Are you noticing that your child’s glasses prescription is changing more often than you expected? If so, it might be time to consider myopia management. At Family Eyecare of Orange, we offer myopia management in Orange to help protect your child’s vision not just today, but for years to come.
What is myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition that makes it difficult to see distant objects clearly. It happens when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. As a child’s eyes continue to grow, their myopia can worsen, sometimes rapidly.
Why is myopia becoming more common?
Myopia is on the rise around the world, especially among children. According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of the global population may have myopia by 2050.
Factors contributing to this trend include:
- Increased screen time
- Less time spent outdoors
- More time spent on close-up tasks like reading or using digital devices
- A family history of myopia
If one or both parents are nearsighted, their children are more likely to develop it too.
Does myopia stop progressing?
Myopia usually begins in childhood after age 4 and progresses throughout the school years and into adolescence. This progression happens because the eye continues to grow, especially during growth spurts.
Without proper management, some children may experience rapidly worsening vision, known as progressive myopia. While myopia often stabilizes in the late teens or early twenties, it can reach high levels before then if left unmanaged.
The risks of high myopia
Progressive myopia is more than just needing thicker glasses. As nearsightedness worsens, the eye continues to grow longer, which can place stress on the internal structures of the eye. This increased eye length is associated with a higher risk of developing serious, potentially vision-threatening conditions later in life, including:
- Retinal detachment
- Glaucoma
- Myopic macular degeneration
By managing myopia early, we can reduce these risks and help preserve your child’s long-term eye health.
What is myopia management?
Myopia management is a proactive strategy for slowing the progression of nearsightedness. Rather than just correcting blurry vision, it addresses the underlying eye growth that causes myopia to worsen.
At Family Eyecare of Orange, we offer the Brilliant Futures™ Myopia Management Program featuring MiSight® 1 day contact lenses. MiSight® contact lenses are the first and only FDA-approved soft contact lenses proven to slow myopia progression in children ages 8–12.
How do MiSight® contact lenses work?
MiSight® 1 day contact lenses are soft, daily disposable lenses that serve two functions:
- Vision correction – Like standard contact lenses, they provide clear vision throughout the day.
- Myopia control – They have a unique design that helps slow the eye’s growth, which is the primary factor in myopia progression.
According to a clinical study, MiSight® lenses can reduce myopia progression by an average of 59% over three years, and 41% experienced no progression at all.
What’s included in the Brilliant Futures™ Program?
The Brilliant Futures™ Myopia Management Program is designed to support both children and parents with a convenient, comprehensive care plan. The program includes:
- A 12-month supply of MiSight® 1 day lenses
- Free shipping and returns, even if your child’s prescription changes
- A scheduled series of office visits to monitor progress
- Access to online support tools
- A mobile app with educational resources and appointment reminders
Is myopia management right for your child?
Your child may be a good candidate for myopia management if:
- Their prescription keeps increasing
- They are willing and able to care for contact lenses
- They spend very little time outdoors
- One or both parents have myopia
During a pediatric eye exam in Orange, our experienced eye doctors will assess your child’s eye shape, prescription, and risk factors. We’ll then recommend a personalized plan to help protect their long-term vision.
Protect your child’s future vision
The earlier you start, the more effective myopia management can be. At Family Eyecare of Orange, we provide high-quality, customized care to help manage your child’s myopia.
To learn more about the Brilliant Futures™ Program and whether it’s right for your child, schedule an appointment with our team today.