What Is Myopia Management for Kids? A Parent's Guide
If your child's glasses prescription gets stronger every year, myopia management might be the most important conversation you haven't had with your eye doctor yet.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia — commonly called nearsightedness — is a refractive condition in which the eye grows too long, making distant objects blurry while near vision remains clear. It's diagnosed when a child can't see the board at school clearly without glasses.
Why Is Myopia a Growing Concern?
Myopia rates have doubled in the last 30 years and are expected to affect 50% of the world's population by 2050. Children are developing myopia younger — often starting between ages 6 and 12 — and progressing faster, largely due to increased near work and reduced outdoor time.
High myopia (prescription over -6.00D) dramatically increases the lifetime risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic macular degeneration — conditions that can cause permanent vision loss.
What Is Myopia Management?
Myopia management uses evidence-based treatments to slow the rate at which the eye elongates — the physical process that drives myopia progression. Unlike standard glasses (which only correct blurry vision), myopia management therapies actively work to slow the worsening of your child's prescription.
Myopia Management Options
Stellest Lenses
Worn like regular eyeglasses. H.A.L.T. technology creates a therapeutic defocus signal that slows eye elongation. Clinical trials show 67% reduction in progression on average. No special care required.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Worn overnight to reshape the cornea temporarily. Provides glasses-free daytime vision and slows myopia through corneal reshaping. Excellent option for active children.
Low-Dose Atropine
Eye drops used nightly (very low doses). Strong evidence for slowing progression with minimal side effects. Often combined with other treatments.
Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses
FDA-cleared soft daily disposable lenses — including MiSight and NaturalVue — worn during the day. Their dual-focus or extended depth-of-focus design creates peripheral defocus that slows eye elongation. MiSight is specifically FDA-cleared for myopia control in children ages 8–12.
When Should Myopia Management Start?
The earlier, the better. We recommend a myopia management consultation when your child is first diagnosed with myopia — typically between ages 6 and 12. Younger children tend to progress faster, so early intervention has the greatest cumulative benefit.
Is Your Child a Candidate for Myopia Management?
Book a myopia consultation at Mill Creek Family Eye Center. We serve Mill Creek, Bothell, and the surrounding area.
Book a Myopia ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
What is myopia management?
Myopia management uses evidence-based treatments — including Stellest lenses, orthokeratology, and atropine drops — to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children, reducing their risk of high myopia and related eye disease as adults.
Does myopia management work?
Yes. Multiple large clinical trials show that myopia management treatments can slow myopia progression by 50–67% compared to standard glasses. The earlier treatment begins, the greater the benefit.
Is myopia management available in Mill Creek, WA?
Yes. Mill Creek Family Eye Center offers myopia management including Stellest lens therapy, orthokeratology, and atropine treatment. Contact us to book a myopia consultation.