Slow the Progression of Nearsightedness. Protect Their Future Vision.
Is your child’s glasses prescription getting stronger every year? If so, it may be time to consider myopia management.
At North Texas Eye Clinic, we offer a comprehensive myopia management program designed to help slow the progression of nearsightedness in children and teenagers.
Rather than simply prescribing stronger glasses each year, our goal is to address how myopia progresses and help reduce the risk of developing high levels of nearsightedness later in life.
Led by Dr. Toan Tran, our clinic offers personalized treatment options including specialty myopia-control glasses, soft contact lenses, orthokeratology (Ortho-K), and low-dose atropine eye drops.
Our goal is simple: Help your child see clearly today while protecting their vision for tomorrow.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition that causes distant objects to appear blurry while nearby objects remain relatively clear.
Myopia often develops during childhood as the eyes grow. In many cases, the eyeball becomes longer than normal, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it.
Children with myopia may have difficulty seeing the classroom board, recognizing objects from a distance, or participating comfortably in certain sports and activities.
Myopia frequently progresses throughout childhood and the teenage years, meaning your child’s prescription may become stronger as they grow.
Why Is Myopia Management Important?
Myopia is more than just needing glasses.
As nearsightedness increases, especially when it reaches high levels, the risk of developing certain eye conditions later in life also increases. These conditions include:
- Retinal Detachment: A serious condition in which the retina separates from the back of the eye.
- Myopic Macular Degeneration: Damage to the central retina associated with excessive eye elongation.
- Glaucoma: A group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve and cause permanent vision loss.
- Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which may develop earlier in individuals with higher myopia.
Although conventional glasses and contact lenses correct blurry vision, they generally do not slow the underlying progression of myopia.
Myopia management treatments are designed to slow this progression while your child’s eyes are still developing.
Starting appropriate treatment early may help reduce how nearsighted your child becomes as an adult.
Our Myopia Management Treatment Options
At North Texas Eye Clinic, we understand that every child is different. That’s why we offer several treatment options based on your child’s age, prescription, eye health, lifestyle, and individual needs.
1. Specialty Myopia-Control Glasses
An easy, noninvasive treatment option for children who prefer glasses.
Unlike traditional single-vision eyeglasses, specialty myopia-control lenses are designed to provide clear vision while using advanced optical technology to help slow the progression of nearsightedness.
These lenses incorporate specialized optical zones that change how light focuses on the retina, helping influence the signals involved in eye growth.
Options include FDA-authorized Essilor Stellest lenses, which are designed specifically for childhood myopia management.
Specialty myopia-control glasses can be an excellent option for younger children or those who are not ready to wear contact lenses.
2. Myopia-Control Soft Contact Lenses
Clear vision and myopia management in one convenient lens.
Specialized soft contact lenses can help children see clearly while slowing the progression of nearsightedness.
Unlike traditional contact lenses, these lenses use specially designed optical zones that help regulate how light focuses on the retina.
Treatment options include:
- MiSight 1 day Contact Lenses: FDA-approved daily disposable contact lenses designed to slow myopia progression in eligible children.
- Specialty Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses: Certain multifocal lens designs may also be used for myopia management when clinically appropriate.
These options are particularly appealing to children who play sports, participate in outdoor activities, or prefer not to wear glasses.
Our team provides personalized fittings, contact lens training, and ongoing monitoring to support safe and successful contact lens wear.
3. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Wear Contact Lenses While You Sleep. Enjoy Clearer Vision During the Day.
Orthokeratology, commonly called Ortho-K, is a nonsurgical treatment that uses specially designed rigid contact lenses worn overnight.
While your child sleeps, the lenses gently and temporarily reshape the surface of the cornea. After removing the lenses in the morning, many patients can enjoy clear vision throughout the day without needing glasses or daytime contact lenses.
In addition to correcting vision, Ortho-K has been shown to help slow the progression of myopia in many children.
Benefits may include:
- Freedom from glasses and daytime contact lenses.
- Convenience for sports and active lifestyles.
- A nonsurgical and reversible method of vision correction.
- The potential to slow myopia progression.
Ortho-K requires specialized fitting, proper lens hygiene, and regular follow-up examinations. Because the lenses are worn during sleep, careful handling and cleaning are especially important to minimize the risk of eye infections.
4. Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
A Simple Prescription Eye Drop That May Help Slow Myopia Progression.
