Myopia Management Program

Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is a progressive visual disorder that results in poor distance vision. Myopia can cause abnormal or adverse ocular changes. High myopia may lead to thinning and weakening of the retina. Abnormal axial elongation of the eye can increase the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular degeneration and other ocular conditions. There is no known cure for myopia. This has led eye doctors to look for ways to slow down the progression of myopia in children and young adults. There are several established methods to slow down progression detailed below.

At Pediatrix Eye Care, we offer orthokeratology, Misight and atropine eye drops. Be sure to visit us for an examination so we can recommend the best option for you. Slowing down myopia progression lowers the risk of ocular conditions which will be impactful into adulthood. To schedule an appointment, please call our office at 425-823-3937.

Types of Myopia Control 

Orthokeratology or Ortho-k is the science of changing the curvature or shape of the cornea to change how light is focused on the retina at the back of one's eye.  It works each night while you sleep. You put specially designed molding retainer contact lenses on when you go to bed and remove them when you wake up. Your vision is clear during the day, without glasses or daytime contact lenses.

MiSight helps slow the elongation of the eye and myopia progression, while fully correcting refractive error for clear vision. MiSight contact lenses are worn every day during the waking hours. The two treatment zones create myopic defocus with image focus in the front of the retina, rather than behind it to slow axial elongation (axial elongation increases myopia). 

Low Dose Atropine eye drops use a low concentration of the medication atropine. This medication is thought to influence the release of chemicals from certain retinal cells and to exert effects on the sclera, or wall of the eye, both of which can slow down the increase in myopia due to growth of the eye. Topical drops of atropine of varying concentrations are administered nightly in children with myopia to slow myopia progression.

Spectacle lenses with special lens configurations (DIMS, HAL, DOT) that defocus the peripheral image to the retina and slow the axial elongation that increases myopia in children. Theses lenses are not available currently in the US, but we have partnered with a Canadian optical shop to allow access to this technology with a short trip to Vancouver, BC.