Myopia, or nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly common in children. But did you know that correcting their vision with glasses or regular contact lenses isn’t enough to stop their myopia from worsening over time? That’s where myopia management comes in, and it’s crucial to protecting your child’s long-term eye health.
When myopia progresses, it can lead to more than prescription changes. Higher levels of myopia increase the risk of serious eye problems later in life, including cataracts, glaucoma, and even retinal detachment, so managing it early is crucial. At Omaha Primary EyeCare, one of the treatment options we offer for myopia control is MiSight® 1 day soft contact lenses.
What is myopia?
Myopia is when distant objects are blurry while close-up objects are clear. This condition occurs when the eyeball grows too long, or the cornea (the clear front layer of the eye) is too curved. Myopia often starts in childhood between the ages of 6 and 14. For some children, their myopia may stabilize, but for others, myopia can progressively worsen as they grow (known as progressive myopia). Progressive myopia happens when the eyeball continues to elongate over time, further affecting the child’s ability to see distant objects clearly.
The most common signs of progressive myopia include:
- Eye strain: Your child may say their eyes feel tired or uncomfortable after focusing on distant objects.
- Headaches: Frequent headaches, especially after school or sports activities, can be a sign of vision problems.
- Fatigue: Your child might feel unusually tired after spending time outdoors or looking at faraway objects for extended periods.
How MiSight® contact lenses work
MiSight® lenses 1 day soft contact lenses are specially designed for children with myopia. Regular glasses or contacts correct vision, but they won’t slow down myopia progression. MiSight® contact lenses will. The lenses feature a special design that provides clear vision while addressing the eye changes that cause myopia to worsen over time.
Studies have shown that MiSight® lenses can reduce the rate of myopia progression by up to 59%, helping to protect your child’s vision as they grow. Reducing myopia progression helps lower the risk of more serious eye conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment or glaucoma. MiSight® lenses are FDA-approved to slow myopia progression in children ages 8-12 at the start of treatment. Research shows they can also benefit teens up to age 15.
If your child is showing signs of myopia or has already been prescribed glasses for nearsightedness, MiSight® lenses (or other options such as ortho-k) could help manage and protect their eye health. Contact us today at Omaha Primary EyeCare, or request an appointment online, to learn more about our myopia management services in Elkhorn and find out if MiSight® contact lenses are right for your child.
