Key Takeaways
- Myopia, or nearsightedness, makes far-away objects look blurry and often starts during childhood.
- Standard single-vision glasses correct blur, while myopia control lenses also send a slow-down signal to the growing eye.
- Lens options include Hoya MiYOSMART and Essilor Stellest glasses.
- Research points to roughly 50% slower progression, with results varying from child to child.
- A children’s eye exam can help you compare myopia control glasses, ortho-k, atropine drops, and MiSight contacts.
Why Parents Ask About Myopia Control
Your child squints at the whiteboard, slides their tablet closer to their nose, and rubs their eyes while doing homework. Plus, their prescription changes every year. Watching those numbers climb can leave you wondering how to slow things down.
Our team at Tutt Street Optometry can help. Myopia control glasses use specialty lenses with a clear centre zone to correct distance vision, while the edges of the glasses are designed to slow down myopia progression.
What Myopia Means for Your Child’s Eyes
Myopia is another name for nearsightedness. For people with myopia, close-up things remain clear, but distant objects like street signs, bus numbers, and the front of the classroom appear fuzzy. Myopia often develops in childhood and tends to progress as the eyes grow.
Genetics play a part, so myopia tends to run in families. Long stretches of close-up work, screen use, and lots of time indoors are also risk factors for children.
Signs to Watch For
Kids rarely complain about their vision. Instead, signs of myopia are usually reflected in children’s behaviour. Look for:
- Frequent squinting or rubbing of the eyes
- Sitting close to screens or moving to the front of the classroom
- Holding books right up to the face
Why Myopia Matters
Beyond the cost of ever-changing glasses prescriptions, myopia increases the risk of eye disease in the future. Having a moderate or high myopic prescription increases the chance of developing glaucoma, retinal detachment, macular disease, and more. The good news is that now there are ways to slow down the progression of nearsightedness.
How Myopia Control Glasses Slow Progression
Regular single-vision glasses do one job: they sharpen blurry distance vision.
Myopia control lenses do that same job, but they’re also designed to slow down the signals that cause myopia to progress. This is accomplished by changing the way that light focuses on the edges of the eye.
We offer both Hoya MiYOSMART and Essilor Stellest lenses.
Do Myopia Control Glasses Actually Work?
Yes, myopia control glasses are effective. For instance, MiYOSMART lenses have been shown to slow myopia by 60% compared to normal lenses.
In general, we recommend that children start myopia control as soon as the condition starts to develop.
What to Expect from Wear
Day to day, myopia control lenses work like ordinary glasses. Your child’s classmates won’t spot a difference, and neither will your child once the frames feel familiar. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Results vary from one child to the next, so progress is tracked over time.
- Full-time wear is necessary in order for the glasses to work properly.
- Follow-up visits let your eye doctor check how the prescription is holding up.
How an Eye Doctor in Kelowna Can Help
A children’s eye exam covers more than just their prescription. Your optometrist will also assess the health of their eyes and check that everything’s working as it should.
As far as myopia control goes, glasses aren’t the only possibility. We also offer Ortho-k lenses, atropine drops, and MiSight contact lenses as effective strategies. As your eye doctor in Kelowna, we can help you weigh your options.
Book Your Child’s Next Eye Exam
If your child is showing signs of myopia, our team at Tutt Street Optometry can walk you through your options. Book a children’s eye exam today, and bring your questions along.
