Myopia Management FAQs

With Dr Erik

What is Myopia Management (MM)?

Myopia management is a blanket term to describe various ways we can try to help slow the progression and try to keep the level of prescription from getting too strong.

There are several treatment options available that we know can slow the rate of change. These include bifocal glasses lenses, a new specialty glasses lens, multifocal and specialty myopia control soft contacts, specialty hard contacts, as well as atropine therapy.

Atropine therapy uses diluted atropine drops; they partially dilate the eyes, but without the typical dilation side effects.

All these treatment options work by blurring the image the peripheral retina receives; we know through research this helps keep the eye from elongating, which is what drives the prescription to continue to get worse. This blur is not something that is noticeable or bothersome to patients, as we are still correcting their central vision as usual.

2. Why is MM important?

We know that myopia involves more than just blurry vision; long term, it can increase the risk for retinal detachments, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and earlier cataract formation.

The higher the level of myopia, the greater the risk, and the younger it starts, the more likely it is to become significantly stronger over time.

Anything we can do to slow the progress and keep the prescription from becoming too strong over time can help. Unfortunately, nothing has been shown to stop progression once someone has myopia.

3. When should my child start Myopia Management?

We recommend starting some form of myopia management at the onset of myopia. For younger patients, this usually is with a bifocal in their lenses, as they may not be ready for contacts.

While it sounds odd to many parents to have a bifocal for a child, the purpose/reason in this situation is different than why we need them as adults, and we utilize a bifocal design that is easy to use but also cosmetically appealing while also cost effective.