Call or Text Today!
(210) 828-1321
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is no longer viewed by eye care professionals as just a need for stronger glasses. It is now managed as a progressive condition. Myopia control refers to specific treatments and lifestyle changes designed to slow down the elongation of the eyeball, which is the primary cause of worsening vision in children.
By slowing this growth, we can reduce the risk of sight-threatening complications later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Modern lens technologies are designed to create "myopic defocus" on the peripheral retina, which signals the eye to stop growing so quickly.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): These are specialized hard contact lenses worn only while sleeping.They gently reshape the cornea overnight, providing clear vision during the day without glasses or contacts.Studies show they can slow axial elongation by approximately 40–50%.
Soft Multifocal/Dual-Focus Lenses: Lenses like the FDA-approved MiSight 1 day use concentric rings to correct vision while simultaneously treating the eye.These are worn during the day and have shown a 59% reduction in progression over three years.
Specialty Spectacle Lenses: Newer "lenslet" designs (such as Essilor Stellest or Hoya MiYOSMART) incorporate hundreds of tiny segments that create a treatment zone. These are an excellent non-invasive option for children not ready for contact lenses.
Stellest Lens for Children: Essilor Stellest lenses are a breakthrough in "smart" eyewear, designed to slow down the progression of nearsightedness in children without the need for contact lenses. They utilize H.A.L.T. technology (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target), which consists of a central clear zone for sharp vision surrounded by over 1,000 tiny, invisible lenslets. These lenslets create a "volume of signal" that tells the eye to stop elongating too quickly. Recently granted FDA market authorization in late 2025, clinical studies have shown that when worn for at least 12 hours a day, these lenses can slow myopia progression by an average of 67–71%. They look and feel exactly like regular glasses, making them a safe, non-invasive, and easy-to-adopt option for children as young as six.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops: Used once daily at bedtime, concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 0.05% have been shown to effectively slow progression. While they don't correct blurred vision (the child still needs glasses), they are often used in combination with optical treatments for a synergistic effect.
Behavioral changes are the foundation of any myopia management plan and are often the easiest to implement.
| Habit | Recommendation | Why it Works |
| Outdoor Time | 120 minutes daily | Natural light triggers dopamine release in the retina, which inhibits eye growth. |
| The 20-20-20 Rule | Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. | Reduces "accommodative lag" and eye strain from prolonged near work. |
| Harmon's Distance | Keep books/screens at least 30–40 cm away. | Viewing objects too closely is a known trigger for myopia progression. |
| Lighting | Use bright, natural light for study areas. | Poor contrast and dim lighting can accelerate eye elongation. |
The younger a child becomes myopic, the faster they tend to progress. Every 1.00 diopter reduction in a child's final prescription can reduce their risk of developing myopic macular degeneration by 40%.
