You get the news at their annual eye exam: Your child’s prescription for nearsightedness has gotten stronger again. At Headwaters Optometry, our team understands that this can feel concerning and leave you wondering whether there is any way for you to support their vision.
MiSight lenses are daily disposable soft contact lenses designed for children to correct nearsightedness and help slow the progression of myopia. This technology offers a proactive approach to managing your child’s eye health as they grow, focusing on both their present and future vision.
A New Approach to Your Child’s Nearsightedness
You may notice your child’s prescription for nearsightedness (also known as myopia) gets stronger year after year. MiSight offers a different path than just correcting their blurry vision today.
They are daily disposable lenses, which means your child gets a fresh, clean pair every single day. This removes the need for cleaning solutions or lens cases, making them a simple and hygienic option for busy families. The process starts with a contact lens fitting to see if they are a good fit for your child.
How MiSight Lenses Help Control Myopia
MiSight lenses have a unique design that helps both your child’s current vision and their future eye health. The lens is designed to do 2 important jobs:
- The lens corrects nearsightedness with 1 part, so your child can see clearly for school, sports, and play.
- Another part of the lens changes how light focuses in their side vision. This has been shown to help slow the eye from growing too long, which is what causes myopia to worsen over time.
While myopia cannot be reversed, this approach aims to reduce the progression of your child’s prescription. A lower prescription in adulthood is beneficial, as it is associated with a reduced risk of certain eye conditions later in life.
Who Can Benefit from MiSight Contacts?
MiSight lenses are specifically for children, often ages 8 to 12, whose nearsightedness is worsening. A comprehensive children’s eye exam with an eye doctor in Orangeville is the first step to see if this could be beneficial for your child.
What About Astigmatism?
These lenses are designed to correct nearsightedness, but may still work for children with mild astigmatism. If your child has a higher level of astigmatism, the eye doctor can discuss all available options with you.
When Does Treatment Usually Stop?
The goal is to use MiSight lenses while your child’s eyes are still growing, so treatment often continues through the teenage years. Your eye doctor can monitor your child’s vision and determine when their prescription becomes stable.
MiSight and Other Myopia Options
You may have heard of other ways to manage myopia, like Ortho-K lenses. These are firm lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the eye’s surface. This helps your child to see clearly during the day without glasses or contact lenses.
MiSight is different because it is a soft lens worn during the day and removed at night. The choice between them often comes down to your child’s comfort, lifestyle, and specific vision needs. Your eye doctor can help you explore all myopia management options to see what makes the most sense for your family.
The Process for MiSight Lenses
It all starts with a conversation and a thorough eye health evaluation. Our team talks with you and your child about their daily activities and readiness for contacts to see if they are a good candidate for the MiSight program.
Lens Fit and Follow-Up Care
If you decide to move forward, the next step is a contact lens exam and fitting. Our team can teach your child how to safely put in, take out, and care for their lenses. Regular follow-up visits are also part of the plan to monitor your child’s prescription and vision health.
A Note on Cost and Value
The cost of our MiSight program is typically for a full year. This includes all the lenses your child needs plus all the appointments for fittings and check-ups. It’s an investment in managing your child’s vision for the long term. To understand the details and what your insurance might cover, our team can walk you through the program.
Don’t Wait for Their Vision to Get Worse
MiSight contact lenses offer a proactive approach to your child’s eye health, helping them see clearly today while working to slow myopia progression for tomorrow. To learn more about this option for your family, you can schedule a consultation with us today.
