Myopia Control

Myopia is increasing throughout the world.  Luckily, we can finally control it.  At New York Eye & Laser, we use a combination of medical therapy and specialty contact lenses to reduce the progression of myopia for thousands of children.   

Treatment options

Limiting screen time

There is significant evidence that our children’s usage of digital devices worsens their myopia by increasing the time their eyes need to focus on images and words that are near.  Limiting the “fun” time with phones, tablets, and computers will help.  Also, we recommend taking frequent pauses and “stretching” their eyes by looking at distant objects.   Watching television does not appear to worsen myopia.

Increase outdoor time

Being outdoors encourages the eyes to focus on distant objects. Furthermore, sunlight may play a role in reducing the progression of myopia.  Some studies suggest that children should try to play outdoors for one hour a day. 

Atropine Therapy

Atropine has been clinically proven in multiple studies to show about a 30% reduction in worsening of myopia.  It will not “cure” myopia but may rarely reduce myopia in very low prescriptions.  Atropine must be custom-made at a reputable compounding pharmacy and is not available at most local pharmacies.  We customize the dosing of atropine based on the child’s age, history and degree of myopia.

Specialty lenses

In our experience, the most effective way to control myopia is through specialty contact lenses.  

OrthoK are lenses that people wear at night.  For most people, this shapes their eye enough so that they don’t need glasses to see well during the day.  

It is FDA approved to help people see with myopia but it is not FDA approved to control myopia.  Despite this, we have found that is one of the most effective ways to control the increase of myopia. 

Missight multifocal day time contact lenses are FDA approved to control myopia.  Theses lenses are best for patient with moderately high myopia and very little astigmatism.  

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