Preserve Your Child’s Vision with Myopia Control

Myopia, or nearsightedness, affects nearly one-third of Canadian children, and the rate of myopia is on the rise worldwide. The good news is that recent advances in optometry have proven effective in finding ways to slow the progression of myopia in kids.

This means it may be possible to slow the changes in your child’s eyes, leaving them with less of a refractive error than without myopia control. Also, higher refractive error comes with inherent risk factors for age-related eye disease, so acting early on is also part of our mission to preserve a quality of life later on. In other words: the possibility for thinner lenses and better eyesight. Book an appointment for your child today.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, happens when the eye grows to become too long, or the cornea has too much curvature. As a result, a person with myopia can see objects close up, but things far away appear blurry.

It typically begins in childhood, and increases (resulting in a change in prescription) until about age 20.

What Causes Myopia?

Myopia can be hereditary, meaning if you or your child’s other parent are myopic, your children have a higher risk of myopia, too.

There are theories that a lot of time spent indoors using digital screens and doing other close-focus activities could be contributing to the increasing prevalence of myopia worldwide. For that reason, kids are encouraged to get outside and play away from screens regularly.

Is There a Cure for Myopia?

There’s no cure for myopia, though laser eye surgery can provide a long-term solution for adults without requiring glasses or contacts. Myopia control can slow the progression of myopia, potentially resulting in a lower refractive error by the end of childhood than without myopia control.

Our Myopia Control Treatments

If your child’s comprehensive eye exam reveals myopia, we can suggest an appropriate myopia control method based on their age and their needs.

MiSight Contact Lenses

MiSight multifocal contact lenses are clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia in 8 to 12-year-olds. In a 3-year study, MiSight reduced myopia progression by 59% compared to single vision lenses.

These lenses both correct the refractive error, so your child can see clearly, and create “myopic defocus” in well defined zoned of the eye. This allows an image to be focused in the front of the retina, instead of behind it, which slows the unwanted elongation of the eye

Essilor Orthokeratology

Ortho-k, short for orthokeratology, is a non-surgical vision correction method. It involves using specially designed rigid gas-permeable contact lenses to temporarily reshape the cornea, which can also provide clear vision during the day without the need for glasses.

The benefits of ortho-k can include less reliance on prescription eyewear while potentially slowing myopia progression—specifically for children.

It’s essential to consult with an eye care professional to determine if ortho-k is suitable for your or your child’s specific needs.

Multifocal Contact Lenses

Usually, when we talk about multifocal contacts, we’re referring to lenses prescribed to people over 40 to help them see close up. But this type of contact lens has been clearly shown to make a difference in the progression of myopia in children. Research is ongoing to determine just how long children should wear the lenses in order to achieve the best results.

Explore Myopia Control For Your Child

The best way to find out if your child is a candidate for myopia control is to come in for an eye exam and talk to your optometrist. Book your child’s next appointment with us today.