Why is my child's eyesight getting worse every year?

Why is my child’s eyesight getting worse every year? Most parents of near-sighted or myopic children will experience having to get new glasses every year due to the prescription getting worse as the child gets older. This is a very common and expected pattern of myopia for most children, and for many years, new glasses every 6 months or every year was the only solution. In the last few years, there has been many advances in the world of myopia, especially pediatric progressive myopia. But first, let’s go over the basics.

What is Myopia?

Myopia is nearsightedness, which means that you can see close objects, but objects farther away appear blurred. Myopia occurs if the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is too curved. As a result, the light entering the eye isn’t focused correctly, and glasses or contact lenses will correct the blur.

What is Myopia Control?

“Myopia Control” is a term used to describe specific treatments to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children.

What is offered at New Jersey Eye and Ear for Myopia control?

1. Ortho-Keratology hard lenses

2. MiSight soft contact lenses

3. Atropine 0.02% eye drops

Information on the current Myopia Controls Ortho-Keratology (Paragon CRT lenses) Ortho-Keratology uses a series of custom-fitted hard contact lenses to temporarily reshape a child’s cornea. When the lenses are worn nightly, children with myopia can see clearly the next day without needing eyeglasses or contact lenses. When the child stops using the lenses, the cornea will go back to its original shape and myopia returns.

Multiple studies suggest Ortho-Keratology lenses slow the eye’s growth by nearly 53%, effectively slowing down the progression of myopia. Wearing any lenses overnight can increase the risk of infection, therefore, they require thorough cleaning and extra hygiene steps compared with disposable lenses.

MiSight Lenses (Coopervision)

MiSight lenses are the first FDA-approved contact lenses for controlling myopia progression in children. These are soft, disposable lenses that are worn during the day, and discarded at night. Patient cannot sleep in these lenses. MiSight lenses have concentric rings to redirect how light hits the retina, which tricks the eye into not growing too long. The studies show that MiSight lenses are effective in slowing myopia progression in children by 59%. To get the full recommended benefit, children must wear the MiSight lenses at least six days a week, for 10 hours a day, until they are teenagers. Like all standard lenses, Misight lenses pose a risk for corneal infection. Good contact lens hygiene can lower this risk. Atropine 0.02% Eye Drops Atropine 0.02% eye drops is clinically used to prevent the progression of myopia by strengthening the sclera (white portion of the eye) to make the eye more stable and prevent elongation. The child still has to wear eyeglasses during the treatment to see clearly. Atropine 0.02% eyes drops dosage would be 1 drop in both eyes daily. There are some side effects of stinging, blurred vision or pupil dilation. There is at least a 2-year commitment before any attempts to discontinue the eye drops after stabilizing the refractive error. The drop will not be available at any pharmacy since it has to be compounded for its specific dosage. The prescription will be sent to a compounding pharmacy, and the pharmacy would dispense the drops and assist patient with details on insurance coverages if available.

Optometrists that provide these treatments:

Dr. Jessica Lee (Englewood Location)
Dr. Ester Kohen (Clifton and Englewood Locations)

These therapies work differently for every child, so please ask your doctor which would be the most recommended and effective therapy option for your child. Many parents believe their child is “too young” for contact lenses. However, research has shown that both children (ages 8-12) and teenagers (13-17) can safely wear contact lenses. NJ

Eye and Ear Contact Lens Department will train with all first time contact lens wearers. Over a three-year period, evidence has shown a statistically significant improvement in self-perception regarding physical appearance, athletic competence, and social acceptance in children wearing contact lenses.

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