As a parent, you pay close attention to your child’s health, and that includes their vision. You might notice your child’s prescription for nearsightedness, or myopia, gets stronger after each children’s eye exam. This is a common concern for many families, especially as the differences between vision conditions like myopia and astigmatism become more apparent.
Fortunately, you can take an active role in your child’s long-term eye health beyond just new glasses. New approaches like MiSight 1 Day contact lenses can help slow down the changes in your child’s vision. This post explains how they work as part of a myopia control plan for your child.
What Is Myopia & Why Does It Progress?
A Simple Look at Nearsightedness
Myopia is the clinical term for nearsightedness, which means your child can see objects up close clearly, but things farther away appear blurry. This happens when the eye grows slightly too long from front to back. This change in shape causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
The Concern with Progressive Myopia
When a child’s prescription continues to increase, we call it myopia progression. It’s more than just an inconvenience—a higher level of myopia can be a factor in certain eye health conditions later in life. The goal of myopia management is to slow this progression during the crucial growing years to support their future eye health.
An Introduction to MiSight 1 Day Contact Lenses
How MiSight Lenses Work
MiSight 1 Day lenses do two things: they correct your child’s blurry distance vision and they use a unique design to help slow down the eye’s growth, reducing how quickly their prescription changes.
By managing the signal for the eye to grow longer, MiSight lenses can help slow myopia progression. Your Calgary optometrist can explain this process in more detail during a myopia control consultation. It’s a proactive approach to manage your child’s vision.
Designed for a Child’s Lifestyle
MiSight lenses are daily disposables, which is great for kids and busy families. Your child wears a fresh, new pair of lenses each day and simply discards them at night. This means no complicated cleaning routines or storage cases to worry about, making contact lens wear and care much easier.
The soft contact lens material is comfortable and easy to handle. This design makes them a straightforward option for children, even those new to contact lenses. They offer freedom for kids to participate in sports and other activities without glasses.
The Benefits of a Myopia Control Plan
Slow the Progression of Nearsightedness
The main purpose of a myopia control plan is to help slow the rate at which your child’s vision changes. While traditional glasses or contacts correct blurry vision, they don’t address the underlying progression. MiSight lenses are specifically designed for this purpose.
Slowing myopia progression means your child may end up with a lower prescription in adulthood than they might have otherwise. This can mean less dependence on strong glasses later on. It’s a forward-thinking approach to their eye care.
Support for Your Child’s Vision & Future
Many children appreciate the freedom that contact lenses provide. When comparing contacts versus glasses, many find lenses allow them to run, play, and participate in activities without their glasses slipping or getting in the way. This can be a positive experience for a child.
A myopia control program is an investment in your child’s future vision. By starting early, you’re helping protect their eyesight and giving them more freedom as they grow.
Is Your Child a Candidate for MiSight?
The best way to know if MiSight lenses are right for your child is through a comprehensive eye exam. During the visit, we’ll assess your child’s prescription, overall eye health, and lifestyle to see if daily disposable contacts are a good fit.
Signs that your child may benefit from MiSight include:
- Needing a stronger prescription each year
- Complaining of blurry vision, even with their glasses
- Squinting to see distant objects like a board or TV
- Holding books or screens unusually close
With this information, we can create a personalized plan and, if MiSight is a match, guide your child through the process of safely and comfortably wearing contact lenses.
Start a Conversation About Myopia Control
Your Next Steps
If you’re concerned about your child’s progressing nearsightedness, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment. We can discuss your observations and answer your questions in a clear, simple way. This consultation is the best way to get personalized information.
We can explore all the available options for myopia control. Together, we can find a path forward that fits your child and your family. The goal is to provide the information you need to make a confident decision.
We Are Here to Help Your Family
Caring for your child’s eyesight can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Southwood Eyecare, we’ll guide you through every step — from the first exam to helping your child feel comfortable with their new lenses.
Our goal is to make the process simple, supportive, and reassuring for your family. Together, we can slow myopia progression and protect your child’s vision for the future. Book an appointment today to start the conversation about your child’s eye health.
