Myopia is growing faster than ever before, especially in children. The right contact lens can do more than just correct your child’s vision. It can also slow down how fast myopia gets worse over time.
Myopia control contact lenses are specially designed for this purpose. They work differently from regular lenses that only fix blurry vision. Michigan Contact Lens fits patients with the best myopia control lenses available.
What Is Myopia and Why Does It Progress?
Myopia happens when the eyeball grows too long from front to back. This causes light to land in front of the retina instead of on it. The result is a clear close-up vision but blurry distance sight.
Myopia often starts in childhood and worsens as the child grows. Each year, the eye can grow longer, making the prescription stronger. Without intervention, this cycle continues through the teenage years.
High myopia raises the lifetime risk of serious eye diseases. These include retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Slowing progression now protects your child’s vision for decades ahead.
How Do Myopia Control Contact Lenses Work?
Standard lenses correct how you see today but do nothing to stop progression. Myopia control lenses use advanced optical designs to slow eye growth. They send signals to the eye that reduce the stimulus to keep elongating.
Each lens type achieves this in a slightly different way. Some use peripheral defocus zones built into the lens design. Others reshape the cornea while the child sleeps to create the same effect.
The result across all types is the same: slower myopia progression. Studies show these lenses reduce progression by an average of 50 to 59%. Starting early and staying consistent gives the best long-term results.
Types of Myopia Control Contact Lenses
Several types of contact lenses can help slow the progression of myopia in children. Each option works differently, and the best choice depends on your child’s age, prescription, and lifestyle.
MySight Myopia Control Contact Lenses
MiSight lenses are the first FDA-approved lenses for myopia control in children. They are soft daily disposable lenses worn during the day and thrown away at night. No cleaning solution is needed, making them simple for kids to use.
MiSight uses a dual-focus design with alternating correction and treatment zones. The correction zones give clear vision while the treatment zones slow eye growth. Clinical trials show they reduce myopia progression by up to 59%.
These lenses are ideal for children aged 8 and older. They are comfortable, safe, and easy to get used to from the first day. Parents love that a fresh pair is used every day with no maintenance needed.
Orthokeratology Contact Lenses Refractive Errors Myopia Control
Ortho-K lenses are gas-permeable lenses worn only at night during sleep. They gently reshape the cornea overnight so vision is clear the next day. Your child wakes up and sees clearly without glasses or daytime lenses.
This makes Ortho-K perfect for active children who play sports or swim. There are no lenses to worry about losing, breaking, or irritating the eye. Freedom from daytime correction is one of the biggest appeals for families.
Orthokeratology myopia control contact lenses also slow the elongation of the eye that drives myopia forward. It creates peripheral defocus that tells the eye to stop growing longer. Research shows strong results in slowing myopia progression in children.
Multifocal Contact Lenses for Myopia Control
Multifocal lenses have different power zones within a single lens. The center zone corrects distance vision for clear everyday sight. The outer zones reduce the peripheral signal that drives eye growth.
These lenses are worn during the day like standard contact lenses. They are a good option for older children and teenagers with myopia. Fitting requires care and precision to get the zones in the right position.
Multifocal lenses have been shown to slow myopia by around 50%. They are a trusted tool in the myopia management toolkit worldwide. Your doctor will check if this design suits your child’s prescription and lifestyle.
Dual Focus Lenses
Dual-focus lenses use two distinct zones to correct and control myopia. The center zone corrects current vision so your child sees clearly. The surrounding zone creates peripheral blur that slows eye elongation.
These lenses are worn during the day and removed at night. They feel similar to regular soft lenses and are easy to adapt to. Dual focus designs are one of the most studied myopia control options available.
Benefits of Myopia Control Contact Lenses
Myopia control contact lenses do more than improve vision. They can help slow the progression of nearsightedness and support long-term eye health. Here are some of the key benefits these lenses provide.
