Myopia Control

Myopia (Nearsightedness) & Myopia Control

What Is Myopia?

Myopia (nearsightedness) is rapidly becoming more common—nearly 50% of North Americans are expected to have myopia by 2030. It occurs when the eye grows too long, causing blurry distance vision.

At our practice, we take a proactive approach to pediatric eye care, focusing not just on seeing clearly today—but protecting your child’s vision for the future.

We perform comprehensive pediatric eye exams starting at age 3, which allows us to detect early signs of myopia and even identify children who are at risk before significant vision changes occur.

Myopia can begin early and often worsens as children grow. Many kids don’t realize their vision is blurry, so signs like squinting, sitting close to screens, or struggling in school may go unnoticed.

With increased screen time, it’s more important than ever to:

• Take breaks every 60 minutes (at least 5 minutes)

• Spend at least 90 minutes outdoors daily

Early detection is key. The younger a child develops myopia, the faster it can progress—making routine pediatric eye exams essential.

Why Myopia Control Matters

Myopia is more than just needing glasses—it’s linked to higher risks of serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal problems and eye disease.

Controlling myopia progression helps:

• Protect long-term eye health

• Improve performance in school and activities

• Reduce dependence on stronger prescriptions over time

Myopia Control Options We Offer

Essilor Stellest lenses

Stellest™ lenses are advanced myopia control glasses designed for children who prefer spectacles.

• Uses highly aspherical lens technology (HALT)

• Clinically shown to significantly slow myopia progression

• Comfortable, non-invasive option

• Ideal for younger children or those not ready for contact lenses

MiSight 1 day contact lenses

MiSight® 1 day lenses are the first and only FDA-approved soft contact lenses specifically designed to slow myopia progression in children.

• Dual-focus design for clear vision + treatment

• Proven to slow myopia progression over multiple years

• Daily disposable = clean, convenient, and safe

• Ideal for active kids who prefer not to wear glasses

Historical & Alternative Myopia Control Options

Before newer technologies like Stellest™ and MiSight® became available, several other approaches were used to help manage myopia progression. While still used in some settings, they are not part of our in-office treatment offerings:

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Overnight lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea for daytime clear vision

• Low-dose atropine drops: Medicated eye drops used nightly to slow eye growth

• Soft multifocal contact lenses: Originally designed for adults but adapted for myopia control in children

We’re always happy to discuss these options and help guide you if you’re exploring alternatives.

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam

If your child is having difficulty seeing far away—or has never had an eye exam—now is the time to act.

Starting at age 3, our pediatric eye exams can detect early myopia and identify risk factors before vision problems impact learning and development.

Early treatment can make a lasting difference in your child’s vision and eye health.

Call today to schedule a pediatric eye exam and learn how we can help manage and slow myopia progression.