7 Myopia Management Techniques Recommended by Eye Doctors

If your child has been prescribed glasses at a young age, you may be wondering how to slow the progression of their nearsightedness. Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the eye grows too long, making distant objects appear blurry. Left untreated, myopia can worsen over time, increasing the risk of eye diseases like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration later in life.

At Innovative EyeCare in Scottsdale, we specialize in myopia management to help children maintain healthier vision for the long term. Here are seven proven techniques eye doctors recommend for controlling myopia progression.

1. Ortho-K (Orthokeratology) Lenses

Ortho-k lenses are FDA-approved custom gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea, allowing children to wake up with clear vision without needing glasses or daytime contacts. More importantly, ortho-k has been clinically proven to slow myopia progression by reducing axial elongation (the eye's growth in length), with studies showing up to a 50% reduction in eye growth compared to traditional correction methods. These lenses offer long-term efficacy, as they are designed for nightly wear and can typically be replaced every one to two years based on lens material and wear patterns. With proper care and regular follow-ups, ortho-k remains a safe, sustainable, and effective option for myopia control, helping to protect children’s long-term eye health while providing the freedom of clear daytime vision.

✔ Best for: Children who play sports, are active, or prefer to be glasses-free during the day.

2. MiSight® 1 Day Soft Contact Lenses

MiSight® is an FDA-approved daily disposable soft contact lens designed specifically for myopia control. These lenses use a special dual-focus design to slow the eye's growth while still providing clear vision throughout the day. Because MiSight lenses are daily disposables, they are replaced every day, offering a fresh, hygienic, and hassle-free option for children. Studies have shown that MiSight can reduce myopia progression by up to 59%, making it a highly effective choice for parents looking to slow their child’s nearsightedness while ensuring comfort, convenience, and safety.

✔ Best for: Children as young as 8 years old who are comfortable wearing daily disposable contacts.

3. Multifocal Toric Soft Contact Lenses

For children with astigmatism who need myopia management, custom made-to-order multifocal toric soft contact lenses offer a tailored solution that standard glasses or contacts lenses can’t provide. These specialty lenses are designed with precise parameters to match the unique curvature and prescription needs of each child’s eyes, ensuring optimal vision correction and comfort. Unlike traditional soft lenses, custom multifocal designs incorporate specialized optics that help slow myopia progression while addressing astigmatism, providing clearer vision at all distances.

✔ Best for: Children with high levels of astigmatism not corrected with ortho-k or MiSight.

4. Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops

Atropine eye drops are a prescription medication that helps slow myopia progression. Compounded low concentrations (typically 0.01%–0.05%) have been shown to be effective with lower concentrations having less side effects. At Innovative EyeCare, atropine is often recommended as a second in line treatment after optical correction methods are implemented for children whose myopia is progressing rapidly.

✔ Best for: Young children with rapidly worsening myopia who are unable to wear contact lenses.

5. Increased Outdoor Time

Spending at least 90 minutes per day outside has been scientifically linked to a lower risk of myopia progression. Natural light exposure helps regulate the eye's growth and reduces strain from prolonged near work (such as screen time and reading).

✔ Best for: All children, especially those at high risk for myopia due to genetics or lifestyle habits.

6. Specialized Glasses for Myopia Control

New lens technologies like Hoya MiYOSMART, Essilor Stellest lenses, and Sightglass are designed to reduce myopia progression by decreasing visual contrast and/or incorporating defocus segments that manage how light enters the eye. These lenses look like regular glasses but actively help slow eye elongation. There are not any spectacles glasses lenses available in the US but we are happy to work with you to comanage patients to get their glasses overseas or in Canada.

✔ Best for: Children cannot wear contact lenses.

7. Lifestyle Adjustments & Screen Time Management

Excessive near work, such as prolonged reading or digital device use, is associated with faster myopia progression. Eye doctors recommend following the taking a break every 20-30 minutes, take a 5-10 minute break from near work to look at something 20 feet away. Proper posture, good lighting, and limiting screen time before bed can also help.

✔ Best for: All children, especially those spending long hours on screens.

A Customized Myopia Management Plans at Innovative EyeCare

Every child’s eyes are unique, which is why a personalized myopia management plan is essential for the best results. At Innovative EyeCare, we assess your child’s vision, eye health, and lifestyle to create a customized treatment plan that may combine ortho-k, MiSight, atropine drops, and lifestyle recommendations.

✔ Best for: Parents looking for expert guidance in controlling their child’s myopia progression.

Why Choose Innovative EyeCare for Myopia Management?

At Innovative EyeCare in Scottsdale, Dr. Leah Johnson is passionate about helping children see clearly and protecting their long-term eye health. Our clinic specializes in proven, research-backed treatments designed to slow myopia progression and reduce the risk of serious eye diseases in the future.

🔹 Personalized treatment plans tailored to your child’s needs
🔹 Expert myopia control solutions backed by science
🔹 State-of-the-art technology for accurate eye measurements and tracking

If you’re ready to take control of your child’s myopia and explore the best treatment options, schedule a myopia consultation at Innovative EyeCare today!

📍 Located in Scottsdale, AZ (7301 E. 2nd Street, Suite 202)
📞 Call us at 480-690-8018
📅 **Visit our website and book an appointment online