Myopia Management

A brief description of the Myopia Management services available at Vision Source Mandan.

If you are concerned that your child’s prescription is getting worse every year, we can help! Dr. Brittany Schauer and Dr. Wayne Aberle are Certified Eye Care Professionals for the Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program near Bismarck, ND and near Mandan, ND. This program is FDA-approved to slow the progression of nearsightedness,  medically known as myopia, by using the CooperVision MiSight^® 1-Day contact lens. Call our office to schedule an appointment for your child today!

What is Myopia?

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, is the inability to see things clearly unless they’re situated close to your eyes. This makes distant objects appear blurry. Myopia usually develops when the eye grows too long from front to back, with this measurement known as axial length. Most commonly, myopia is diagnosed around the ages of 5 to 7 with most patients experiencing worsening until age 12 to 16.

Myopia is the most common refractive error among children and young adults. It’s estimated that close to 30% of the world’s population is currently myopic. It is predicted that by the year 2050, close to 50% of the world’s population will be myopic. That’s over 5 billion people and another topic that is worthy of “global pandemic” status.

Most patients with this refractive condition wear eyeglasses or contacts to correct their vision. However, myopia is more than an inconvenience; it can pose a serious risk to your child’s long-term ocular health. If the myopia continues to progress as your child grows, it can cause your child to be at higher risk of developing serious eye diseases later in life such as retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. By the year 2050, it is estimated that 55.7 million people will be visual impairment due to myopia maculopathy and that 18.5 million will be blind from it. Fortunately, we can now do something about these staggering statistics!

What is Myopia Management?

Myopia Management, sometimes called Myopia Control, is a series of treatments that are expected to slow the axial elongation of the eye, thereby slowing the progression of myopia. It is not expected to reverse myopia and not expected to stop it completely.  These treatments can include eye drops and specific contact lenses and, in some cases, specific eyeglasses.  Myopia Management also helps make you aware of environmental influences that might cause your child’s myopia to get worse. Current research indicates that spending more time outdoors and less time on digital devices can make a positive influence on reducing myopia progression.

Not only is myopia management expected to reduce the risk of future ocular disease, but it is also expected to allow your child to enjoy a smaller refractive error (having glasses that aren’t as thick!).

Dr. Brittany Schauer and Dr. Wayne Aberle will work individually with your child through the Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program using the CooperVision MiSight^® 1-Day contact lens. These contacts are FDA-approved to slow the progression of myopia in children age 8 to 12 at initiation of treatment.

 

Is my child a candidate for Myopia Management?

During your child’s eye exam at Vision Source Mandan, your doctor will discuss and determine if your child is potentially at risk for myopia progression. If appropriate, we are happy to schedule your child for a Myopia Management Consultation to determine if they are a good candidate for Myopia Management. This visit provides additional specialized testing required for the management options.