Myopia Control

Myopia Control and What it Means For Your Child

Your doctor has recommended Myopia Control Therapy to slow the progression of your child’s nearsightedness (Myopia).

What is Myopia?

Myopia is a progressive condition commonly known as nearsightedness or the inability to see objects far away. Over time, the eyes of nearsighted children continue to elongate, which causes an increase in the magnitude of the prescription needed to provide clear vision. Increasing the magnitude of the prescription results in thicker, heavier glasses lenses, but it can also result in other potential effects.

Are there health risks with Myopia?

Patients with high myopia have an increased risk of other ocular conditions later in life; retinal detachment, maculopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. Once the prescription reaches a certain point, LASIK and other refractive surgery options are less effective, less predictable and potentially less safe to perform. Myopia can develop from genetics, especially if both parents are myopic. Other risk factors include environmental circumstances like poor lighting and prolonged near work, especially digital device usage.

Can we slow it down?

Yes. Recent studies have shown several ways to safely and effectively slow the progression of nearsightedness by up to 40%. This could reduce risk for retinal complications, allow more effective and comfortable optical correction, and improve the effectiveness and safety of refractive surgery later.

Myopia Control Methods offered by Complete EyeCare West

MiSight Myopia Control

Soft contact lenses that work by focusing light on a specific part of
the retina to help slow the myopia progression. Thrown away daily, these are not for sleeping.
This treatment is FDA approved.

Low Dose Atropine

This option uses a very low concentration of atropine eye drops used once a day in each eye to help slow the growth of the eyes. The low concentration is safe and effective at slowing the progression of myopia at a low cost. (Search “ATOM study” for details). One drop per eye every night.