Myopia, or nearsightedness, often begins in childhood and can worsen year after year—a condition known as progressive myopia. Without proper care, progressive myopia can lead to serious eye health complications later in life.
At SIGHT, we offer myopia management in Farmington and West Hartford to help slow myopia progression in children and teens. With the right strategies, families can support clearer, healthier vision as their children grow.
What is progressive myopia?
Progressive myopia occurs when nearsightedness continues to worsen as a child gets older. Instead of stabilizing, the eye continues to elongate, increasing the prescription strength needed for clear vision. While eyeglasses and standard contact lenses can correct blurred vision, they don’t stop the eye from lengthening.
Long-term risks of progressive myopia
High myopia does more than just blur vision; it raises the risk of several serious eye conditions:
- Retinal detachment: The elongated shape of the eye stretches the retina, making it more likely to tear or detach.
- Glaucoma: People with high myopia are more likely to develop this disease that damages the optic nerve.
- Cataracts: Severe myopia can lead to cataracts forming at an earlier age.
- Myopic maculopathy: Degeneration of the central retina can cause permanent vision loss.
Scheduling consistent pediatric eye exams is one of the best ways to spot these risks early and protect your child’s eyesight.
How myopia management works
Myopia management focuses on slowing down the progression of nearsightedness, not just correcting vision. Some of the most effective approaches include:
- Ortho-k: Specially designed contact lenses worn overnight reshape the cornea temporarily, providing clear vision during the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses. Ortho-k has also been shown to slow myopia progression in children and adolescents.
- MiSight® 1 day contact lenses: These FDA-approved daily disposable lenses are designed specifically for children and have been proven to slow myopia progression in children ages 8-12. These child-friendly, daily contact lenses also correct blurry vision.
- Atropine eye drops: Low-dose atropine, prescribed by an eye doctor, has been shown to slow myopia in some children.
- Lifestyle changes: Encouraging more outdoor time and limiting long hours of near work, like tablet or phone use, can also help.
Is myopia management worth it?
Parents sometimes wonder if investing in myopia management is worthwhile compared to simply updating their child’s eyeglasses prescription. The answer is yes—because managing myopia isn’t just about clearer vision today, it’s about protecting long-term eye health.
Research shows that slowing myopia progression by just 1 diopter can reduce the risk of developing myopic maculopathy (a sight-threatening retinal disease) by 40%1. Children who undergo myopia management with options like ortho-k or MiSight® 1 day contact lenses often experience significantly slower progression compared to those who wear standard single-vision correction.
For example:
- Over the first three years of a clinical study, MiSight® 1 day lenses reduced myopia progression by 59% on average2.
- Ortho-k lenses have been shown to slow axial eye growth (the lengthening of the eyeball that drives myopia progression) by around half compared to standard contact lenses or glasses3.
By reducing myopia progression, these treatments help lower the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cataracts. Choosing myopia management helps safeguard your child’s eyesight today while reducing future risks to their eye health.
Helping your child manage myopia
Myopia management is a long-term commitment, but it can make a lasting difference in your child’s eye health. With options like ortho-k, specialized contact lenses, and regular monitoring through comprehensive eye exams, children can maintain clear vision while lowering their risks for future eye diseases. To learn more about myopia management, contact SIGHT today or request an appointment using our online form.
References:
- Bullimore, M. A., & Brennan, N. A. (2019). Myopia control: Why each diopter matters. Optometry and Vision Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000001367
- (n.d.). How Do MiSight® 1 Day Contact Lenses Work? CooperVision. Retrieved August 20, 2025, from https://www.misight.com/blog/how-do-misight-1-day-contact-lenses-work
- (n.d.). Ortho-k for myopia control. My Kids Vision. Retrieved August 20, 2025, from https://www.mykidsvision.org/knowledge-centre/ortho-k-for-myopia-control
