If your child already wears glasses, and their prescription seems to increase each year, there are three current treatment methods to reduce myopia progression.

Atropine

Atropine is an eye drop that can be placed in the child’s eyes daily. The eye drop is suspected to work by reducing over-focusing of the child when reading or using digital devices. The exact mechanism is not known.

Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses

Children do very well with contacts; age is not a factor. Maturity levels vary by child. Multifocal lenses work to prevent myopia due to lens design. The central portion of a multifocal lens provides the distance vision correction while the periphery reduces hyperopic defocus. In turn,  the stimulus for myopia progression is minimized by focusing the light in front of the peripheral retina.  Lastly, This prevents the eye from getting longer and in turn the prescription from progressing at a higher rate.

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology is the use of contact lenses to mold the cornea while the child sleeps overnight. During the day, glasses and contacts are no longer needed. This is a fantastic option for athletes, children with outdoor hobbies, and children who do not want to wear glasses.