Myopia Management in Thornton, CO

Myopia is on The Rise, We Can Help

In recent years, myopia has become increasingly common, affecting more children at younger ages. In the United States, the prevalence of myopia has almost doubled over the last two generations, increasing from 25% to 42%. This has become a concern, and as eye doctors, we are committed to raising awareness and educating parents on the importance of managing this eye condition. Myopia is not just a matter of needing stronger glasses — it’s a progressive condition that can lead to serious eye health issues if left unchecked.

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What Is Myopia?

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common refractive error where distant objects appear blurry while close-up objects are clear. This occurs because the eye is either too long, or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia typically begins in childhood and often progresses until the eye stops growing, usually in the late teens or early twenties.

Vista Eye Care

13695 Colorado Boulevard
Thornton, CO 80602

Monday: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

What Are the Risks of Myopia Development?

Myopia can develop and progress due to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. Understanding these risks can help in taking early action to manage and slow the progression in children. Here are some key risk factors:

Family History

Genetics plays a significant role in myopia development. A child is three times more likely to develop myopia if one parent is myopic. This risk doubles if both parents are myopic.

Visual Environment

Spending less than 90 minutes (about one and a half hours) outdoors per day increases the risk of developing myopia, especially when combined with more than three hours a day of close-range activities like reading, using computers, or playing on handheld devices.

Refraction

Children who exhibit 0.50 diopters or less of hyperopia (farsightedness) at ages 6 to 7 are at a higher risk of developing myopia. Early detection and intervention can be crucial in managing this risk.

Age

The younger a child is when myopia begins, the faster it is likely to progress. Starting myopia management early is essential to slow this progression and protect long-term vision.

Ethnicity

Studies have shown that children of Asian descent tend to experience faster myopia progression compared to other ethnicities.

Binocular Vision

Issues with binocular vision, such as esophoria (where the eyes tend to turn inward) and intermittent exophoria (where the eyes tend to turn outward), are associated with an increased risk of myopia progression.

What is Myopia Management?

Myopia management (myopia control) refers to a proactive approach to addressing the progression of myopia, or nearsightedness, particularly in children. Unlike traditional methods that simply correct vision with glasses or contact lenses, myopia management focuses on slowing the progression of the condition itself. This is important because higher levels of myopia are associated with an increased risk of serious eye health issues later in life.

How Do I Know If My Child Needs Myopia Management?

Parents should be vigilant about their child’s vision and look for signs indicating a need for myopia management. You should consider myopia management if:

Your child is squinting to see distant objects or frequently complains of blurry vision when looking at the board in school or watching TV
There is a family history of myopia, especially if either parent is highly myopic
Your child has been diagnosed with myopia at a young age
Your child’s prescription has been increasing with each annual eye exam
Your child spends a lot of time on nearby tasks such as reading, using computers, or playing on handheld devices

Myopia Management at Vista Eye Care

While traditional glasses or contact lenses are fine for correcting vision, they do not address myopia progression. We offer a range of advanced treatments designed to slow progression and reduce the ultimate prescription your child will need. Here’s a look at the myopia management options available at our practice:

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

This involves using custom-designed contact lenses that patients wear overnight. Similar in material to gas-permeable contacts, these lenses reshape the front surface of the eye while your child sleeps. The result? Clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses. Ortho-k is an effective treatment for controlling myopia, with studies showing a decrease in the progression of nearsightedness by 60 to 100%.

Atropine Eye Drops

Atropine eye drops are a prescription treatment used nightly to slow myopia development. Research has shown that low-dose atropine can reduce the progression of myopia by about 50%. These drops are generally well-tolerated and must be compounded by a pharmacist, though we work with a mail-order pharmacy to ensure availability for our patients.

Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses

These daily disposable lenses create peripheral retinal blur, which slows the stimulus for eye elongation — a key factor in myopia progression. Research indicates a 30% reduction in the rate of myopia progression for children using these lenses.

Progressive Addition Lenses (PALs)

Progressive addition lenses (PALs) reduce eye strain by relaxing the eye’s near focus, which can help slow myopia progression. Based on the results of multiple studies, wearing PALs can reduce myopia development by about 24%. Although this is the least effective standalone method, eye doctors often recommend using PALs with other myopia management treatments to enhance their effectiveness.

