When a child squints to read the board at school or struggles to see across a room, it’s easy to chalk it up to needing a stronger prescription. But in many cases, the more important question isn’t just how well they can see today, and whether their myopia is progressing, and what can be done to slow it down. Myopia rates among Americans have risen sharply over recent decades and continue to climb, making proactive eye care more important than ever for children.
At Vision Source Mandan, myopia management is one of our most important areas of focus. Dr. Brittany Schauer, Dr. Wayne Aberle, and Dr. Danielle Dyke work with children and families throughout Bismarck, Mandan, and the surrounding North Dakota region to evaluate myopia progression and recommend the most effective treatment strategies available today. Learn more about our myopia management program and what it means for your child’s long-term vision.
What Is Myopia and Why Does It Progress?
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, occurs when the eyeball grows too long from front to back. According to the National Eye Institute, roughly 41.6 percent of Americans are nearsighted, a figure that has risen significantly since the 1970s and continues to grow. Instead of focusing light precisely on the retina, images come into focus slightly in front of it, making distant objects appear blurry. While glasses or contact lenses correct how a child sees, they don’t address the underlying growth of the eye itself.
This distinction matters because myopia that progresses unchecked throughout childhood increases the risk of serious conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. The faster myopia progresses during childhood, the higher the final prescription is likely to be and the greater the long-term risk. That’s why early evaluation and proactive management are so valuable.
Who Needs Myopia Management?
Myopia management is most effective when started early. Children whose myopia is diagnosed at a young age, or whose prescription is increasing noticeably from year to year, are strong candidates for myopia control therapy. A key point many parents don’t realize is that passing a school vision screening does not rule out myopia progression. Screenings are limited and miss a significant portion of vision problems, and a thorough children’s eye exam is the only reliable way to assess how a child’s eyes are developing.
Dr. Schauer has shared that one of the most common misconceptions she encounters is parents assuming their child’s school screening was equivalent to a full eye exam. Getting children in for annual comprehensive exams is something our team actively encourages, especially for those with a family history of myopia.kes a meaningful difference in comfort and visual clarity, so we never take a one-size-fits-all approach.
Myopia Management Options We Offer
There are several clinically supported approaches to slowing myopia progression, and the right choice depends on each child’s age, prescription, lifestyle, and how quickly their myopia has been advancing. Our doctors evaluate all of these factors before making a recommendation.
Here are the primary myopia management options available at our practice:
- CooperVision MiSight 1-day contact lenses: FDA-approved soft contact lenses worn daily that are clinically proven to slow myopia progression in children
- Orthokeratology (ortho-k): specially designed lenses worn overnight that gently reshape the cornea, allowing clear daytime vision without glasses while helping slow eye growth
- Essilor Stellest lenses: the newly FDA-approved eyeglass lens designed to slow myopia progression in children, offering a spectacle-based alternative to contact lens therapies
- Atropine eye drops: low-dose prescription drops used to reduce the rate of myopia progression, often used alongside other treatments
Each of these approaches has strong clinical backing, and our team will help determine which best fits your child’s needs and comfort level.
Why Choose Vision Source Mandan for Myopia Management?
Vision Source Mandan has made myopia management a priority because we understand what’s at stake for children in our community. As a member of the Vision Source network, our practice has access to the latest advancements in myopia control technology as they become available, positioning our team to offer current, evidence-based options. We monitor each patient’s axial length and refractive changes over time, allowing us to track whether treatment is working and adjust as needed.
Our doctors also recognize that children learn, play, and grow through their vision. Protecting that long-term is not just a clinical goal, it’s a commitment to the quality of life of every young patient who walks through our doors. We pair every myopia management plan with regular comprehensive eye exams to ensure nothing goes unnoticed as your child grows.
Schedule a Myopia Evaluation at Vision Source Mandan
Vision Source Mandan has served families across Bismarck, Mandan, and the broader North Dakota region since 1950, and our approach to myopia management reflects that same long-standing commitment to thorough, personalized care. Whether your child was recently diagnosed as nearsighted or you’ve noticed their prescription changing year after year, our team is here to help you understand what’s happening and what options are available.
We make it easy for families to get the answers they need and the care their children deserve. To schedule a myopia evaluation or learn more about our treatment options, contact our office today.
