Myopia Management

Myopia Management: Slowing Progression of Nearsightedness

Myopia (nearsightedness) occurs when the eye grows too long, causing distant objects to appear blurry, such as road signs and trees. More children are developing myopia at earlier ages, which increases the risk of serious eye diseases later in life—such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy.

At Monroe Vision Clinic, we offer evidence-based myopia management to not just correct vision, but to slow or stop the progression of nearsightedness and protect your child’s long-term vision and eye health.

Why Myopia Control Is Important

Managing myopia is about more than just updating glasses. Higher levels of myopia increase the risk of permanent vision loss later in life. Studies show that slowing myopia progression—even by one diopter—can significantly reduce the chance of developing retinal or macular complications.

Early intervention is key. The earlier myopia management begins, the more effectively we can control eye growth and preserve healthy vision.

Myopia Management Treatment Options

1. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

What it is:
Orthokeratology, also known as Ortho-K, involves wearing specially designed rigid contact lenses overnight. These lenses gently reshape the surface of the cornea while you sleep, providing clear vision throughout the day without glasses or contacts. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that Ortho-K lenses can significantly slow eye growth in children—by an average of 50%.

Benefits:

• Clear daytime vision without glasses or contacts
• Excellent for active kids and athletes

2. MiSight® 1 day Soft Contact Lenses

What it is:
MiSight® 1 day lenses are a daily disposable soft contact lens designed specifically for children with myopia. They use a patented dual-focus optical design that provides clear vision while signaling the eye to slow its elongation. MiSight® 1 day is the first and only soft contact lens FDA-approved to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8–12 at the start of treatment. Clinical studies demonstrated that children wearing MiSight lenses had about 50% less myopia progression compared to those wearing standard glasses or contact lenses.

Benefits:

• FDA-approved
• Easy-to-use daily disposable lenses

3. Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops

What it is:
Atropine is a medicated eye drop traditionally used for other eye conditions, but at very low concentrations it can slow myopia progression by relaxing the eye’s focusing mechanism and reducing growth signals to the retina. We work with a compounding pharmacy to prepare customized concentrations by prescription and are delivered to your home for your convenience.

Benefits:

• Children who are not ready for contact lenses
• Can be combined with other myopia management methods

Why Myopia Control Matters

Myopia often progresses rapidly during childhood. Higher levels of myopia mean:

• Thinner retinas and increased lifetime risk of retinal detachment
• Higher risk of glaucoma and myopic macular degeneration
• Greater dependence on strong glasses or contact lenses

Managing myopia early can protect long-term ocular health and give your child the freedom to see clearly without worrying about worsening eyesight every year. These treatments are safe, effective, and supported by years of clinical research.

Next Step

If your child’s prescription has increased yearly, or if there’s a family history of high myopia, a myopia management consultation can help determine the best option. Our optometrists will evaluate your child’s prescription, eye health, and lifestyle to create a personalized myopia control plan that fits their needs.