You squint at your phone screen, hold it farther away, or notice street signs getting blurrier. Maybe your child mentions they can’t see the whiteboard at school. These are common signs of myopia, a vision condition that affects nearly half of all Americans.
There are several methods of myopia control, from traditional glasses and contacts to treatments that may help slow down its progression. At Capitol Optometry, the key is finding the right approach that fits your age, lifestyle, and vision goals.
What Is Myopia?
Your eye works by focusing light rays onto the retina at the back of your eye. When you have myopia, your eyeball grows too long or your cornea curves too much, which can make light focus in front of your retina instead of directly on it.
This creates that familiar blurry distance vision while close-up objects stay sharp. Myopia often runs in families, so if your parents are nearsighted, you’re more likely to be too. Spending lots of time on screens, reading, or doing other close-up work can also contribute to myopia development, especially in kids and teens.
Since myopia typically develops during childhood, early intervention is key to managing symptoms and helping slow progression before it becomes high myopia.
Traditional Correction Options
Glasses and Contact Lenses
Prescription glasses work by bending light rays so they focus correctly on your retina. Most people notice clearer vision right away, and modern frames come in styles that match your unique personality, from classic looks to trendy designs that make a statement.
Contact lenses can offer you a wider field of view since they move with your eyes. Say goodbye to foggy lenses at brunch or streaky frames mid-run: contacts provide an option that keeps up with your life.
Laser Surgery Considerations
Laser eye surgery reshapes your cornea permanently using a laser, which can reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or contacts. However, you need to meet certain requirements. Your prescription should be stable for at least a year, and most eye doctors recommend waiting until you’re at least 18 years old.
With a laser eye surgery consultation, your eye doctor can evaluate whether you’re a good candidate based on your corneal thickness, overall eye health, and lifestyle factors. The procedure works differently for everyone, so a thorough discussion helps you understand what the procedure may achieve.
Myopia Management Options
Myopia management treatments are designed to do more than correct blurry vision. By helping to slow the progression of myopia during childhood and adolescence, these treatments can support long-term eye health and potentially reduce the risk of future vision complications. The earlier myopia is identified and managed, the greater the opportunity to protect your child’s vision as their eyes continue to develop.
MiSight® 1 day Contact Lenses
These daily disposable contacts do double duty in supporting your vision now and helping to slow down myopia progression over time. The FDA has approved them for kids as young as 8, making them a practical option for young athletes or active children who don’t want to worry about glasses.
MiSight® 1 day lenses use dual focus technology that helps to create clear central vision while controlling how your eye grows. You throw away each pair at the end of the day, which supports healthy hygiene and reduces infection risk.
Ortho-K Night Contact Lenses
Ortho-k is the use of special rigid contact lenses that gently reshape your cornea overnight while you sleep. When you wake up and remove the lenses, you can see clearly all day without glasses or regular contacts.
This temporary corneal reshaping can also slow myopia progression in children and teens. Think of it like a retainer for your eyes. The effect gradually fades throughout the day, which is why nightly wear is typically recommended.
Atropine Eye Drops
These prescription eye drops are typically applied once each night before bed. Low-dose atropine can help relax your eye’s focusing muscle, which may slow down the elongation that contributes to myopia worsening in children over the age of 4.
The concentration used for myopia control is often much lower than what eye doctors use for eye exams, so your child will not typically experience significant side effects like light sensitivity or blurred near vision. Many kids can continue their normal activities without any noticeable changes.
Stellest® Lenses
Stellest® lenses look like your everyday pair of glasses, but under the hood, they’re quietly working to keep myopia in check. Clinical studies suggest they may reduce myopia progression by up to 67% compared to standard single vision lenses.
You wear them just like regular glasses throughout your day, and the modern lens design works in the background to help slow down your eye’s growth while supporting clear, comfortable vision for your daily activities.
Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Exam
A comprehensive eye exam does more than check your prescription. It measures corneal shape, eye health, and other factors that shape your treatment plan. Regular monitoring is especially important for kids and teens whose eyes are still developing.
Our team at Capitol Optometry creates personalized plans tailored to your age, lifestyle, and vision goals. Early detection gives you the best chance of slowing progression, so don’t wait for your vision to worsen. Book your eye exam today and take the first step toward seeing your world more clearly.
