Are you concerned that your child is getting more and more nearsighted every year?  Are you really nearsighted and don’t want that for your child?

There are now special contact lenses or prescription eye drops that have been shown to slow the progression of myopia considerably!*

High myopia increases your risk of retinal detachments or tears, glaucoma and other retinal problems.

Pediatric Myopia Control FAQ

What is myopia?

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a common refractive error of the eye.  Most myopia occurs when the eye is too long.  When you are nearsighted, your distance vision is blurry but close objects may be clear.

Is my child a candidate for myopia control contacts?

Your child may be a candidate if

• they are willing to insert and remove contacts (usually age 7 or older), taking them out every night and cleaning them
• they are nearsighted and have signs of progression or strong family history of nearsightedness
• they do not have too much astigmatism

How do myopia control contacts work?

The lenses are designed with alternating zones to correct central distance refractive error and provide a peripheral myopic treatment zone.  It is currently thought that the defocus of the peripheral retina may be causing the progression of nearsightedness. Current studies have shown these lenses may slow the progression by up to 50%.**

1.  What are the risks with myopia control contacts?

The primary risks are those of any other soft contact lens, infection, irritation and corneal ulcers.  It is very important that your child never sleep or swim in the lenses and clean them properly every night.

2.  How do the prescription eye drops work?

Studies show that a very low dose of atropine (.01%) may slow the progression of nearsightedness by up to fifty percent.***  This very diluted eye drop must be compounded but has lower risk of side effects such as dilation of the eyes.

3. Are there alternative treatments?

Alternative treatments include orthokeratology contacts.  These are special contacts that you sleep in at night and take out in the morning.  They work well for low levels of nearsightedness without much astigmatism.  Dr. Doss does not fit these lenses but can help you find a provider if you are a good candidate.

Call 205-949-2020 schedule an eye exam or a contact lens consultation with Dr. Rebecca Doss.

*Anstice NS, Phillips JR. Effect of dual-focus contact lens wear on axial myopia progression in children.  Ophthalmology. 2011 Jun; 118(6):1152-61.

**Walline JJ, Jones LA, Sinott L, et al. A randomized trial of the effect of soft contact lenses on myopia progression in children.  Invest Ophthamol Vis Sci. 2008 Nov;(11):4702-6

***Chia A, Qing-Shu L, Tam, D.  Five-year clinical trial on atropine fore the treatment of myopia 2. Ophthalmology. 2016; ul;

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