What is Myopia?
Myopia—also known as nearsightedness— is a very common condition of the eye that is growing more prevalent in recent years. It affects about 1/3 of adults in the U.S. (and a much higher number of adults in Asia). The condition is known to run in families—so if a parent has myopia, it’s likely that their offspring may develop it as well.
Myopia is called a refractive error. The condition can lead to some serious problems and is linked with increased risk of:
Retinal detachment Glaucoma Cataracts Myopic degeneration (a spectrum of abnormalities affecting several structures of the eye)
What Is a Refractive Error?
A refractive error is a condition in which the eye does not function properly in the way it bends light. This process of bending light is called refraction.
Myopia causes far away images to look unclear. That’s because myopic eyeballs are usually too long, so light from objects in myopic eyes end up focusing in front of the retina, instead of ON the retina, leading to a blurred image.
Children and Myopia
According to a 2018 study published in the journal Clinical Opthalmology, nearly 41.9% of kids today in the United States (from age 5 through 19) are considered myopic.
Some attribute the rise in myopia to the fact that children are spending more time indoors in front of digital screens (such as smartphones, computers, and tablets) these days. This may signal children’s eyes to grow longer than normal, leading to progressive myopia.
However, the results of studies examining this factor mixed.
In children, myopia is usually diagnosed between the ages of 8 and 12. The condition often worsens during the teenage years.
Myopia tends to plateau when people are in their 30s, as the eyes have generally stopped developing by then.
And an individual who develops severe myopia during childhood is at higher risk (compared to other kids) of developing other eye conditions (such as cataracts or detached retina) once they reach adulthood.
MiSight Contacts for Children
In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of the use of MiSight contact lenses for children between the ages of 8 to 12 years old. The contacts, made by a company called CooperVision, are meant to be worn as a first line of treatment for children with myopia.
MiSight helps slow down the progression of myopia in kids that have refractive deficits without other types of eye problems.
MiSight lenses are not intended to be worn overnight. A single soft contact is to be worn and then discarded at the end of the day.
How MiSight Works
MiSight works to help slow down the progression of myopia in kids with myopic ametropia (blurry vision from nearsightedness).
MiSight lenses are placed directly on the eye:
One part of the lens helps correct the refractive error and improve distance vision in children who are nearsighted (just like a regular corrective lens works). The peripheral part of the lens is uniquely designed to direct some of the light to focus in front of the retina, which inhibits the stimulus for eye growth.
Who Qualifies for MiSight Lenses?
Keep in mind that MiSight lenses will not automatically be recommended for every child who has myopia. There is a specific refraction rate—of 0.75 to 4.00—that a child must exhibit to be considered.
According to a 2019 news release by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), MiSight could help lower the risk of children developing other eye problems such as retinal detachment and other conditions.
MiSight lenses should be worn for as long as myopia is considered to be a risk. But, according to Myopia Prevention.org, missing a day (on occasion) of wearing the lenses will not adversely impact the long term treatment goals.
Side Effects
Just like wearing regular contact lenses, the greatest risk of wearing MiSight lenses is reported as infection and abrasion to the cornea (the outermost layer of the eye).
It’s important to emphasize that children, in particular, need to practice proper lens hygiene to avoid infection.
Following instructions on how to care for the lenses, how long to wear them, and adhering to regular follow up eye care visits all aid in lowering the risk of side effects from MiSight lenses.
Study
A 2019 study found that children aged 8 to 12 with myopia (enrolled in a 3-year, double-masked randomized study) experienced an improvement in myopia. The study results showed that MiSight daily disposable soft contact lenses slowed changes in refraction and axial length.
The axial length of the eye is a measurement that denotes the distance between the anterior (front) and posterior (back) poles of the eye, which is a measurement of the distance between the outside surface of the cornea and the fovea. The fovea is an area within the retina of the eye.
Myopia is caused by increased axial length or excessive eyeball elongation and growth. The study was said to have demonstrated the effectiveness of MiSight lenses.
A Word From Verywell
While the effectiveness of MiSight contact lenses for myopia prevention in children is backed by some credible medical research, it’s important to understand that there is no guarantee that they will work for your child.
The eye may not respond as well as anticipated.Some children experience better results from MiSight lens treatment than others.
