Myopia Management
In keeping with Michiana Eye Center's commitment to the preservation & restoration of vision, and the prevention of blindness, we are excited to offer a new program targeted at slowing the progression of myopia in younger patients.
- Myopia is a common eye condition. Its most frequent symptom is nearsightedness, which means that objects in the distance are blurry.
- The myopic eye is longer than the non-myopic eye.
- Blurry vision due to myopia is the result of light rays focusing at a point in front of the retina rather than directly on the surface.1
- Myopia can worsen over time and/or worsen if appropriate interventions are delayed.2
What causes myopia?
- Family history affects a child's risk of myopia.
- There is a higher risk for a child developing myopia when at least one or both parents have myopia.
- Less time spent outdoors.3
- An increased amount of time spent on digital devices or time spent reading.4
How can Myopia Management Help?
One of the strongest predictors of developing nearsightedness, or myopia, is the level of refractive error present at certain ages. If your child has risk factors for myopia, their eye is likely growing at a faster rate than normal. Initiation of treatment should begin as soon as these risk factors can be identified.
Currently, four main methods of addressing myopia progression have demonstrated success in reducing the rate of axial elongation:
- Atropine eye drops
- Specialty multi-focal soft contact lenses
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-k) hard contact lenses
- Stellest spectacle lenses by Essilor
Multi-focal contact lenses, or lenses with both a near (reading) area, and a distance area for viewing, have proven to be particularly successful.Currently, there is one FDA-approved multi-focal contact lens that has been created to specifically address the needs of myopic children. This lens, the MiSight 1-Day lens, was developed with focus areas that have demonstrated a reduction in the rate of axial elongation, therefore decreasing the rate of prescription change over time.
Ortho-K (orthokeratology) for myopia control involves wearing specially designed rigid gas-permeable contact lenses overnight to gently reshape the cornea. While you sleep, the lens flattens the cornea, which provides clear, unaided daytime vision while simultaneously altering peripheral light focus to signal the eye to stop growing.
Essilor® Stellest® lenses are the first FDA-authorized eyeglass lenses clinically proven to slow myopia progression in children. By combining a clear central vision zone with an invisible array of lenslets, they slowed myopia progression by 71% on average over two years compared to standard single-vision lenses. Children of any age can wear these lenses.
Children who are candidates for specialty contact lenses and ortho-k are:
- Ages 8-18 Years Old
- Refraction greater than -0.75 diopters
- Less than 0.75 diopters of astigmatism (cylinder power)
At Michiana Eye Center, we offer convenient pricing programs to make these therapies affordable for all of our patients. We also offer payment plans using Care Credit. For more information on our Myopia Management Program, or to schedule an appointment with us to discuss if your child may be a candidate, please contact our office at (574) 271-3939.
References: 1. Mayo Clinic. Nearsightedness. Retrieved August 20, 2021 from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasses-conditions/nearsightedness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375556. 2. Donovan L, Sankaridurg P, Ho A, Naduvilath T, Smith EL 3rd, Holden BA. Myopia progression rates in urban children wearing single-vision spectacles. Optom Vis Sci. 2012 Jan;89(1):27-32. doi:10.1097/OPX.0b013e3182357f79. PMID: 21983120; PMCID: PMC3249020. 3. Rose KA, Morgan IG, Ip J, et al. Outdoor Activity Reduces the prevelance of Myopia in Children. Ophthalmology. 2008;115(8):1279-1285. 4. Wolffsohn JS, Calossi A, Cho P, et al. Global Trends in Myopia Management Attitudes and Strategies in ClinicalPractice. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2016;39(2):106-16.
Location
Find us on the map
Office Hours
Our regular schedule
Newsletter Signup
Sign up for more articles
Testimonials
Reviews By Our Satisfied Clients
"Dr. Anderson and his staff are so patient and friendly. Dr. Anderson prescribed me glasses and I had the toughest time picking out frames. They didn’t rush, but instead made helpful suggestions and now I have an awesome pair of frames, not to mention the fact that I can see ten times better than before. You guys are the best!"
Shelly
"I can say without a doubt that my experience with Michiana Eye Center has been life changing."
Jane Underly - Patient Mishawaka, IN