Myopia Control
For Children
Myopia, or near-sightedness, is a vision condition in which, without any vision correction, near objects are seen clearly, but distant objects are out of focus.
Myopia Treatments
Explore some of the myopia treatments below that are available at our office! We use Hoya's MiYOSMART lenses, Zeiss's MyoCare lenses, and Cooperivison's MiSight contact lenses.
MiYOSMART
by HOYA
Why
MiYOSMART?
MiYOSMART is an innovative spectacle lens from Hoya to manage myopia in children that is safe, easy to use, effective, and non-invasive. More information below!
Unique, innovative solution for controlling myopia.
Beyond correcting myopic refractive error, a two year clinical trial shows that MiYOSMART lenses with D.I.M.S. (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) technology works with slowing down myopia progression, on average, by 60% and halts myopia progression by 21.5%. This goes a long way towards protecting your child’s vision and wellbeing in the long-term. This spectacle lens based on revolutionary Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.) Technology was developed in cooperation with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2014. MiYOSMART is easy to fit, just like regular single vision lens. There are no limitations for the frame choice.
Child-friendly, easy to adapt, non-invasive and appreciated by parents.
Hoya know's that children are active and always on the go. That’s why they use a highly impact-resistant, yet thin and light material – to offer young eyes the protection they need, at all times. Designed to fit a child's active lifestyle. MiYOSMART comes with an easy-to-wipe special anti-reflective, durable coating. With its Eye Shield, young patients get the added assurance of an impact resistant material and UV protection.
Clinically proven effectiveness in slowing down myopia progression.
With the exclusive, non-invasive D.I.M.S. Technology, the lens corrects the visual defect on its entire surface and has a ring shaped treatment area to slow down myopia progression. The alternation of the focus area and defocus area provides clear vision and manages myopia simultaneously. Hoya carried out multiple clinical studies that provide high-quality evidence. Visit Hoya's MiYOSMART page to see referenced studies.
Award Winning.
In 2018, the MiYOSMART lens won the Gold Prize, Grand Award & Special Gold Award International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Switzerland. In 2020, it won the Silmo d’Or Award in the Vision category at the Silmo Paris Optical Fair.
Visit Hoya's MiYOSMART Evidences page for linked studies.
MiSight 1 Day
by Coopervision
Why MiSight?
MiSight is a child-friendly, daily, disposable contact lenses from Coopervison, proven to slow the progression of nearsightedness in age-appropriate children.
Visit the CAO Eye Library for more information about contact lens wear for children.
MiSight 1 Day Features
~MiSight 1 day covers nearly 100% of spherical prescriptions for age-appropriate children with myopia ~Easy to fit, single use lens ~Corrects refractive error and slows the elongation of the eye through ActivControl Technology ~Suitable for age-appropriate children The MiSight 1 day lens is clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia in age-appropriate children. The efficacy of MiSight 1 day was validated in a multi-year clinical study that enrolled children between 8 and 12 years old. The MiSight 1 day clinical study is the longest continuous soft contact lens study for myopia management.
How MiSight 1 Day Works
MiSight 1 day with ActivControl Technology helps slow the elongation of the eye and reduces myopia progression, while fully correcting refractive error. Addressing axial elongation helps to reduce the risk of myopia-related vision complications later in life, including irreversible vision loss. ~Two treatment zones create myopic defocus with image focus in front of the retina, rather than behind it to slow axial elongation ~Two correction zones correct myopia in all gaze positions
Visit Coopervision's MiSight 1 Day page for linked studies.
MyoCare
by Zeiss
Why MyoCare?
MyoCare is the latest myopia management innovation from Zeiss, incorporating scientific concepts from proven research, evidence-based learnings and effective treatments. Effective myopia management in children with good, comfortable vision for all viewing angles and full UV protection.
One pair, two jobs. Multi-tasking mastered.
Standard single vision glasses and contact lenses commonly correct shortsightedness – BUT they don’t address its progression. Progressive myopia calls for specialized visual aids to correct distance vision AND control the further deterioration of a child’s eyesight. Based on over a decade of ZEISS research and development in the field of myopia management, our multi-tasking myopia glasses are designed to give kids clear, comfortable vision and slow the progression of myopia at the same time.
