Myopia Management

Why Myopia Matters?

If you have high myopia—a prescription of -6.00 diopters or more—you're at greater risk of eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and myopic maculopathy. These problems can cause vision loss or blindness if left untreated, so early intervention is key.

Myopia is a growing problem

The prevalence of myopia has been on the rise around the world, and it is now considered a significant public health issue. In the US, the number of children with myopia has doubled over the last 20 years.

The solution is Myopia Management

There are different ways to manage myopia, including specialty contact lenses, eye drops, and lifestyle changes like spending more time outside and less time on screens. All of these can help slow down myopia and reduce the risk of serious eye problems later.

Managing myopia is crucial for kids because it helps them see more clearly now and reduce risk of vision loss later in life. That's why it's important to see an eye doctor regularly and talk to them about managing myopia if you have it.

Myopia Treatment Options

MiSight Soft Lenses

Daytime soft contact lenses are a comfortable and safe alternative to glasses, providing clear vision for activities like school and sports. They are placed on the eye in the morning and removed at night. MiSight™ lenses are specifically designed and FDA approved to reduce the triggers for the eyes to grow by changing the way light enters the eye. Studies have shown that they can reduce myopia progression by up to 59%.

Although there is a small risk of eye infection with any contact lenses, it can be reduced by using daily disposable lenses and maintaining good hygiene practices. Children wearing these lenses face no additional risks compared to those wearing other soft contact lenses or adults wearing contact lenses. Initially, some children may notice a slight reduction in visual clarity with these lenses, but this is usually not a significant issue and adaptation occurs quickly.

Ortho-k Hard Lenses

Orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses are a special type of contact lens that you wear while you sleep. They gently reshape the front part of your eye so you can see clearly without needing glasses or contacts during the day. It is also known as Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT). Ortho-k lenses can be effective in slowing down the progression of myopia by up to 50%.

As with all contact lenses, ortho-k lenses also have some risks. These risks may include eye infections, dryness and discomfort, and temporary vision changes. However, these risks can be minimized by following proper hygiene practices and checking the fit of the lenses regularly.

Acuvue Abiliti™ Overnight is the only ortho-k lens design that is FDA approved for myopia management. Your doctor may recommend other lens designs based on your eye shape or prescription, which are FDA approved for safety and have been shown in studies to be highly effective in reducing eye growth and slowing myopia progression.

Atropine Eye Drops

Atropine is an eye drop medication that can slow down myopia progression by relaxing the focusing mechanism of the eye. It is specifically formulated for myopia management, is applied every night at bedtime, and can reduce myopia progression by up to 50%. It is a good option for families who feel their child is not ready for contact lenses or if their child's prescription doesn't work well with contact lenses.

Although Atropine eye drops (1%) are approved by the FDA for dilating the pupils, a lower concentration (0.01% to 0.05%) is used for myopia management, which usually causes minimal side effects. Mild blur and light sensitivity may occur, but can be managed with low-powered reading glasses and sunglasses when outdoors.

Although not FDA approved for myopia management, it is FDA approved for safety and studies have shown atropine to be highly effective in reducing eye growth and slowing myopia progression.

Frequently Asked Questions