Myopia Management
Nearsightedness can progress quietly as children grow. Our myopia management program is designed to slow that progression with evidence-based treatment, close monitoring, and a level of follow-through that leaves less to chance.
Protecting the Future of Their Vision
Myopia is more than needing stronger glasses. It often develops as the eye grows too long, which can increase the risk of serious eye health concerns later in life.
Our approach goes beyond correcting vision today. We identify progression early, use proven treatment options, and monitor your child closely, helping slow myopia progression while supporting clearer sight now and healthier eyes for the future.
How We Help Manage Myopia
A Higher Standard for Myopia Care
Your child’s care is guided by an IACMM-accredited optometrist, an advanced international accreditation in myopia management and orthokeratology.
Myopia is not just a stronger prescription, it’s the eye growing too long. That distinction matters because procedures like LASIK may reduce dependence on glasses later in life, but they do not undo the eye growth associated with childhood myopia.
Our myopia management program is built around proven treatment options, some shown to slow progression by up to 85%. By starting early, we can help slow that growth while your child’s eyes are still developing, giving them a stronger foundation for lifelong vision.
How We Slow Myopia
Personalized, Evidence-Based Care
Myopia management is not one-size-fits-all. The best treatment depends on your child’s age, prescription, eye health, lifestyle, and how quickly their vision is changing.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Custom overnight lenses designed to help slow myopia progression by gently reshaping the cornea while your child sleeps. It also helps your child to see clearly during the day without glasses or daytime contacts.
MiSight® Contact Lenses
FDA-approved daily soft contact lenses designed to correct vision while helping slow myopia progression in age-appropriate children.
Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose prescription drops used to help reduce myopia progression, often paired with glasses or contact lenses for clear daytime vision.
Stellest™ Lenses
FDA-authorized eyeglass lenses designed to correct vision while helping slow pediatric myopia progression. We are proud to be among the early practices in the United States offering this option.
Combination Treatment
In some cases, treatments may be combined or adjusted over time based on how your child’s eyes respond.
When It Is Time to Talk About Myopia
The Prescription Is Worsening
If your child’s glasses prescription keeps getting stronger, it may be time to discuss options beyond simply updating lenses.
Distance Looks Blurry
If your child is squinting, sitting closer to screens, or struggling to see the board clearly, nearsightedness may be changing.
There Is Family History
Children with nearsighted parents may have a higher risk of developing or progressing in myopia.
They Are Still Growing
Myopia often progresses most during childhood and teenage years. Careful monitoring during this window can make a meaningful difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is myopia management best for?
Myopia management is best for children whose nearsightedness is developing or getting worse, especially when the prescription is changing quickly. The goal is not just clearer vision today. It is to help slow progression and protect long-term eye health.
How long will my child need myopia management?
Most children continue myopia management through the years when their eyes are still growing. For many patients, that means treatment continues until the late teenage years, when progression usually slows or stabilizes.
Why does an IACMM accreditation matter?
Myopia management requires more than updating a glasses prescription. It involves measuring progression, choosing the right treatment, fitting lenses carefully when needed, and adjusting the plan over time.
IACMM accreditation reflects advanced training in myopia management and helps guide our treatment approach. It is one more way we make sure your child’s care is thoughtful, structured, and closely monitored.
How much can myopia management help?
Myopia management cannot reverse eye elongation that has already happened, so treatment is focused on slowing future progression.
Many children see a meaningful reduction in progression, often more than 50%, depending on the treatment used, how consistently it is followed, and how the child’s eyes respond.
That matters because higher levels of myopia are linked with a higher lifetime risk of certain eye diseases. Slowing progression may help reduce how high your child’s prescription becomes over time. The chart below shows how risk changes at different levels of myopia.
| Eye Disease | -1.00 | -3.00 | -6.00 | -10.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myopic Macular Degeneration | 1.9x | 6.5x | 42.8x | 523x |
| Retinal Detachment | 1.4x | 2.9x | 8.6x | 35.8x |
| Glaucoma | 1.4x | 2.7x | 7.2x | 26.9x |
| Cumulative Risk of Myopia Related Visual Impairment* | 4% | 7% | 10% | 21% |
* These percentages are approximated and only refer to myopia-related visual impairment.
Are there side effects to myopia management treatments?
Most children do very well with myopia management, but each treatment has different considerations.
Ortho-K and MiSight are contact lens-based treatments, so safe handling, cleaning when applicable, and follow-up care are important to reduce the risk of irritation or infection. Atropine drops may cause mild light sensitivity, larger pupils, or a subtle sting when the drops are put in. Stellest lenses are glasses, so they are non-invasive, though some children may need a short adjustment period.
Your doctor will review the benefits and risks of each option and help choose the treatment that makes the most sense for your child.
Which locations offer myopia management?
Myopia management is available at both our Herndon and Oakton locations. Dr. Sami Khaldieh, our myopia management specialist, sees patients at both offices and is currently accepting new patients.
We regularly care for families from Reston, Fairfax, Vienna, Tysons, Chantilly, and surrounding Northern Virginia communities.
Does insurance cover myopia management?
In most cases, myopia management is not covered by insurance. It is a specialty service focused on slowing myopia progression, not simply updating a glasses or contact lens prescription.
Before treatment begins, our team will review the cost of care with you and explain what is included, so you can make an informed decision for your child.
How long should my child wear Ortho-K lenses at night?
Most children in our Myopia Management program wear Ortho-K lenses for about 7 to 9 hours overnight. Consistent wear is important for clear daytime vision and for supporting the treatment effect.
How long should my child wear MiSight lenses during the day?
For best results, we encourage MiSight lenses to be worn about 10 to 12 hours per day, 7 days per week, unless your doctor recommends otherwise. Consistent wear helps the treatment work as intended.
Are there any studies I can read about this?
Yes. Myopia management is supported by a strong and ever growing body of research. If you would like to learn more, these are a few helpful places to start:
Myopia Management Overview
A patient-friendly overview of what myopia management is and what it is designed to do.
Ortho-K
Research on orthokeratology and its role in slowing myopia progression in children.
MiSight
A randomized clinical trial studying MiSight daily disposable contact lenses for myopia control.
Atropine
A review of atropine eye drops and their role in slowing myopia progression.
Stellest and Myopia-Control Glasses
A review of newer spectacle lens designs used for myopia control, including Stellest.
Ready to Protect Your Child's Vision?
Schedule a myopia management consultation to understand how your child’s eyes are changing, what their risk may be, and which treatment options make the most sense.