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Over four billion people worldwide use some formof vision correction, such as glasses and contact lenses. Myopia, commonlyreferred to as nearsightedness, is a condition that affects more than 2.6billion people globally. Many parents of children with myopia believe thatcorrecting the visual distortions is sufficient care. However, it’s soimportant to also address the progression of the condition.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia is a refractive error that causes distantobjects to appear blurry while nearby objects stay in focus. This visualdistortion occurs when the eye is elongated. Known as axial elongation, the eyebecomes longer from front to back, instead of being round, resulting in light focusingin front of the retina rather than directly on it, leading to distance blur.
Some of the primary risk factors contributing tothe rise of myopia among children and adolescents include genetics, frequentnear work, reduced time outdoors, and excessive screen time. Prolonged periodsof stress on the eyes can increase the risk of myopia or accelerate myopiaprogression. The number of children diagnosed with myopia each year is rising,with some estimating that by 2050, half the population will be nearsighted.What is the difference between myopia management and vision correction?
Vision Correction
Vision correction refers to the methods used toimprove a patient’s ability to see clearly. The most common vision correctionstrategies are prescription glasses and contact lenses, which help to refocusthe light entering the eye back on the retina. How light enters the eye plays anessential role in visual clarity.
Someadults opt for refractive surgical procedures such as LASIK (Laser-Assisted InSitu Keratomileusis) or PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), which work byreshaping the cornea to correct refractive errors. However, these proceduresare only approved for use in adults. While they can improve visual acuity, theydo not slow or stop the underlying progression of myopia, a key considerationwhen managing nearsightedness in children and adolescents.
Myopia Control
Vision correction addresses the symptoms of myopiaby providing clear vision, but continuous management is crucial to slow theprogression of the condition. The goal of myopia management is to slow or haltthe worsening of axial growth which leads to more nearsightedness. In childrenand teenagers with myopia, vision can continue to deteriorate rapidly untilearly adulthood, when the condition typically stabilizes.
Severaltherapies have been shown to significantly slow the progression of myopia inchildren and adolescents. One of the most established options is orthokeratology (Ortho-K) ; a treatment that uses specially designed rigid contact lensesworn overnight to gently reshape the cornea. After the lenses are removed inthe morning, the patient can enjoy clear, unaided vision throughout the day. Inaddition to correcting vision, Ortho-K has been shown to effectively slow axialelongation of the eye, which is the structural cause of myopia progression.Because it’s used only while sleeping, Ortho-K is particularly appealing foractive children or those who struggle with daytime lens wear.
Anothereffective treatment involves center-distancemultifocal soft contact lenses, such as MiSight. These lenses are wornduring the day and are specifically designed to reduce peripheral hyperopicdefocus; a key factor contributing to the worsening of myopia. MiSight lensesnot only correct vision but also send a “stop” signal to the eye, helping tolimit its elongation over time. They are FDA-approved for myopia control inchildren as young as 8, and many kids adapt quickly to their use with proper guidanceand support.
Low-doseatropine eye drops, typically administered at bedtime, offer a pharmacologicalapproach to slowing myopia. At concentrations such as 0.01% to 0.05%, thesedrops have been shown to effectively reduce myopia progression with minimalside effects. They are especially useful for younger children who may not yetbe ready to manage contact lenses independently. Because atropine does notcorrect vision, it is often used alongside glasses or contact lenses for fullvisual clarity.
Eachof these treatment options comes with its own advantages, and the best approachoften depends on a child’s age, lifestyle, maturity, and visual needs. Acareful evaluation by an eye care professional can help determine the mostsuitable and sustainable plan for long-term myopia control.
The Risk ofUnmanaged Myopia
Simply correcting myopia without controlling itsprogression increases the likelihood of complications. Without propermanagement, myopia can gradually progress to high myopia. In turn, this carriesthe risk of severe ocular conditions later in life. Retinal detachment,cataracts, and glaucoma are more likely to develop in patients whose nearsightednessis not adequately managed.
Vision correction alone does not reduce the risksof high myopia because it doesn’t prevent the elongation of the eyes; a keyfactor in the development of severe long-term complications. Therefore, manyfamilies with myopic children choose a combination of vision correction and controllingthe condition.
Your eyecare specialist will perform acomprehensive eye exam to evaluate your child’s vision and the likelihood offuture changes. We focus on interventions that can slow progression, inaddition to glasses or contact lenses, for children and teens at risk of highmyopia. Early intervention is key for slowing myopia progression duringchildren and protecting ocular health through adulthood.
Comparing MyopiaControl and Vision Correction
Vision correction and myopia control are not the same and both play essential roles in a child’s eyecare.
Visioncorrection helps yourchild see clearly in the moment. Glasses, contact lenses, or other correctiveoptions sharpen distance vision so your child can perform well at school, enjoysports, and navigate daily life comfortably.
Myopiacontrol, on the other hand, is about the long game. Its goal is to slow the progression of nearsightedness and reduce the risk of serious eye diseaseslater in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, or myopic maculopathy, allof which become more likely as myopia worsens.
Thetwo often go hand-in-hand. Most children receiving myopia control treatmentstill need vision correction, depending on the type of therapy used. That’s whythe most effective care plans are personalized, balancingclear vision today with long-term eye health, all guided by a qualified eyecare professional.
Safeguard YourChild’s Ocular Health
Withmyopia (nearsightedness) rising at an alarming rate worldwide, understandinghow to manage itsprogression is moreimportant than ever. Simply correcting vision is not enough, without activemyopia control, the condition may continue to worsen, increasing the risk oflong-term complications such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and irreversiblevision loss.
Ifyour child has recently been diagnosed with myopia, or if you're noticing earlysigns, now is the time to act. At the Weston ContactLens Institute, our experienced eyecare practitioners specialize inevidence-based myopia management. We’ll work with your family to develop apersonalized treatment plan that supports both clear vision today and lifelong eye health.
