Myopia Control
The rates of childhood Myopia (nearsightedness) are increasing dramatically! Today, 1 in 3 children is nearsighted.
No parent wants their child's eyeglass prescription to get stronger (and their glasses to get thicker) year after year!
Increasing myopia carries risks to eye health in the future. Thankfully, new tools allows us to slow myopia progression.
Progressive Eye Care specializes in helping Utah parents concerned about their children's vision, serving families in the South Jordan, Sandy, Draper, and northern Utah County area.
What is Myopia? Myopia = Nearsightedness
Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is the most common vision problem among children, teens, and young adults.
Nearsighted means you have sight at near.
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long and light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it, leading to blurry distance vision.
When myopia starts during childhood, it usually progresses rapidly.
Early intervention with novel treatments can slow or even stop myopia from progressing.
Start Your Myopia Journey Request a Myopia Management Consultation
Why Myopia is Bad
Myopia is becoming more common, showing up at earlier ages and progressing more rapidly.
Many researchers believe reduced time playing outside and increased screen time are at least partly to blame.
Myopia leads to struggles in school, sports, and other extra-curricular activities.
Myopia Increases Risk of Future Eye Disease
High levels of myopia increase your child’s future risk for serious eye diseases, including glaucoma and reteinal diseases.
Above a prescription of -6.00 Diopters, the risk later in life of myopic maculopathy is 40X geater; the risk of retinal detachment is 21X greater; the risk of glaucoma is 3X greater.
Early intervention can slow or even stop the progression of myopia in your child.
What Parents Should Know
High nearsightedness can be debilitating when you can't find your glasses or contacts.
Some prescriptions can get too high to be treated with Lasik when your child is older.
While glasses can help your child to see better, traditional glasses don’t stop myopia from continuing to deteriorate.
Tips for Parents: Encourage less screen time and more outdoor play and activity. Actively montitor for myopia progression.
What is Myopia Control?
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Myopia Control, also called Myopia Management, refers to a range of new treatment options designed to keep nearsightedness from getting worse every year.
How It Works
Now considered a major health concern, myopia (nearsightedness) has increased by 66% in the United States since 1971. Brian Holden Institute
What Increases Myopia?
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Anything that cause the eye to grow longer (increased axial length). Genetics. Too much screen time. Even traditional eyeglasses stimulate the eye to grow longer.
Our Myopia Treatments
Ortho-K
Ortho-K (short for orthokeratology) is a non-surgical vision correction using customized contact lenses worn at night to gently reshape the cornea, allowing patients to see clearly the next day without wearing prescription glasses or daytime contacts.
Studies show between 40% and 70% reduction in myopia progression with Ortho-k. Individual results can vary. A consultation is required to determine candidacy.
Progressive Eye Care is the #1 Ortho-k Provider in Utah.
Dual-Focus Daytime Contacts
Customized multifocal soft contact lenses are placed on the eye in the morning and removed each night. Their specialized optics reduce the progression of myopia while providing clear vision during the day.
Daytime daily-disposable multifocal lenses allow children and teens to be free from glasses while providing excellent clarity and comfort for all their favorite activities.
Prescription Eyedrops
Atropine eye drops are formulated to specific concentrations known to slow myopia progression over time. These drops are applied at bedtime and the child wears glasses or contact lenses during the day.
Atropine therapy does not correct vision. It helps keep the eyes from growing longer.
This treatment is excellent when a child may not be ready for contact lens options and can be added to other myopia control therapies when nearsightedness has been progressing rapidly.
Myopia Control Glasses
Coming soon: Specially-designed eyeglass lenses for myopia control are reported to provide clear central vision while adding small spots of peripheral blur to the lens to interrupt peripheral defocus and reduce eye elongation and myopia progression.
These lenses, when they become available in the US, will offer yet another option in our toolkit for fighting the progression of myopia.
Each Person is Unique Customized Myopia Management
The eye doctors at Progressive Eye Care realize that we treat the whole person. We take the time to find the best treatment plan for every family.
Suzanne Montgomery
2022
Fabulous staff and their office uses the latest technology!
View on GoogleClaudia Alvarez
2022
I love the attention here, the team is very nice and professional. My son got contacts and he had some problems putting his contacts on, and the doctor met us at night. Very nice of him. So kind and patient. Thank you.
View on GoogleWhat Time That Works Best for You? Let's Get Started
For Urgent Eye Conditions, please call our number, even after hours. For all other requests, please complete this form and we will reach out to you as soon as possible.
