Myopia is much more common than most people think. It’s also a progressive condition; as your child grows and their eyes adjust, myopia often worsens. This is one reason why myopia control is so essential—by taking steps to reduce how much their vision worsens, you can give your child the gift of clearer vision in the future.
MiSight lenses are an excellent approach to myopia control. These specialty daily disposable contact lenses have innovative technology built into them. They can reduce myopia progression by almost 60%, making them an incredible way to prevent severe or high myopia in the future. And the best part? They only cost a little more than regular daily disposable lenses, making them a convenient and effective solution to myopia control.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia, commonly called nearsightedness, affects more than 40% of the US population. This condition causes the eye to grow too long or the cornea to grow too steep. Because the eye now has an unusual shape, light can’t focus where it needs to; instead, it refracts incorrectly inside the eye.
This can lead to:
- Blurry vision
- Eye strain
- Headaches
- Squinting
- Difficulty seeing in the distance
Genetics and family history play a significant role in whether or not a person is likely to develop myopia. If a parent has this condition, a child is significantly more likely to develop myopia as well. It’s also believed there’s a link between spending time indoors and myopia progression; children who regularly spend more than 1 hour a day outside tend to have lower rates of myopia due to exposure to natural sunlight.
What Is Myopia Control?
Myopia is a big problem. While most people associate this condition with needing glasses or contacts, it can cause more problems than most expect. It’s a progressive condition that usually occurs when a child enters school and worsens over the following years until early adulthood.
During this time, a child’s eyes continue elongating. Vision often gets worse, leading to a need for stronger and stronger prescriptions. Then, around 18-22 or so, their eyes typically stabilize. While this sounds like good news, remember that the eye has now stretched longer than it is wide.
In extreme cases, this can cause structural abnormalities in the eye. Severe, or high, myopia can lead to:
- Retinal detachment
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Retinal damage
This is why myopia control is so important. It is a careful approach that helps slow the eye’s elongation. Myopia control is about so much more than just preserving vision in the coming years—it lowers the risk of significant health and eye problems in your child’s future.
One such method of myopia control is simple: MiSight contact lenses.
What Is MiSight?
MiSight lenses, specially designed by CooperVision, are soft contact lenses that control myopia efficiently and effectively.
Think of a bullseye, like one used at a targeting range. MiSight lenses have something like this built into the lenses; some concentric rings gradually spread out from the center. These rings all have individual prescriptions designed to alter how light enters your child’s eye.
The central zone is designed to provide clear vision at a distance, with the other rings redirecting light to refract differently into the eye. This unique design causes a “periphery defocus,” where the peripheral light rays don’t reach the retina as rapidly. This slows how far the eye elongates and can reduce myopia progression by almost 60%.
The Benefits of MiSight Lenses
MiSight lenses are a convenient option for myopia control. They offer plenty of benefits, including:
- They’re a non-invasive approach to myopia control.
- They’re more comfortable than some other lenses.
- They’re daily disposable lenses, so your child doesn’t need to worry about sterilizing them every night.
- They provide independence from glasses while worn.
When you combine these benefits with the ability to lower the risk of the long-term effects of severe myopia, MiSight stands out as an incredible option. While these lenses cost a little more than regular daily disposable contact lenses, the long-term benefits greatly outweigh the cost. This makes them a cost-efficient approach to myopia control to preserve your child’s vision.
MiSight for Myopia Control
If you have a child experiencing blurry vision, headaches, or any other vision problem, contact our team at Tree City Eyecare. We’re here to discuss myopia control options to help give your child clear vision and a lower risk of long-term problems. Book an appointment with our team, and let’s work together to give your child the tools they need to succeed!