Myopia Control

Myopia Management

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is one of the most common vision conditions in the world. It affects over 40% of Americans—and that number is growing rapidly, especially in children. By 2050, it’s estimated that nearly half of the world’s population will be myopic. Myopia not only affects clear vision but also increases the risk of serious eye diseases later in life. Learn more about what myopia is, myopia symptoms, myopia causes, myopia control methods, and how manage mypia.

WHAT IS MYOPIA?

Myopia is a condition where close objects are seen clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. This happens when the eye is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Imagine a projector screen. If the projector is positioned too close or out of alignment, the image will appear blurry. The same happens with the eye when it is elongated or shaped incorrectly—distant objects lose their sharpness.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MYOPIA?

Your eye doctor is the only one who can definitively diagnose myopia, but there are common signs that can indicate the condition, especially in children.

MYOPIA SYMPTOMS

Blurry vision when looking at distant objects (such as road signs or the classroom board)
Squinting to see more clearly
Headaches caused by eyestrain
Needing to sit closer to the TV or computer screen
Holding books, phones, or tablets very close to the face
Difficulty seeing clearly while driving, especially at night
Children complaining of tired eyes or poor performance at school due to vision issues

If you or your child notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an eye exam.

WHAT CAUSES MYOPIA?

The exact cause of myopia isn’t fully understood, but both genetics and lifestyle factors play a role. Risk factors include:

RISK FACTORS FOR MYOPIA

Family history of myopia
Spending excessive time on close-up tasks such as reading or screen use
Lack of outdoor time during childhood
Rapid eye growth during school-age years
Asian ethnicity (higher prevalence observed in studies)

MYOPIA CONTROL & PREVENTION

While there is no cure for myopia, there are proven treatments that can slow its progression, especially in children. Controlling myopia early helps reduce the risk of severe nearsightedness and future eye health complications.

MYOPIA CONTROL STRATEGIES

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Special overnight contact lenses reshape the cornea temporarily to provide clear vision during the day and slow myopia progression.
Atropine eye drops: Low-dose atropine drops can slow down the progression of myopia in children.
Multifocal contact lenses or glasses: Special designs help reduce eye strain and slow eye elongation.
Lifestyle changes: Encourage children to spend more time outdoors, limit screen use, and take regular breaks from near work.

LIVING WITH MYOPIA

Myopia can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but managing its progression is equally important. Here are some ways to make life easier if you or your child has myopia:

Keep prescriptions updated with regular eye exams
Use anti-glare or blue light–blocking lenses for screen work
Encourage outdoor play daily for children
Ensure proper lighting for reading and studying
Take the “20-20-20” rule: every 20 minutes of close-up work, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds

WHAT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR MYOPIA

Be sure to let your eye doctor know if you or your child’s vision seems to be getting worse quickly. Rapid prescription changes, frequent squinting, or eye fatigue are all important to report. Your doctor can recommend myopia control options tailored to your lifestyle and needs.

TREATMENT FOR MYOPIA

Myopia can be managed with corrective lenses and special treatments designed to slow its progression.

MYOPIA TREATMENT OPTIONS

Glasses or contact lenses for clear vision
MiSight 1 Day soft contact lenses provide vision correction and slow down the progression of myopia
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) for overnight vision correction and control
Multifocal contact lenses or specialty glasses to reduce strain and progression
Lifestyle changes such as increased outdoor activity and reduced screen time

The best thing you can do to protect your eyes from the risks of progressive myopia is to schedule regular eye exams. Your eye doctor can provide the latest treatment options to help slow down myopia and keep your vision clear. For more information about myopia control or to book an appointment, please contact us today.

MiSight® 1 day* soft contact lenses are specifically designed for myopia control. MiSight 1 day is the first and only FDA approved soft contact lens for myopia control in age-appropriate children. MiSight 1 day helps slow the elongation of the eye and myopia progression, while fully correcting refractive error. Addressing axial elongation helps to reduce the risk of myopia-related vision complications later in life, including irreversible vision loss. Call our office today and ask us about our MiSight myopia control program.

Click here to learn more about MiSight contact lenses

Corneal Refractive Therapy/Orthokeratology

Corneal Refractive Therapy, also known as Orthokeratology, involves wearing specially designed rigid contact lenses overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. This can provide clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses. Ortho-K has been shown to slow down the progression of nearsightedness in some cases, making it a popular choice for children and teenagers.