Myopia is a common refractive error. If left uncorrected, it can lead to ocular concerns like high myopia. Fortunately, several myopia control options, like MiSight contact lenses, help to slow myopia progression in children.
Before beginning myopia management with MiSight contacts, it is important to consider:
- The target demographic
- Benefits and functionality
- Their efficacy in slowing myopia progression
- Safety and comfort
- The level of optometric involvement
Understanding Myopia Management
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a growing concern among children worldwide.
In an eye with no refractive error, the shape is spherical. When light enters the eye through the lens, light is refracted directly on the retina, resulting in clear vision.
In an eye with myopia, the shape of the eye becomes elongated. When light enters the lens, it’s refracted just in front of the retina, resulting in blurry vision. This is why near objects appear clear while distant objects are blurry.
Myopia can lead to high myopia without proper management, which occurs at a prescription of 6.00 diopters or higher. High levels of myopia can result in blurry distance and near vision.
High myopia can lead to an increased risk of developing eye conditions and diseases later in life, including:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Myopic maculopathy
- Retinal detachment
- Retinal tears
Myopia cannot be cured, but it can be effectively managed to slow its progression. There are several therapy options, one of which includes MiSight contact lenses.
Our eyes continue growing, and our vision prescription doesn’t stabilize until around age 20. Myopia management uses eye growth to its advantage by slowing the rate at which the eye continues to elongate.
What Are Misight Contact Lenses
MiSight contact lenses are specifically designed to slow myopia progression in children aged 8-12 at the start of wear. These daily disposable lenses use innovative ActivControl Technology to help manage myopia while providing clear vision and comfort.
MiSight lenses have a unique dual-focus design that simultaneously corrects nearsightedness and helps slow myopia progression.
This dual-action approach helps reshape how light enters the eye, addressing both immediate vision correction and long-term eye health.
In addition to effectively slowing the rate of myopia in children, MiSight contact lenses have several benefits. They include:
- Efficacy: Clinical studies have shown that MiSight lenses can reduce myopia progression by up to 59% compared to single-vision lenses.
- Convenience: As daily disposables, MiSight lenses offer a hassle-free option that does not require cleaning or maintenance.
- Comfort: These lenses are designed for superior comfort, allowing children to easily wear them all day.
- Safety: MiSight lenses provide a safe myopia management solution under the supervision of an eye care professional.
- Confidence: Improved vision can boost your child’s confidence and participation in daily activities, from schoolwork to sports.
Things To Consider
Before opting for MiSight contact lenses, here are 5 things to consider about this method of myopia management.
Target Demographic
MiSight contact lenses are specifically designed to slow the progression of myopia in children. They are intended for use in kids aged 8 to 12 at the start of wear.
However, it is always better late than never. While these contacts are designed for children to begin wearing at ages 8 to 12, older children, between 11 and 15 years old, can still retain the benefits of slowing myopia progression.
Benefits And Functionality
MiSight contact lenses are just like daily disposable lenses with added lens technology to help slow myopia progression. Children are often safe to handle and use contact lenses as long as they follow the proper guidance given to them by their optometrist.
A new contact lens is used daily and discarded at the end of the day, requiring less maintenance and care than reusable lenses.
There are several benefits to daily disposable contacts. One is that they reduce the risk of eye irritation and infection that may be associated with long-term wear and poor contact lens use.
Daily disposables can be more comfortable for children, as they are less likely to accumulate debris from continuous wear and remain fresh throughout the day.
MiSight lenses are compatible with children who are new to wearing contact lenses. Before the initial fitting for these specialized contact lenses, we will provide your child with adequate training for proper contact lens wear, use, and care.
These lenses use a dual-focus design. This corrects vision while also creating peripheral defocus, helping to reduce the elongation of the eye associated with myopia progression.
How Effective Are They In Slowing Myopia Progression
Clinical trials have shown that children wearing MiSight lenses experience a significant reduction, by 59%, in myopia progression compared to those wearing standard single-vision lenses.
Slowing myopia progression can reduce the risk of developing severe myopia later in life, which is associated with an increased risk of ocular conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Safety And Comfort
In addition to the safety and comfort provided by being soft, daily disposable contacts, these lenses are FDA-approved for myopia control, meaning they meet rigorous safety and efficacy standards.
While children generally adapt well to wearing daily contact lenses, parental supervision is often recommended for proper handling and hygiene practices.
Optometric Involvement
The journey with MiSight contact lenses for myopia management is continuous. After the initial contact lens training and fitting, it’s advised and recommended your child attend regular follow-up visits to monitor and assess your child’s eye health and myopia progression.
Your optometrist will best determine the frequency of these visits. However, some factors they may consider include:
- Starting age
- Rate of myopia progression
- Myopia stabilization
- Parental involvement
Consistency is key. For optimal results, be proactive in your child’s myopia management journey. Support your child by making sure they wear their contact lenses as prescribed to achieve successful results.
Schedule A Consult
Vision technology has advanced to help prevent the progression of myopia in children. MiSight contact lenses are one of several options for myopia control.
Connect with our team at Dr. Jennifer L. Shane & Associates for a consultation and to learn about the most suitable option for myopia management.
