Your Child’s Prescription Doesn’t Have to Keep Getting Worse
Myopia Management FAQs
Your Child’s Prescription Is Getting Stronger Every Year—There Is Something You Can Do
If your child's prescription has been getting stronger every year, you are probably used to hearing the same answer: they need new glasses. But updating the prescription does not slow the progression. Myopia in children is not just a vision correction problem; it is a structural change in the eye that compounds over time.
- High myopia increases the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration in adulthood
- The younger a child develops myopia, the more it is likely to progress—early intervention produces better long-term outcomes
Myopia management does not cure nearsightedness. What it does is slow the rate of progression during the years when the eye is still growing, which can make a significant difference in how much myopia your child develops by the time their eyes stabilize in their early twenties.
Myopia Management vs. Glasses: What’s the Difference?
Standard glasses and contact lenses correct your child's vision so they can see clearly. They do not change what is happening inside the eye. Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of on it. Standard lenses compensate for that; they do not address the underlying growth.
Myopia management uses clinically validated treatments that have been shown to slow the elongation of the eye during childhood. At Focus Vision, Dr. Alexa Gutierrez is certified in the Brilliant Futures™ MiSight® Program and provides myopia evaluations, treatment planning, and long-term monitoring for children whose myopia is progressing.
MiSight® Contact Lenses: FDA-Approved Myopia Management
MiSight® 1 day is a daily disposable soft contact lens designed specifically to slow myopia progression in children. Here is what parents need to know:
MiSight® is FDA-approved for children aged 8 to 12 at the start of treatment. Dr. Gutierrez will assess whether your child is a candidate based on their prescription, rate of progression, and maturity level for contact lens wear. Some children are ready earlier or later than others—a consultation will determine the right timing for your child specifically.
MiSight® is a daily disposable soft contact lens. It is not placed overnight and does not reshape the cornea. The lenses are worn during waking hours and discarded at the end of each day; no cleaning solution is required. Most children who can handle standard daily disposable contact lenses can wear MiSight®.
In the Brilliant Futures™ clinical study, children using MiSight® showed an average of 59% less myopia progression compared to children using standard single-vision contact lenses. Results vary by individual. The earlier treatment begins, the greater the opportunity to limit total prescription growth. Myopia management slows progression; it does not stop it entirely or reverse existing myopia.
Coverage for myopia management varies by plan. Some vision plans include a contact lens benefit that may apply toward MiSight® lenses. Others treat myopia management as elective and do not cover the program costs. Call Focus Vision at (303) 651-2020 before your consultation to discuss what your plan may cover and what out-of-pocket costs to expect.
Step 1: Myopia Evaluation
Dr. Gutierrez evaluates your child's prescription history, eye measurements, and rate of progression to determine whether they are a candidate for myopia management. Not every child with myopia needs a management program, but children whose prescription is changing significantly year over year are most likely to benefit from early intervention.
Step 2: MiSight® Fitting & Training
Step 3: Ongoing Monitoring
Children using MiSight® are monitored at regular intervals, typically every six to twelve months, to track prescription changes, assess eye measurements, and evaluate how well the treatment is working. Adjustments are made based on how your child’s eyes respond over time.
Step 4: Long-Term Outcome
Myopia management is a long-term commitment. The goal is to keep your child’s prescription as low as possible by the time their eye growth stabilizes, typically in the late teens or early twenties. A lower final prescription means a lower lifetime risk of myopia-related eye disease.
Risk Factors for Rapid Myopia Progression
Some children are at higher risk for rapid myopia progression. Speak with Dr. Gutierrez if your child has any of the following:
- Both parents are myopic (nearsighted)
- Myopia developed before age 10
- Prescription is changing by more than 0.50 diopters per year
- Significant amount of near work and screen time
- Limited time spent outdoors each day
- Current prescription already higher than -3.00 diopters
Schedule a Myopia Management Consultation
If your child’s prescription has changed at their last one or two eye exams, a myopia management consultation with Dr. Gutierrez is a practical next step. Call (303) 651-2020 or book online to schedule. Focus Vision is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 1630 Hover Street, Suite A in Longmont.