Myopia Control in Saratoga Springs, NY
Myopia — or nearsightedness — is growing at a rapid pace among children and teens worldwide, and its progression can significantly impact vision health for life. At Saratoga Vision in Saratoga Springs, NY, we offer proven, evidence-based myopia control treatments designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children, reducing the risk of high myopia and associated vision complications in adulthood. Call (518) 587-5900 to schedule your child’s myopia control consultation today.
Book OnlineUnderstanding Myopia and Why It Matters
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than on it. The result is clear near vision but blurry distance vision — difficulty seeing the board at school, recognizing faces across the street, or reading road signs while driving. Myopia is diagnosed during a routine comprehensive eye exam and is typically corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
What many parents don’t realize is that simply correcting myopia with standard glasses or contacts does not slow its progression. In many children, myopia worsens significantly each year — sometimes by half a diopter or more — until early adulthood. High myopia (prescriptions of -6.00 diopters or greater) significantly increases the lifetime risk of serious eye diseases including retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. The goal of myopia control is to intervene early and reduce the total amount of myopia a child develops over time.
Risk Factors for Myopia Progression
Children with the following factors are at higher risk for rapid myopia progression and are ideal candidates for myopia control:
- One or both parents with myopia (especially high myopia)
- Early onset of myopia — the younger a child develops myopia, the more it tends to progress
- Significant amounts of near work (reading, tablets, phones) with little time spent outdoors
- Asian ethnicity (myopia rates are particularly high in East Asian populations)
- Rapid annual prescription increases at prior eye exams
Our Myopia Control Options
MiSight® 1 Day Contact Lenses
MiSight® 1 day by CooperVision is the first and only FDA-approved soft contact lens designed to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8 to 12 at initiation of treatment. These daily disposable lenses use patented ActivControl® Technology — a dual-focus design that simultaneously corrects distance vision and delivers peripheral myopic defocus to signal the eye to slow its elongation. Clinical studies over three years demonstrated an average 59% reduction in myopia progression and a 52% reduction in axial eye length growth. Over six years, children wearing MiSight 1 day progressed less than 1.00D on average. Ninety percent of children and parents reported satisfaction with the lenses.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K / Paragon CRT® Lenses)
Ortho-K uses custom rigid gas-permeable lenses worn only during sleep to gently reshape the cornea overnight. Upon waking and removing the lenses, patients enjoy clear vision without any daytime glasses or contacts. Paragon CRT® is the most established brand of orthokeratology lens and has been shown to significantly slow the elongation of the eye in children. Ortho-K is particularly popular for active children who do not want to deal with glasses or daytime contacts during sports and activities. Learn more about our dedicated Ortho-K services page.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine (0.01% to 0.05%) eye drops have been shown in multiple clinical studies to slow myopia progression significantly with minimal side effects. Applied once nightly, they work through a mechanism not yet fully understood but believed to involve signaling in the retina and choroid that reduces axial elongation. Low-dose atropine is often used in combination with other myopia control methods for patients with rapidly progressing myopia.
Increased Outdoor Time
Research consistently shows that children who spend more time outdoors — ideally 90 minutes or more per day — develop myopia less frequently and progress more slowly. Exposure to bright natural light and time spent focusing at distance are both protective. While outdoor time alone is not a standalone treatment, we incorporate this recommendation into every myopia management conversation.
Starting Myopia Control
The earlier myopia control is initiated, the greater the potential benefit — since there are more years of active progression to slow. If your child has been diagnosed with myopia or is showing early signs of nearsightedness, schedule a myopia control consultation at Saratoga Vision promptly. Our optometrists will evaluate your child’s current prescription, rate of progression, and lifestyle to recommend the most appropriate treatment. Call (518) 587-5900 to book your appointment in Saratoga Springs, NY today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Myopia Control
What is myopia control and why is it important?
Myopia control refers to evidence-based treatments designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. Standard glasses and contacts correct vision but do not slow the underlying process of eye elongation. Myopia control treatments — including MiSight® contact lenses, Ortho-K, and low-dose atropine — can significantly reduce how much myopia a child develops over time. This matters because high myopia significantly increases the lifetime risk of serious eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
At what age should myopia control start?
Myopia control is most impactful when started early — ideally as soon as myopia is detected and while it is actively progressing. The MiSight® 1 day lens is FDA-approved for children aged 8 to 12 at initiation of treatment, though myopia control strategies can be implemented in younger or older children using other methods. The earlier treatment begins, the more years of progression can be slowed and the lower the final prescription is likely to be. Schedule a pediatric eye exam at Saratoga Vision to assess your child’s myopia risk.
What are MiSight® 1 day lenses and how do they work?
MiSight® 1 day by CooperVision are FDA-approved daily disposable contact lenses that use ActivControl® Technology to correct myopia and simultaneously slow its progression. The lens design creates peripheral myopic defocus — a signal that tells the eye to slow its axial elongation. Clinical trials over three years showed an average 59% reduction in myopia progression and 52% reduction in axial eye growth. They are comfortable, convenient daily disposables that 90% of children preferred over glasses after three years of wear.
Is Ortho-K safe for children?
Yes. Ortho-K has been used safely in children for many years and is a well-established myopia control approach. The lenses are worn only during sleep and removed upon waking. When worn and cared for properly — with appropriate hygiene and regular follow-up visits at Saratoga Vision — Ortho-K is a safe and effective option for children aged 8 and up. As with all contact lens wear, proper hygiene is essential, and parents play an important role in supervising younger children’s lens care routines. Learn more on our Ortho-K page.
Can adults benefit from myopia control?
Myopia control treatments are primarily targeted at children and teens during the years of active myopia progression, which typically slow or stop in the early-to-mid twenties. However, adults with myopia can still benefit from managing associated risks — including regular monitoring for early signs of retinal changes, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Adults interested in reducing dependence on glasses may also explore Ortho-K for daily vision freedom or LASIK co-management for permanent correction.
Does spending more time outdoors really help prevent myopia?
Yes — research consistently shows that children who spend more time outdoors develop myopia at lower rates and progress more slowly than those who spend most of their time on near activities indoors. The protective effect is thought to be related to exposure to bright natural light, which influences dopamine release in the retina and slows eye elongation. The recommended target is at least 90 minutes of outdoor time per day. Outdoor activity alone is not a standalone clinical treatment but is recommended alongside proven myopia control therapies.
How do I know which myopia control treatment is right for my child?
The best treatment depends on your child’s age, prescription strength, rate of progression, lifestyle, and willingness to wear contact lenses. Our optometrists at Saratoga Vision will conduct a thorough evaluation — including corneal topography and refraction history — to recommend the most appropriate approach. Some children do best with MiSight® 1 day contacts, others prefer the freedom of Ortho-K, and some may benefit from low-dose atropine drops, either alone or in combination with other treatments. Call (518) 587-5900 to schedule your child’s myopia control consultation.