Myopia Management/
Control in Allendale, MI

Child getting an eye exam at Family Vision Optical

What is Myopia?

Myopia can have a strong impact on your child’s development and make their eyes more susceptible to future diseases. Family Vision Optical’s myopia management plans are an effective way of slowing the condition’s progression and safeguarding your child’s vision.

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, occurs when the eye elongates. This causes distant objects to appear blurry and can result in headaches and eye strain. Myopia emerges during childhood and continues to worsen with age and continues to progress into our twenties due to increased screen time. The specific cause of myopia is unknown, but factors like excessive screen use and spending too much time indoors have been linked to a child’s risk of developing myopia. If left unaddressed, it has the potential to significantly affect your child’s ocular health and disease development later in life. Fortunately, advancements in eye health now offer myopia treatment choices that can yield lifelong health advantages.

Why Don’t We Recommend Glasses for Children’s Myopia?

Eyeglasses can temporarily improve your child’s vision and allow them to see, but glasses do nothing to correct the underlying cause of the problem. Myopia will continue to get worse with time, and your child will need to keep getting stronger and stronger prescriptions. There are currently no spectacle lenses approved in the United States that will slow the increase in prescription and progression of myopia. Additionally, there are practical and social reasons to seek vision correction options outside of glasses. These situations include sports, marching band, etc. and it has been shown that not wearing glasses can increase a child’s self confidence. This is why contact lenses and orthokeratology can be great options because they not only correct vision, but they also slow the progression of myopia.
Young child getting an eye check at Family Vision Optical
Young child getting an eye check at Family Vision Optical

Why Don’t We Recommend Glasses for Children’s Myopia?

Eyeglasses can temporarily improve your child’s vision and allow them to see, but glasses do nothing to correct the underlying cause of the problem. Myopia will continue to get worse with time, and your child will need to keep getting stronger and stronger prescriptions. There are currently no spectacle lenses approved in the United States that will slow the increase in prescription and progression of myopia. Additionally, there are practical and social reasons to seek vision correction options outside of glasses. These situations include sports, marching band, etc. and it has been shown that not wearing glasses can increase a child’s self confidence. This is why contact lenses and orthokeratology can be great options because they not only correct vision, but they also slow the progression of myopia.

We’re Proud to Offer Myopia Management!

Myopia management offers a two-pronged approach: it corrects your child’s vision now and slows the disease’s progress, so it’s less severe over their lifetime. You can rest easy knowing that their vision will be closely monitored by a team of eye experts who are looking out for their lifelong health. As the saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Young boy getting an eye care at FVO
Young boy getting an eye care at FVO

We’re Proud to Offer Myopia Management!

Myopia management offers a two-pronged approach: it corrects your child’s vision now and slows the disease’s progress, so it’s less severe over their lifetime. You can rest easy knowing that their vision will be closely monitored by a team of eye experts who are looking out for their lifelong health. As the saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Myopia Management Referrals

We are happy to work with other clinics to help manage a patient’s myopia. We have the child-friendly tech and large range of treatment options required to administer proper relief, and are excited to work with you to provide the supportive care your patients deserve.

Choosing the Right Myopia Management Plan

Dr. Nick Lillie and the Family Vision Optical team have trained extensively in pediatric care. Our kid-friendly solutions will be specially tailored to fit your child’s age, hobbies, and overall lifestyle. Our myopia management plans may include:
Boy sleeping

Ortho-K: “Eye Retainers”

Ortho-K, or Orthokeratology, is a type of myopia treatment that uses a firm contact lens that is designed to help the eye hold its shape and resist long-term malformation. These lenses are worn at night as your child sleeps and gives them clear vision without correction during the day!
Child using an eye drops at FVO

Atropine Eye Drops

Atropine drops are used to manage myopia, treat lazy eye, and other eye diseases. These drops can be used independently or in conjunction with other myopia management treatment modalities.
Contact lens at Family Vision Optical

Therapeutic Soft Contact Lenses

Therapeutic soft contact lenses are used to treat a wide range of issues. These types of contacts are worn during the day, giving your child clear vision and slowing the progression of their myopia.

Why Choose Family Vision Optical
for Your Child’s Myopia Management?

Our patient-oriented mindset puts your child’s eye health at the center of our focus. Our staff is extensively trained in pediatric eye care, and we’ll empower both you and your child with the education and information required to help you understand their condition. You’re in our care from the moment you book an appointment, and every step of the way you can expect us to adhere to our core values of care, quality, expertise, and timeliness.