What Are Some Myopia Control Strategies?

Myopia is a growing concern among children today. It occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing distant objects to appear blurry. While glasses or contact lenses can correct vision, they don’t stop myopia from progressing. Fortunately, advanced eye care now offers several myopia control strategies to help slow down the progression of this condition and protect your child’s long-term vision.
 

What Is Myopia Control?

If left untreated, myopia can worsen as your child grows, increasing their risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Myopia control refers to a range of specialized treatments and techniques designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. Instead of just correcting blurry vision, these treatments address the underlying growth of the eye to reduce long-term risks and preserve healthy sight. Regular pediatric eye exams in Reno are essential to monitor vision changes and implement effective early treatment.
 

Advanced Myopia Management Treatments

Downtown Vision, your trusted eye doctor in Northern Nevada, offers several FDA-approved and evidence-based treatments designed to slow myopia progression.

• Ortho-K (Orthokeratology): Ortho-K lenses, affectionately known as overnight contact lenses, are specially designed for overnight wear. As your child sleeps, these lenses gently reshape the cornea, allowing them to see clearly during the day without glasses or contacts. Beyond convenience, Ortho-K helps slow eye growth and reduce myopia progression over time.

• MiSight® Contact Lenses: MiSight® lenses are the first soft contact lenses approved by the FDA to slow the progression of myopia in children. These daily disposable lenses provide clear vision while actively helping to manage myopia’s development.

• Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops have shown excellent results in controlling myopia in children. They are applied nightly and work by relaxing the eye’s focusing mechanism, helping slow the elongation of the eyeball.
 

Stellest™ Eyeglass Lenses Now FDA Approved

The newest addition to advanced myopia management, Stellest™ lenses are now FDA-approved and provide an exciting option for children who prefer glasses. These innovative lenses contain specially designed optical segments that create a gentle “signal” on the retina to slow eye growth, effectively managing myopia progression.

In clinical studies, Stellest™ lenses, when worn consistently, have been shown to reduce the rate of myopia progression significantly. In addition to helping reduce eye strain and fatigue, the lenses deliver sharp, comfortable vision, making them a practical and effective choice for everyday wear.
 

Lifestyle Changes That Support Myopia Control

In addition to professional treatments, simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference:

• Encourage outdoor playtime for at least two hours a day.

• Limit excessive screen time and close-up activities.

• Maintain regular sleep schedules and proper reading posture.
 

Discover the Best Myopia Control Options at Downtown Vision

Early intervention is key to protecting your child’s vision and preventing myopia from worsening. With today’s advanced treatment options like Ortho-K, MiSight, atropine eye drops, and Stellest lenses, managing myopia is more effective than ever.

Schedule a pediatric eye exam at Downtown Vision to discuss personalized myopia control strategies for your child. Please call our Reno office at (775) 322-4061 or our Carson City office at  (775) 883-3977 to book an appointment today.