Help Protect Your Child’s Vision

A Parent’s Guide to Myopia Management

What is myopia, and why does it get worse?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, causes distant objects to look blurry. Light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it. In many children, progression accompanies growth in the length of the eye. Children may need stronger prescriptions as they grow, particularly during school years.

Family history, near work, and time spent outdoors all contribute to risk. Myopia is not simply the result of a child using a tablet, and it is not a parent’s fault. AAPOS: myopia in children

Why manage myopia instead of only updating glasses?

Correcting vision and controlling progression serve different purposes. Ordinary single-vision glasses help a child see clearly; myopia-control treatments are intended to slow the changes that lead to increasing nearsightedness. Myopia management also includes advice and continuing assessment. International Myopia Institute: definitions

Higher myopia is associated with greater risk of eye problems such as retinal detachment and glaucoma. These are risks, not predictions that a child will develop those conditions. Discussing progression early gives families an opportunity to consider treatment before myopia becomes more advanced. AAPOS: myopia in children

Myopia Management Treatment Options

MiSight™ Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

MiSight™ 1 day lenses correct distance vision and are designed to slow myopia progression. A fresh pair is used each day, with removal before sleeping.

The FDA-approved indication covers children who begin treatment at ages 8–12, with a spherical-equivalent prescription from −0.75 to −4.00 diopters and no more than 0.75 diopters of astigmatism, in otherwise non-diseased eyes. These are starting criteria, not a statement that treatment must stop at age 13. An examination determines whether a child meets the criteria and can wear lenses safely. FDA: MiSight™ approval

Ask about handling lessons, wear time, replacement supplies, and what to do when a lens is uncomfortable. Contact lens care and follow-up are part of treatment, not optional extras.

Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K Lenses

Ortho-k uses specially fitted lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. This can provide clear daytime vision without glasses or daytime contacts. Ortho-k is also used in myopia management; temporary vision correction and slowing eye growth are distinct treatment goals.

Overnight lens wear requires careful cleaning, safe handling, and regular assessment. Families should discuss infection risk, suitability, and the specific lens’s regulatory labeling with their doctor. International Myopia Institute: clinical management

Atropine Eye Drops

Low-dose atropine is another approach used to slow childhood myopia. Possible side effects include light sensitivity, near blur, and allergy. Atropine for myopia is an off-label use in the United States according to AAPOS; discuss the prescribed formulation with your doctor. AAPOS: myopia treatment

Atropine results are not interchangeable across concentrations, formulations, or study populations. A U.S. trial found that 0.01% atropine did not outperform placebo, while a more recent UK trial reported a benefit at that concentration. Your doctor should explain the evidence supporting the chosen approach and how response will be assessed. NIH: U.S. trial · CHAMP-UK trial

Stellest™ Myopia-Control Glasses

Specialized spectacle lenses are different from ordinary single-vision glasses. In September 2025, the FDA authorized Essilor Stellest™ lenses to correct myopia and slow progression in children starting treatment at ages 6–12. Product-specific prescription criteria apply. SoLo Eye Care offers Stellest™ as a glasses-based option for eligible children. FDA: Stellest™ authorization

How do the options compare?

MiSight™: Daily disposable daytime contacts. Discuss eligibility, handling confidence, consistent wear, and safe removal.

Ortho-k: Overnight lenses with cleaning and care. Discuss overnight wear, fitting, hygiene, and follow-up responsibilities.

Atropine: Drops according to the prescription. Discuss concentration, side effects, response, and separate vision correction.

Stellest™: Specialized spectacles. Discuss product eligibility, fit, and wearing instructions.

There is no single best choice for every child. Bring questions about sports, school, bedtime routines, handling lenses, and your family’s ability to attend follow-ups. These practical details help make a treatment discussion useful.

How do doctors track whether treatment is working?

Myopia management considers changes over time, rather than relying on one vision test. Assessment may include prescription measurements and axial length—the distance from the front to the back of the eye. Your doctor can explain which measurements are available and how they inform decisions.

Monitoring also considers eye health, treatment adherence, side effects, and whether a plan needs adjustment. Ask for a clear follow-up schedule, including checks after starting or changing treatment. International Myopia Institute: clinical management

Useful questions for your consultation:

• How has my child’s prescription changed compared with prior exams?

   

• Will you measure axial length, and how will you interpret changes?

   

• Why do you recommend this option for my child?

   

• What would lead you to adjust or switch treatment?

   

• What is included in the fee, and how often will we return?

   

What can families do at home?

Encourage outdoor activity and breaks from prolonged close work. Outdoor time has stronger evidence for reducing the onset of myopia than for controlling progression once a child already has it. These habits complement clinical care; they do not replace a prescribed treatment. International Myopia Institute: clinical management

How much does myopia management cost?

At SoLo Eye Care, we have implemented a Fee-For-Service myopia management model. This allows our doctors to truly personalize your child's myopic treatment and monitoring, without having families over pay for services not needed in bundled or packaged models, that are commonly implemented at other practices. Contact SoLo Eye Care for our current service and product pricing for the recommended treatment. Ask whether it includes the initial evaluation, lens fitting, follow-up visits, lenses or drops, replacement supplies, and visits needed after a treatment change. We can also confirm if any of your vision benefits can be applied to the services or supplies needed. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When should we ask about myopia management?

Bring it up when your child is diagnosed with myopia or when prescriptions are increasing. There is no need to wait for severe nearsightedness before discussing options. Eligibility for an individual product depends on its criteria and your child’s examination.

Can treatment reverse myopia?

The aim is to slow progression, not reverse it. Ortho-k’s temporary reshaping of the cornea can change unaided daytime vision, but this is different from reversing the eye growth associated with myopia. International Myopia Institute: definitions

Will my child still need glasses or contacts?

Clear vision remains part of the care plan. MiSight™ provides vision correction while worn, and ortho-k may provide clear daytime vision after overnight wear. Ask what backup correction your child needs and whether separate glasses or contacts are required with a drop-based plan.

How long does treatment last?

Treatment may continue through years of eye growth. Your doctor should decide when to change or stop based on the child’s progress, with continued observation after stopping. AAPOS: myopia treatment

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Talk With SoLo Eye Care About Your Child’s Next Step

Bring your child’s previous prescriptions and your questions. Contact our team to discuss a myopia consultation and confirm the most appropriate location.