A new lens design.
An effective myopia mangement lens must overcome certain design challenges and strike the optimum balance between myopia progression management and good vision. To achieve this, we have included the following in our ZEISS Myopia Management solutions: ~A central zone small enough to establish an effective functional zone projecting myopic defocus on the near periphery close to the fovea ~A mean addition surface power to induce the intended relative myopic defocus ~A carefully selected fill factor to deliver high efficacy while preserving good wearability
Addressing the constant movement of the eyes.
Eyeglass lenses have to take into account the moving eye behind the lens to ensure that the intended correction and myopic defocus are maintained for all gaze angles. With the ZEISS ClearFocus design, both the optimal refractive correction according to the patient’s refractive requirements and the intended myopic defocus are maintained for all gaze directions. This is important not only for distinct viewing behavior through the central clear zone when pursuing a focused task, but also for unintended gazes and saccades to the lens periphery. Besides this, the ZEISS ClearFocus design effectively minimizes the induction of hyperopic defocus as opposed to typical spherical single vision lenses.
Zeiss C.A.R.E. technology and ClearFocus design.
C.A.R.E. technology (Cylindrical Annular Refractive Elements) uses alternating defocus and correction zones in a ring-like pattern on the front surface, expanding towards the periphery of the lens. These microstructures deliver a “stop signal” to slow the progression of axial elongation. The ClearFocus design is aimed at removing the growth signal, the optimized back surface minimizes hyperopic defocus in the periphery of the lens. Both the refractive correction as well as the patient’s intended myopic defocus are maintained for all gaze directions. This technology supports the effectivity and wearability of ZEISS MyoCare lenses. Visit ZEISS's MyoCare page for more information.
How is myopia diagnosed?
Routine eye examinations are the best way to diagnose myopia. During the exam, your Optometrist will perform tests to determine if there is a prescription for myopia. People with myopia will have trouble seeing distant objects, such as the road sign, whiteboard, movie screen and TV. However, children may not report symptoms of blur because their vision is all they have known and assume everyone sees the way they see. The Optometrist relies heavily on their clinical skills and performs investigative work to make the connection between signs and symptoms. Routine eye exams are crucial for the early detection and management of myopia, as some children rapidly progress towards a higher prescription. Over 80% of learning is visual and if a child is not seeing properly it can drastically delay development both in school and socially.
Why does myopia occur?
When the eyeball is too long or if the front of the eye (cornea) is too curved, light entering the eye is not focused properly onto the back of the eye (retina). The retina is the sensory layer of the eye that relays light as neural signals to the brain which allows us to see. Myopia describes the condition where lights are improperly focused onto the retina resulting in a blurry image being seen. Myopia has both a genetic and environmental component. Children with myopic parents have a higher incidence of developing myopia with a faster rate of progression. Increased near work including reading and device use is also correlated with an increased risk of myopic progression.
How common is myopia?
Myopia is a very common visual condition that currently affects 30% of the population. By 2050, the prevalence of myopia is estimated to increase to 50% of the world’s population. Along with the rising prevalence, myopia is starting at younger ages, progressing at more rapid rates and are reaching higher levels of myopia than previous generations. A study by the Government of Ontario showed that 1 in 4 school-aged children has an undetected vision problem that is affecting their learning. Yet only 11.5% of children under the age of 4 and 22.6% of children under the age of six have ever been to an Optometrist for an eye exam.
How is myopia treated?
As a child grows, so do their eyes. Depending on the child, myopia can increase as the child grows and regular eye examinations help to assess for prescription changes. There are treatment options for children with myopia to slow down the progression. Early intervention, lifestyle modifications and use of myopia control corrective lenses can aid in slowing down myopic progression. Studies are showing that reducing near work and screen time combined with at least 90 minutes a day of outdoor time can help reduce the progression of myopia. Remember to wear sunglasses and sunscreen while outdoors! Options include myopia control eyeglass lenses, peripheral defocus contact lenses, orthokeratology (ortho-k) hard contact lenses and pharmacological intervention with atropine eye drops.
Screen Time Recommendations by Age
0-2
No screen time with the exception of video chatting
2-5
No more than 1 hour per day
5-18
No more than 2 hours per day