Myopia Management

What is Myopia Management?

Myopia Management is typically treatment in youth to help slow the progression of myopia. Myopia typically develops in childhood and gets worse as the eyes grow. Myopia typically worsens significantly in the teen years and plateaus in adulthood after the eyes stop growing.

Myopia can also increase the risk for serious eye diseases, including:

  • Cataracts

  • Glaucoma

  • Retinal detachment

  • Myopic macular degeneration

Myopia Management Treatment Options

 

Ortho-K Lenses

We often refer to these lenses as "a retainer for the eyes".   These lenses are rigid gas permeable lenses that are worn only while asleep at night and removed upon awakening.  Overnight, the lenses flatten the front on the eye (cornea) temporarily shortening the eye.  This shortening corrects for myopic refractive error throughout the day.  The lenses also provide a slight peripheral de-focus which has proven to slow myopic progression.  The ortho-K fit is a process.  It requires insertion/removal training, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 month follow-up appointments.

Atropine Eye Drops

Although we don't know the exact mechanism of how Atropine slows myopic progression, there are several studies proving it does.  One drop in each eye nightly while school age can be enough to help prevent serious eye diseases linked to high myopia.  If the patient decides to discontinue therapy, we will need to slowly taper the medication to avoid a “rebound” effect. 

MiSight Contact Lenses

MiSight daily disposable contact lenses are the only FDA approved myopia management lens. These lenses are worn every day and taken out nightly.  Like the ortho K contact lenses, the lenses provide a slight peripheral de-focus which has proven to slow myopic progression.