How Special Myopia Management Lenses Can Help Slow the Progression of Myopia

If your child is squinting or struggling to see things at a distance, this may be caused by myopia. Myopia is a refractive error, also known as near-sightedness, that causes distant objects to appear more blurry than near objects. It occurs when the eye grows too long causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia is a growing concern globally, especially among children and adolescents, due to increased screen time, reduced outdoor activities, and genetic predispositions. The  World Health Organization classifies high myopia is an emerging cause of irreversible vision loss. It is estimated that half of the world’s population will be myopic by 2050! 

Why Myopia Management Is Important

While traditional glasses and contact lenses can correct blurry vision, they don't address the underlying issue of myopia progression. As myopia worsens, it increases the risk of severe eye health problems later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy. Myopia management aims to slow the progression of myopia, reducing the risk of long-term complications and preserving your child’s eye health.
 

Advancements in optical technology have brought several innovative solutions to manage myopia effectively. These include MiYOSMART and Stellest lenses for glasses as well as MiSight and Abiliti contact lenses.
 

Specialty Glasses Lenses

MiYOSMART Lenses

MiYOSMART lenses are specially designed spectacle lenses that use Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) technology. This technology focuses light on different parts of the retina (peripheral defocus), which helps to slow the elongation of the eyeball—a key factor in myopia progression. 
 

Stellest Lenses

Stellest lenses by Essilor utilize Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target (HALT) technology. These lenses create a unique "halo effect" of defocused light on the retina, which helps to control myopia progression.
 

In clinical studies, these lenses have been shown to slow myopia progression by up to 67% compared to regular single-vision lenses. These lenses are an excellent option for children and teens, offering a non-invasive, comfortable, and effective way to manage myopia while allowing clear vision for everyday activities.

Specialty Soft Contact Lenses

MiSight Contact Lenses

MiSight 1-day contact lenses, developed by CooperVision, are Health Canada approved for myopia control in children. These daily disposable lenses feature concentric rings that provide clear vision while simultaneously focusing peripheral light in front of the retina to slow the progression of myopia.
 

Abiliti Contact Lenses

ACUVUE Abiliti contact lenses are another daily disposable soft contact lens designed to manage myopia progression in children. These use RingBoost technology to maintain clear vision while providing a very high treatment power. 
 

Contact lenses are particularly suitable for children who prefer not to wear glasses as often or who are involved in sports and other activities where glasses might not be ideal. They offer a proactive and convenient solution to address your child’s vision needs.
 

Choosing the Right Myopia Management Solution

At Vista Eyecare we want to give you the best possible care to keep you seeing well for years to come. The best option for your child will depend on their current prescription and other vision and eye health factors determined in their eye exam and during the Myopia Management Assessment. Your optometrist will discuss the options with you to determine the best option. It is important to note that no treatment can promise the ability to stop myopia progression in children, only to slow it down. By slowing down myopia we have a better chance of reducing eye health problems related to myopia which can cause permanent vision loss. Whether it’s MiYOSMART, Stellest, MiSight, Abiliti, or other treatments like eye drops, we are here to help guide you through the process.
 

Take Action Today!

Myopia is more than just blurry vision—it’s a condition that can impact long-term eye health if left unmanaged. Let us help you find effective tools to slow myopia progression, offering your child the opportunity for clearer vision and reduced risks of serious eye conditions later in life.
 

If your child is experiencing myopia symptoms, schedule an eye exam with Dr. Schamber, Dr. Finch, or Dr. Klein for a customized plan to protect your child’s vision and ensure their eyes remain healthy. Visit our office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, call (306) 955-3811, or book an appointment here today.