Spending Time Outdoors

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent myopia is to encourage outdoor activities. Studies have shown that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop myopia compared to those who spend more time indoors on screens. The general recommendation is for children to spend 60 to 90 minutes outside each day

Included in Our Myopia Management Program

Our myopia management program provides everything your child needs to embark on a healthier, less myopic path. The program includes:

Initial Consultation Visit

A thorough assessment to determine the best myopia approach for your child.

3-Month Follow-Up Visit

A check-up to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan if necessary.

6-Month Follow-Up Visit

Another evaluation to ensure the treatment is effective and to make any necessary modifications.

Supply of Contacts

Depending on the chosen method, this includes either 720 daily disposable soft multifocal lenses or one pair of retainer ortho-k lenses.

Atropine Treatment

If atropine eye drops are the primary method of myopia management, we will issue a credit toward the yearly cost of the program.

FAQs on Myopia Management

What is the difference between myopia management and regular glasses?

The key difference lies in the goal of treatment. Regular glasses and contact lenses correct vision, allowing you to see clearly by compensating for the refractive error. However, they do not address the underlying progression of myopia. Myopia management, on the other hand, focuses on slowing or halting myopia progression over time, thereby reducing the risk of developing high myopia and associated eye health complications in the future.

Will my child still need to wear glasses or contact lenses?

Depending on the type of myopia management treatment chosen, your child may still need to wear glasses or contact lenses. For example, with ortho-k, your child only wears specially designed contact lenses at night, so no daytime vision correction is needed. With other treatments like atropine eye drops, your child may continue to wear their regular glasses or contacts during the day.

Is it really worth trying to reduce myopia, even by a small amount?

Absolutely. Even a small reduction in myopia can have an impact on long-term eye health. A recent study found that reducing a patient’s final level of myopia by just 1.00 diopter (D) can lower the lifelong risk of developing myopic maculopathy by 40%, regardless of the final level of myopia.

Can multiple treatments be combined in a myopia management program?

Yes, we can use multiple treatments together in one management program, depending on the child's individual needs. While a single treatment is often sufficient to slow myopic progression for most patients, some children may continue to experience an increase. In such cases, we may introduce a second treatment method to enhance the management program's effectiveness. For example, a child might use both atropine eye drops and soft multifocal contact lenses together to achieve better control over myopia progression.

Why is every myopia management treatment program different?

Every program is unique because every patient is unique. The treatment plan is customized to address the needs and circumstances of each child. Here are a few examples of why a personalized approach is essential:

A patient who cannot wear soft contact lenses might find ortho-k lenses more practical
A patient with high levels of astigmatism may not be a good candidate for certain contact lenses
A child who participates in sports might need a solution that doesn’t require wearing glasses, making contact lenses or ortho-k a better option
If a patient doesn’t tolerate contact lenses well, atropine eye drops may be the easiest treatment
For those with a prescription too high for ortho-k, soft multifocal lenses might offer the best solution

Does insurance cover myopia management?

Currently, insurance or vision plans do not cover myopia management services. However, some plans may partially cover devices and medications used in myopia management. For example, progressive eyeglasses and atropine medication may be eligible for some coverage, depending on your plan. Unfortunately, vision plans do not cover ortho-k lenses.

How long does my child need to stay in a myopia management program?

We recommend your child remain in our myopia management program until there is no longer a risk of their eyes continuing to elongate. The duration of the program varies for each child, as every individual’s eyes are unique. We will closely monitor your child’s eye health and progression, providing you with yearly updates on their condition.

Two children undergoing eye exams: On the left, a boy is having his eyes checked using a slit lamp, while on the right, a girl is wearing a phoropter for a vision test. A playful mascot in a Vista Eye Care shirt adds a fun element to the scene.

Meet Vista Eye Care's Myopia Mascot

Join us in the fight against myopia! At Vista Eye Care, we're dedicated to raising awareness about myopia and educating parents and children about this growing concern. Our Myopia Mascot is here to make learning fun and engaging for kids, helping them understand the importance of eye health. Together, we can work to manage and slow the progression of myopia, ensuring a brighter future for your child's vision.

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