Slower Myopia Progression
These lenses actively work to reduce how fast myopia gets worse. Children who use them consistently need fewer prescription changes over time. The final level of myopia at adulthood is often significantly lower.
Lower Risk of Eye Disease
High myopia raises the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and more. By keeping myopia lower, these lenses reduce the chance of these conditions. This is one of the most important long-term benefits for your child’s health.
Better Quality of Life
Clear vision boosts confidence at school, in sports, and with friends. Children can take part fully in activities without struggling to see. Less reliance on strong glasses makes daily life easier and more comfortable.
Freedom from Glasses
Options like Ortho-K give children daytime freedom from any correction. This is especially valued during sports, swimming, and outdoor activities. Children feel more confident and unrestricted in how they move and play.
Boosted Self-Confidence
Many children feel self-conscious wearing glasses full time. Contact lenses give them a natural look without visible eyewear. This often leads to greater confidence in social and school settings.
The Myopia Control Contact Lens Fitting Process
The fitting process begins with a full eye exam. Your doctor checks your child’s current prescription and eye health. They also measure axial length to track how much the eye has grown.
Corneal topography maps the shape of the eye in detail. This helps determine which lens type fits the cornea best. It is especially important for Ortho-K and specialty lens fittings.
Your doctor then recommends the most suitable lens type. They explain how each option works and what results to expect. A trial period lets your child test the lenses before committing.
Follow-up visits are scheduled every three to six months. Your doctor checks progression, comfort, and lens fit at each visit. The plan is updated based on how your child’s eyes respond.
Care for Myopia Control Lenses
Daily Disposables (MiSight)
Use a fresh pair every morning and throw them away each night. No cleaning or storage is needed, making them the easiest to manage. Always wash hands before handling any contact lens.
Ortho-K Lenses
Clean lenses every morning after removal using the solution your doctor recommends. Store them in a clean case with fresh solution during the day. Never use tap water to clean or rinse Ortho-K lenses.
Multifocal and Dual Focus Lenses
Clean lenses each night using a preservative-free multipurpose solution. Replace lenses on the schedule your doctor sets, usually monthly. Always replace the lens case regularly to prevent bacteria buildup.
Michigan Contact Lens 17000 West 10 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075 Phone: 248-545-2800 | Hours: Mon – Fri, 9 AM – 4 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
What are myopia control contact lenses?
They are specialty lenses designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness. They correct current vision while also working to reduce eye elongation. They are prescribed specifically for children and teenagers with progressing myopia
How do myopia control lenses differ from regular contacts?
Regular contacts only correct how you see at the moment. Myopia control lenses use special optical zones to slow eye growth, too. This dual purpose makes them far more effective for long-term eye health.
At what age can children start wearing them?
Most children can start as young as age 6 to 8. MiSight is FDA-approved for children starting at age 8. Ortho-K can often be started even earlier, depending on the child.
How effective are myopia control lenses?
Studies show they slow myopia progression by 50 to 59% on average. Results vary depending on the lens type, age, and consistency of wear. The earlier treatment starts, the greater the long-term benefit.
Are myopia control lenses safe for children?
Yes, all approved types are safe when properly fitted and cared for. Your doctor will monitor your child closely at every follow-up visit. Any concerns are addressed quickly to keep your child’s eyes healthy.
How long does my child need to wear them?
Most children wear myopia control lenses until their prescription stabilizes. This usually happens in the late teens or early twenties. Your doctor will guide you on when it is safe to transition.
Can myopia control lenses replace glasses?
Options like Ortho-K provide clear daytime vision with no glasses needed. Other types correct vision during wear but do not replace glasses entirely. Your doctor will help you choose the option that fits your child’s lifestyle best.
Do myopia control lenses feel different from regular contacts?
Most children adjust quickly and do not notice a difference in comfort. MiSight and multifocal lenses feel very similar to standard soft lenses. Ortho-K lenses are only worn at night, so daytime comfort is not an issue.
