Myopia Control Therapy

Treatments options available to slow or stop progression of nearsightedness

What is Myopia Control Therapy?

Myopia Control Therapy is used to slow down the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children and adolescents between the ages of 6-18.  Therapy is recommended for children and adolescents whose nearsightedness worsens quickly.  The typical age when vision worsens quickly is between 8-12 years old, thus therapy is most effective when it is slowed down during these early years or earlier when myopia is just beginning.

Myopia control treatments:

1. Orthokeratology (ortho-k) – specialty lenses are worn overnight and gently correct the curvature of your child’s cornea while they sleep.
2. Atropine eye drops – a low-dose of atropine, typically given as eye drops at bedtime, can significantly slow the progression of myopia in children, preventing severe nearsightedness.
3. Extended depth of focus (Multifocal Contact Lenses) -are day time contact lenses and typically have circular zones of different prescriptions within the lens to give simultaneous focus of far-distance and close-up objects in the eye.
4. Eyezen (Multifocal) eyeglasses – allow children to clearly see far away objects through the top portion of the spectacle lens. The bottom portion of the lens contains the reading power, which may control myopia progression by reducing or eliminating the accommodating effort or error associated with myopia.  Because myopia usually worsens in children, they may need stronger glasses with heavier lenses year after year.

Myopia Control Therapy or Vision Reshaping Therapy can help slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children.

If interested in learning more about Myopia Control Therapy for your child, please call our office to set up a consultation appointment (908) 281-0800.

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REFERENCES:

1. All About Vision – What is Myopia Control?
2. Ortho-K vs Multifocal Lenses.
3. Controlling myopia progression in children and adolescents.