For some, yearly eye exams consistently bring news of a stronger prescription. For others, the blurring of distant objects seems to steadily increase over time. This common vision problem, known as nearsightedness (or myopia), happens when the eye grows too long from front to back or when the cornea (the front surface of the eye) is too steeply curved. This causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, making distant objects appear blurry.
While nearsightedness often begins in childhood, it can progress into young adulthood and, in some cases, even later in life. For years, the only solution was to simply get a stronger pair of glasses or contact lenses. However, simply correcting vision doesn’t address the underlying issue of the eye continuing to lengthen.
That’s why at Emerald Point Eye Care, we champion myopia management. This advanced approach isn’t just about clearer vision today; it’s about proactively slowing down or even halting the progression of nearsightedness. This approach safeguards your child’s long-term eye health and visual clarity. Learn more about myopia management.
Why Myopia Management Matters
The progression of nearsightedness can have significant implications beyond the inconvenience of a teen needing thicker glasses.
Reduce Future Health Risks
Higher levels of nearsightedness are associated with an increased risk of serious eye conditions later in life. These include:
- Glaucoma: A disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to permanent vision loss.
- Retinal detachment: When the retina pulls away from the back of the eye; a condition more common in individuals with high myopia.
- Myopic macular degeneration: A serious complication affecting the central retina, leading to central vision loss.
By slowing the progression of myopia early, we significantly reduce these risks and protect long-term vision.
Enhanced Quality of Life
Less severe nearsightedness offers significant advantages, including reduced reliance on strong corrective lenses. This often offers greater freedom to fully engage in sports, travel, and various daily activities.
Addressing myopia can also open doors to more career fields that require strong unaided vision, like aviation or law enforcement, which might otherwise be limited by high prescriptions.
Long-Term Convenience & Savings
While management treatments involve an initial investment, they can ultimately result in potential savings. Treatment can reduce the frequency of prescription updates, so you can hold onto that old pair of glasses longer. And your child may not ever need ultra-thin lenses or custom contacts, which can be expensive.
When myopia is managed properly, you can also significantly reduce the chances of needing expensive future treatments for eye diseases associated with high myopia.
Risk Factors for Progressive Nearsightedness
Common factors contributing to myopia include:
- Increased screen time: Digital devices encourage prolonged up-close work, which can be linked to elongation of the eye over time. Try to limit screen time with your kids — no matter their age!
- Indoor lifestyles: Less time outdoors may impact dopamine release in the retina — a factor associated with slower eye growth. When possible, get your kids outside. Their eyes will thank you for it.
- Genetics: If one or both parents are nearsighted, a child’s chances of developing myopia significantly increase.
- Environmental influences: Poor lighting, excessive close-up work, and lack of regular eye exams can contribute to worsening myopia.
Innovative Treatments to Control Nearsightedness
Fortunately, there are cutting-edge treatments to actively manage and slow the progression of myopia for eligible patients of all ages.
Ortho-K (Orthokeratology) Lenses
Imagine waking up with clear vision, without needing glasses or contact lenses during the day! That’s the magic of Ortho-K. These are specially designed, gas-permeable contact lenses worn only while sleeping. While worn, they gently and temporarily reshape the cornea.
(This is my favorite treatment for myopia management!)
How it works:
The unique design of Ortho-K lenses not only corrects vision but also changes how light focuses on the peripheral retina. This altered focus sends signals to the eye to slow down elongation — a major contributor to myopia progression.
Benefits:
- Daytime freedom from eyewear
- Ideal for active children or teens in sports
- Reversible if treatment is stopped
Drawbacks:
- Higher upfront cost
- Potential discomfort, especially as eyes adjust initially
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine offers a non-invasive treatment, ideal for children who may not be ready for contacts. We recommend that parents apply these eye drops to their kids at bedtime. And in the morning, your child may not need corrective glasses or contacts.
How it works:
Researchers continue to try to understand how exactly these drops manage myopia. It is believed that atropine interferes with the chemical signals that trigger eye elongation.
Benefits:
- Easy nightly application
- Minimal side effects
- Doesn’t interfere with daytime vision
Drawbacks:
- May cause a stinging or burning sensation
- Requires gradual tapering to stop treatment to avoid worsening of myopia
Specialized Soft Contact Lenses
Another great option for myopia management is soft contact lenses. Special contact lenses like MiSight® 1-day lenses are extremely comfortable and designed specifically for children with progressing myopia. These contacts are worn during the day and removed at night.
How it works:
These lenses use ActivControl® Technology, featuring alternating zones for vision correction and myopia control. These zones alter peripheral focus, reducing stimulus for eye growth.
Benefits:
- Comfortable for daily wear
- No cleaning or maintenance
- Great for kids new to contact lenses
Drawbacks:
- Must be worn daily
- Higher upfront cost
Encouraging Outdoor Time
In addition to clinical treatments, we also emphasize lifestyle habits that can naturally support myopia management — especially in children. Here’s how time outside can help:
- Natural light exposure may help regulate eye growth.
- Outdoor activities reduce continuous near work (like reading or tablet use).
- 90 minutes a day of outdoor time can reduce the risk of developing myopia.
As part of our holistic approach, we encourage parents to create a balanced visual routine: outdoor time, screen breaks (following the 20-20-20 rule), and eye-friendly lighting.
Is Myopia Management Right for Your Child?
Myopia management is typically recommended for individuals whose nearsightedness is progressing — meaning their prescription is changing at regular eye exams. Early intervention is key, especially for children between the ages of 6 and 12.
At Emerald Point Eye Care, our process includes:
- Comprehensive eye exams
- Axial length measurement to monitor eye growth
- Customized treatment plans based on lifestyle, age, and myopia severity
- Ongoing monitoring to ensure treatment effectiveness
Let’s Safeguard Long-Term Vision, Together
Don’t let worsening vision go unaddressed. Taking a proactive approach to myopia management can make a significant difference in long-term eye health and visual clarity. If you’re a parent seeking the best for your child, Emerald Point Eye Care is here to help.
Schedule a consultation with us today to discuss your options. We’ll guide you through your choices and build a plan tailored to your family’s needs — because seeing the world clearly isn’t just about today. It’s about protecting the future.