Myopia Management

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a growing concern around the world - especially among children. With more time spent indoors and on digital screens, more young people are developing myopia earlier in life, and their prescriptions are progressing more quickly. Fortunately, advancements in eye care have introduced a variety of myopia management options to help slow its progression and preserve long-term eye health. At 4 Eyes Optometry, we specialize in early detection and personalized treatment plans to help manage myopia and reduce future risks.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia is a common refractive error that makes distant objects appear blurry while close-up vision remains clear. It occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back or when the cornea is too curved. This causes light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. While glasses or contact lenses can correct vision, they do not stop myopia from worsening over time.

Nearly 40% of Americans have myopia and it is projected that 50% of the world’s population will have myopia by 2050, with 1 billion having high myopia (defined as greater than -6.00). The World Health Organization (WHO) has now even recognized this as a “myopia epidemic” since that number is increasing at an alarming rate, especially among school-aged children The heavy use of digital devices is not going away and certainly is not helping things.

The younger your child, the faster their myopia tends to progress. Early and regular eye exams are essential for detecting myopia as soon as possible. Treating it early can help slow its progression and reduce the risk of serious eye health issues later in life.

Why Is Myopia Management Important?

Untreated or rapidly progressing myopia isn't just about needing stronger glasses; it can lead to serious eye health risks later in life, including:

Retinal detachment
Glaucoma
Myopic macular degeneration
Cataracts

The higher the level of myopia, the greater the risk. Early intervention can help slow the progression and lower the risk of long-term complications.

Types of Myopia Control

Our job is to protect your child’s vision from getting worse as they grow, using the most appropriate treatment.

MiSight® 1 Day Contact Lenses
MiSight® 1 Day Contact Lenses is a dual focus soft contact lens that is one of two FDAapproved myopia control treatment to provide clear vision while simultaneously slowing the worsening of myopia. It was designed for young children, and its safety and efficacy are supported by a 7-year study and hundreds of thousands of patients.

Low Dose Atropine Therapy

Low dose atropine eyedrops are instilled each night to slow the growth of the eye. Side effects may include mild dilation of the pupils and a temporary reduction in the eye’s focusing ability.

Essilor® Stellest® Spectacle Lens

We are excited to announce that myopia control eyeglass lenses have been approved by the FDA and should be available in the U.S. by the end of 2025. The Essilor® Stellest® spectacle lens consists of a single vision zone and a H.A.L.T. (H.A.L.T. is an acronym for Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target) technology zone to slow myopia progression. Clinical studies showed 67% reduction in myopia progression vs. regular single-vision lenses.

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) contact lenses temporarily reshape the cornea overnight. Upon removal in the morning, nearsightedness is corrected, delivering clear vision all day long. It is a great option for those who want freedom from daytime glasses and contact lenses, and especially swimmers and water polo players. These lenses must be worn each night to maintain clear vision.

The Best Treatment Is Personalized

Each child’s eyes and lifestyle are different, so myopia control should never be onesize- fits-all. During a comprehensive eye exam, we evaluate your child’s vision, prescription history, and eye health to recommend the most effective myopia management strategy.

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

If you notice that your child is having a difficult time seeing objects that are far away, contact us to schedule an appointment. Treating myopia as quickly as possible can help to reduce your child’s chances of developing a serious eye condition that can threaten their ability to see the world around them. Call today and schedule an eye exam to discover how we can help your child.