Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a growing concern, particularly in young children who initially develop it. In the U.S., 41.6% of the population has myopia, and it is estimated that half the world’s population will be myopic by 2050. This vision correction issue occurs when the eyeball grows too long, meaning light doesn’t focus directly on the retina at the back but in front of it, causing you to experience blurry distance vision.
Genetics play a significant role in myopia development – if one parent is nearsighted, their child may be twice as likely to develop it and if both have it, a child may be five times more likely to develop myopia. However, environmental factors, such as excessive time spent on near-vision tasks such as reading and screen-time and lack of outdoor activity, contribute substantially to myopia development and progression too.
Eyeglasses or contact lenses are usually prescribed to correct nearsightedness in children. Myopia typically gets worse as your child becomes older, i.e. an increase in prescription. Though it may stabilize in late adolescence or adulthood, myopia progression can lead to high myopia (severe nearsightedness) which increases the risk of developing serious eye diseases like macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachments as adults.
So, how can this be prevented? Regular eyeglasses or contact lenses won’t stop myopia progression, but there are clinically proven treatment options available that can help. At Davis EyeCare, we offer effective myopia management treatments aimed at slowing myopia progression in children and therefore reducing the risk of long-term complications. With the right approach, we can significantly and positively impact your child’s vision and overall eye health, giving them a brighter future.
Effective Myopia Therapy: Treatment Options That Work
Low-Dose Atropine for Myopia Control
Low-dose atropine eye drops are currently recognized as a highly effective myopia control method that can be used in children from the age of 4-12 years old. Administered once a day, usually at night, research shows they can reduce the rate of myopia progression by approximately 50%. They are usually well tolerated by children with minimal side effects.
At Davis EyeCare, we carefully consider patient comfort, eye measurements, lifestyle, current vision and eye health when considering atropine eye drop therapy for children.
Low-dose atropine can also be combined with Ortho K contact lens treatment for myopia management to achieve enhanced results.
Multifocal Contact Lenses: Myopia Control Lenses
For many children, soft multifocal contact lenses are a highly effective way to slow the progression of myopia. These specially designed lenses not only correct myopia to enable clear vision like regular contact lenses but also have a zone that helps manage peripheral defocus—a key factor in causing elongation of the eye, which causes myopia to worsen. Studies have shown that these lenses can reduce myopia progression by 40% to 50% in children.
With regular check-ups, we can monitor the effectiveness of these lenses and make necessary adjustments to ensure your child reaps the full benefits of their myopia control and vision correction capabilities.
Corneal Reshaping Therapy: Orthokeratology in Chicago
Orthokeratology (Ortho K), also known as Corneal Reshaping Therapy (CRT), is an innovative and non-surgical treatment that has the most clinical evidence to show its success in managing myopia progression in children. It involves wearing specially designed gas permeable lenses overnight while your child sleeps. The lenses work to gently reshape the cornea, so when they are removed the next morning, your child will experience clear, corrected vision during the day, without the need to wear any eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Orthokeratology has also been shown to slow myopia progression by approximately 50%. It is very safe as the lenses are only inserted and removed at home under parental supervision. They need to be worn every night in order to maintain vision correction during the day and the myopia control effect. If your child stops wearing them, their eyes will revert back to their previous prescription prior to starting the treatment within a few days with no adverse effects.
Is Orthokeratology Chicago Right for Your Child?
Our service for Orthokeratology in Chicago is a game-changer for active children who lead active lifestyles or if they simply want freedom from eyeglasses and regular contact lenses and are ready to take on the responsibility of wearing these custom night lenses.
If you’re searching for a provider of Ortho-K lenses near you, our contact lens specialists, led by Dr. Robert Davis, would be more than happy to discuss options and your child’s suitability for this effective myopia management method.
Cost of Orthokeratology: A Smart Investment in Your Child’s Eyesight
While Orthokeratology costs more than standard contact lenses, the long-term benefits often outweigh the initial expense. This advanced therapy requires several visits to our clinic and specialized custom lenses, but the results can be sustained for years. Consider it an investment in your child’s current and future vision to protect it from the adverse effects of nearsightedness.
Why Choose Davis EyeCare for Myopia Control and Orthokeratology in Chicago?
Davis EyeCare is proud to offer advanced myopia management therapy to patients in Oak Lawn, Orland Park and the wider Chicago area. With a comprehensive approach that includes cutting-edge Orthokeratology, low dose atropine therapy eye drops and soft multifocal contact lenses as options, we tailor treatment plans to each individual child’s needs.
For one of the most comprehensive services for myopia control and Orthokeratology Chicago has to offer, contact us today to learn more and schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Myopia Management and Orthokeratology
Myopia management refers to a variety of treatment methods designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness (myopia) in children. These methods include low-dose atropine therapy eye drops, soft multifocal contact lenses, and Orthokeratology (Ortho-K). The goal is to reduce the risk of serious eye conditions associated with myopia, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts from developing later on in life.
Orthokeratology involves wearing specially designed gas permeable lenses overnight that gently reshape the cornea as your child sleeps. After removing the lenses, they will experience clear, corrected vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or regular contact lenses. This treatment requires nightly use to maintain the results.
The main benefits of our service for Orthokeratology in Chicago include:
Corrected vision without the need to wear glasses or daily contact lenses.
A non-surgical approach to vision correction.
Slowing the progression of myopia in children by approximately 50%.
Although you may see some improvement in your vision after the first night of wearing Ortho-K lenses, it typically takes a few weeks to achieve the full effect. During this adjustment period, your eyes will adjust and stabilize.
Orthokeratology is ideal for children who are active or want freedom from glasses or contact lenses for nearsightedness.
Yes, Orthokeratology is a safe and FDA-approved treatment option. It has been extensively studied, with numerous clinical studies to back its effectiveness in controlling myopia progression. It can be worn by children as young as six if they are ready to take on the responsibility of wearing overnight contact lenses and are suitable for them. They are always worn at home under parental supervision, making them even safer. However, it’s essential to follow our guidance on lens care and wear to avoid potential complications.
The cost of Orthokeratology is higher than traditional contact lenses due to the specialized customization and the additional office visits required. The initial fitting and follow-up appointments are part of the treatment plan. However, many patients find Ortho-K lenses a more affordable long-term solution to protect their child’s vision and correct it. Orthokeratology may be covered by health insurance – it's important to check this with your provider.
Yes, it’s possible to undergo LASIK surgery as an adult after Orthokeratology treatment. Once your child stops wearing Ortho K lenses, their eyes will slowly revert back to their original prescription without any side effects. It’s important once your child reaches legal age that they inform their LASIK surgeon about wearing Ortho-K lenses previously, as they will need to assess the corneal shape and determine the appropriate timeline for surgery.
The side effects of myopia therapy are generally minimal. Low-dose atropine eye drops have been shown to have very few side effects, with no significant complications reported in studies. Orthokeratology may cause temporary discomfort such as glare or halos, but this usually resolves within a few days as your child’s eyes adjust. Regular monitoring by our optometrists will help manage any issues that arise.