Myopia Control and the Battle Against Blur

At Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear, we understand how important your child’s vision is to their overall well-being and success in life. With myopia (nearsightedness) becoming more prevalent, it’s essential to address this condition early and effectively. That’s why we offer comprehensive myopia control strategies tailored to protect your child’s eye health. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what myopia is, why it’s on the rise, and the innovative solutions we provide to help manage and slow its progression. We are committed to empowering families with the knowledge and tools needed to combat this growing concern.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry while close-up vision remains clear. It occurs when the eye grows too long, or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This condition often begins in childhood and can worsen as the eye continues to grow. In more severe cases, it can lead to long-term eye health complications.
 

Signs and Symptoms of Myopia:

• Difficulty seeing distant objects, such as the whiteboard at school or road signs

• Squinting or straining to see far away

• Frequent headaches due to eye strain

• Sitting too close to screens or holding books very close while reading

Why Is Myopia Increasing?

The prevalence of myopia has risen dramatically in recent years. Studies suggest that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is contributing to this increase. Key factors include:

• Increased Screen Time: Prolonged use of smartphones, tablets, and computers can strain the eyes and encourage myopia progression. Children are spending more time indoors on screens, which reduces their exposure to natural light.

• Reduced Outdoor Time: Spending less time outdoors and more time on near-focused activities like reading or screen use is linked to higher rates of myopia. At least 2 hours a day of outdoor time is essential for proper eye development and can help reduce the risk of developing myopia.

• Family History: If one or both parents have myopia, children are more likely to develop it. Genetic predisposition plays a significant role in determining the likelihood of a child becoming myopic.

Myopia Control Options at Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear

Our practice is proud to offer cutting-edge myopia control solutions tailored to your child’s unique needs. These options include:

1. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K):

Ortho-K involves specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight. These lenses gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, providing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. Ortho-K has also been shown to slow the progression of myopia and is great for active children who play sports or children who are not comfortable enough to insert contacts on their own. Since Ortho-K lenses are inserted at home before bed, parents can assume all responsibility of wear and care of the lenses until the child becomes more comfortable. This non-surgical option is both effective and convenient, offering families a proactive way to manage myopia.

2. MiSight® Contact Lenses:

MiSight® is the first FDA-approved soft contact lens specifically designed for myopia control in children. These daily disposable lenses not only correct vision but also help reduce the rate of myopia progression. MiSight lenses are ideal for children who prefer not to wear glasses or Ortho-K lenses. The daily disposable design ensures cleanliness and ease of use, making it a great option for busy families.

3. Atropine Eye Drops:

Low-dose atropine eye drops have been proven effective in slowing myopia progression. These drops are typically used in conjunction with other myopia control methods for maximum effectiveness. Atropine eye drops are a simple yet powerful tool that can significantly reduce the rate of axial length growth, helping to protect your child’s eye health over the long term.

4. Lifestyle and Visual Hygiene Recommendations:

We’ll work with your family to implement lifestyle changes that can benefit your child’s vision, such as:

• Encouraging more time outdoors (at least 2 hours daily), which has been shown to reduce myopia risk

• Reducing screen time and taking regular breaks during near work to prevent eye strain

• Maintaining proper lighting and posture during reading or screen use to support healthy visual habits

These simple yet effective changes can have a big impact on slowing myopia progression and preserving your child’s vision.

5. Myopia Control Glasses (Coming Soon):

Although not yet available in the United States, specialized myopia control glasses are gaining traction internationally. These glasses use innovative lens designs to manage peripheral defocus, a key factor in myopia progression. By helping to slow eye growth, these lenses represent an exciting future option for families. At Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear, we are closely monitoring developments and look forward to offering this cutting-edge technology as soon as it becomes available. These glasses will open up a new avenue for families looking for convenient and effective myopia management.

See The Difference With Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear

At Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear, we go above and beyond to provide the highest level of personalized care for myopia control. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Personalized Care and Follow-Ups: We prioritize individualized attention for every patient. Our team closely monitors your child’s progress with regular follow-ups to ensure their myopia control plan is effective. Each visit includes a thorough evaluation of your child’s visual health and treatment response. Other offices will just give you lenses without monitoring for progression. We will be with you every step of the way.

• Advanced Axial Length Monitoring: Using state-of-the-art technology, we measure changes in axial length down to the micron (1/1000 of a millimeter), providing precise data to track myopia progression and refine treatment strategies. This level of precision allows us to detect even the smallest changes and act proactively.

• Combination of Therapies: If one approach isn’t effective enough in slowing axial length growth, we can customize a combination of therapies tailored to your child’s specific needs. Our goal is to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment plan by integrating multiple evidence-based strategies.

• Proactive Adjustments: By continuously assessing your child’s progress, we make proactive adjustments to their care plan, ensuring the best possible outcome for their eye health. Our commitment to ongoing evaluation and adaptation sets us apart from other practices.

At Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear, we’re dedicated to providing your child with the most comprehensive and effective myopia control available. We strive to offer a welcoming and supportive environment where families feel confident in the care their child receives.

Partnering with You to Protect Your Child’s Vision

At Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear, we’re committed to helping your family navigate myopia management with personalized care and advanced treatment options. Our goal is to empower your child with the tools they need for clear, healthy vision—both now and in the future. Together, we can ensure your child’s eyesight supports their academic, social, and personal success.

Schedule a Myopia Control Consultation Today

If you’re concerned about your child’s vision or want to learn more about myopia control, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Schedule an appointment online or over the phone, and See The Difference With Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear.