid gas-permeable contact lenses worn only while sleeping. These lenses gently reshape the cornea overnight, providing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts.
The lens contacts a clear central zone and a mid-peripheral ring, which reduces the signal for excessive eye growth. Unlike other therapies, which are well-suited to support children’s growing vision, ortho-k lenses are the only known control option that can effectively slow myopia progression for adults up to age 29.
Atropine Drops
Even though these specialized eye drops aren’t lenses, people can use them alongside other therapies like MiSight contact lenses or specialized eyeglasses.
Atropine eye drops are a low-dose medication used once a day, typically before bed, to relax the eye’s focusing muscles and reduce eye elongation.
The Importance of Myopia Control
Having myopia is more than just needing corrective lenses.
Without timely intervention, myopia will continue to progress, affecting eye growth and vision, which can lead to sight-threatening complications down the line, such as cataracts, glaucoma, myopic maculopathy, and retinal tears or detachments.
On top of that, progressive myopia can lead to an intense reliance on stronger prescriptions over time, affecting your child’s ability to participate comfortably in everyday activities or hobbies.
Controlling myopia helps safeguard your child’s long-term eye health while maintaining functional and clear vision, allowing them to excel in school, sports, and more!
Safeguard Your Child’s Sight
There’s no better time than now to support your child’s vision.
Starting myopia control early allows our expert team at Trinity Hills Eyecare to create a personalized plan that supports your child’s growing vision. With options like atropine drops, MiSight contact lenses, ortho-k lenses, and myopia control glasses, there’s a solution for every child.
Schedule an appointment with us today to find the myopia control option right for your child. Clear vision and long-term eye health start here!