Low-dose atropine is another treatment option for children with progressive myopia.
Atropine eye drops are typically prescribed for use once daily, often at bedtime. Research has shown that certain low-dose concentrations can help slow the progression of nearsightedness in children.
Low-dose atropine does not correct blurry vision, so children typically continue to wear their regular glasses or contact lenses.
Possible side effects include temporary light sensitivity, enlarged pupils, or difficulty focusing up close.
Atropine treatment for myopia control is currently prescribed off-label in the United States. Dr. Tran will discuss the potential benefits, limitations, and risks before recommending treatment.
5. Combination Myopia Management
Some children may benefit from using more than one treatment approach, particularly when myopia continues to progress despite initial treatment.
For selected patients, combining treatments such as Ortho-K or specialty optical lenses with low-dose atropine may offer additional benefits.
Our approach is personalized, and treatment recommendations are based on your child’s response, eye health, and individual risk factors.
What Happens During a Myopia Management Evaluation?
Your child’s first myopia management visit includes a detailed assessment to help us understand their current vision and risk for future progression.
Depending on your child’s needs, the evaluation may include:
- Medical & Family History: Reviewing your child’s vision history, previous prescriptions, and family history of nearsightedness.
- Comprehensive Vision Evaluation: Measuring visual acuity, prescription, focusing ability, and eye coordination.
- Eye Health Examination: Checking the overall health of the eyes.
- Corneal Measurements & Topography: Specialized measurements used when evaluating candidates for treatments such as Ortho-K.
- Axial Length Measurement: When available and clinically indicated, measuring the length of the eye to help monitor growth and myopia progression.
- Progression Risk Assessment: Evaluating age, prescription changes, lifestyle, and other factors.
- Personalized Treatment Consultation: Discussing the available options and developing an appropriate management plan.
Our goal is to help parents understand their child’s condition and make informed decisions about treatment.
Ongoing Monitoring & Follow-Up Care
Myopia management is an ongoing process rather than a one-time treatment.
As your child grows, regular follow-up appointments allow us to assess treatment effectiveness and determine whether adjustments are necessary.
Many patients are monitored approximately every three to six months, depending on their treatment and rate of progression.
During follow-up visits, we may evaluate prescription changes, eye growth, treatment effectiveness, contact lens fit, and overall eye health.
Our goal is to keep your child’s myopia progression as low as reasonably possible throughout their growing years.
While no treatment can guarantee that myopia will stop progressing, consistent monitoring helps us make appropriate adjustments over time.
Healthy Habits That Support Myopia Management
Along with professional treatment, certain daily habits may help support healthy visual development.
We encourage families to:
- Spend Time Outdoors: Encourage regular outdoor play and activities, ideally around one to two hours daily when practical, with appropriate sun protection.
- Take Breaks From Near Work: Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something approximately 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Maintain a Comfortable Reading Distance: Avoid holding books, tablets, and phones excessively close to the eyes.
- Schedule Regular Eye Exams: Monitor vision changes even when your child doesn’t complain of blurry vision.
These habits support healthy vision but should not replace professional myopia management when treatment is indicated.
Frequently Asked Questions
At What Age Should My Child Start Myopia Management?
Myopia often begins during elementary school and may continue progressing through the teenage years.
Treatment can be considered when myopia is diagnosed, particularly in younger children or those showing rapid progression. The appropriate starting age depends on the treatment selected and your child’s individual needs.
The earlier progressive myopia is identified, the more opportunity we may have to slow its development.
Can Myopia Be Reversed or Cured?
Currently, there is no established cure for childhood myopia.
Traditional glasses and contact lenses correct blurry vision, while myopia management treatments aim to slow further progression.
Ortho-K can temporarily correct nearsightedness by reshaping the cornea, but the effect is reversible and does not permanently eliminate myopia.
Is My Child Too Young for Contact Lenses?
Not necessarily!
Many children can successfully wear contact lenses when they demonstrate the maturity and responsibility needed for proper handling and hygiene.
We evaluate each child individually and provide hands-on instruction for safe contact lens use.
For younger children who are not ready for contact lenses, specialty myopia-control glasses may be an excellent alternative.
How Long Will My Child Need Treatment?
Myopia management often continues throughout the years when a child’s prescription is changing.
Some children may benefit from several years of treatment, with adjustments made as their eyes