Myopia Management and Ortho-K
in Austin, TX
Orthokeratology and Myopia Control Near Austin, TX
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common condition in patients of all ages. Although it’s generally corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgeries like LASIK and PRK in adults, controlling its progression in children is essential for their future eye health, which is why we offer several options to help manage childhood myopia.
Our Myopia Control Experts
Bristol Family Eyecare is led by Dan Bristol, O.D., an optometrist with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Bristol and our team offer customized treatment options to slow down the progression of childhood myopia, as well as addressing myopia in adults. We’ll work closely with you and your family to develop a treatment plan that provides the best possible results for your child.
About Myopia
Myopia occurs when the eye shape is too long, or the cornea — the clear front surface of the eye — is too steeply curved. This means that light coming into the eyes does not focus (refract) directly onto the retina, so objects up close will appear clear while those farther away will appear blurry and out of focus.
Though myopia tends to worsen during childhood and adolescence, it can be controlled with treatments like atropine drops, multifocal contact lenses, and orthokeratology, also known as Ortho-K or CRT.
Atropine Drops
for Myopia Control
In higher concentrations, atropine drops are used to dilate the pupil and to treat amblyopia. In lower concentrations, however, they’re used as a treatment that significantly slows the progression of myopia in children when administered at bedtime during the eye’s growth years. Children experience no side effects from these drops, although they will still need their glasses.
Multifocal Contact Lenses for Myopia Control
Although multifocal lenses are commonly worn by adults with presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), these types of contacts can also be used to manage myopia. While single-vision contact lenses can help a nearsighted child see more clearly, they don’t actually treat the problem in a meaningful way.
Multifocal lenses slow myopia progression by changing the eye’s focusing power in certain parts of the visual field, which signals a decrease in the rate by which the eye grows.
Ortho-K for Myopia Control
At Bristol Family Eyecare, we’re committed to providing you with an exceptional experience, no matter the reason for your visit. To do this, we take the time to get to know you in order to best meet your needs, and we stay on top of the latest advances in our industry to make sure that you and your family can trust the care they receive from our team.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common condition in patients of all ages. Although it’s generally corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgeries like LASIK and PRK in adults, controlling its progression in children is essential for their future eye health, which is why we offer several options to help manage childhood myopia.
Candidates for Ortho-K
Ortho-K therapy can be used for adults under the age of 45 with a low degree of myopia to reduce dependence on corrective eyewear during the day. Depending on your vision prescription, it could take a few days or weeks to see intended results.
Ortho-K is proven to be extremely effective in slowing the progression of myopia in children. The ideal candidates are children under the age of 16 with worsening prescriptions, and whose parents are also nearsighted.
Long-Term Benefits of
Ortho-K for Children
While myopia technically can’t be reversed, Ortho-K therapy helps to manage its development in children, allowing them a lower prescription as an adult. Having a higher degree of myopia can increase the risk of developing conditions like glaucoma, retinal issues, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
Since refractive surgeries like LASIK aren’t recommended until vision is stable for at least one year, Ortho-K offers a non-surgical solution for children and adults alike. In children, controlling myopia can even reduce the cost of refractive surgery later on, since higher prescriptions cost more to correct.
Ortho-K for Myopia Control
in Austin, TX
If your child is up for the responsibility of caring for a pair of specialty contacts for better vision during the day and in the future, or if you’re interested in trying Ortho-K therapy to reduce your daytime dependence on glasses or contacts, our team at Bristol Family Eyecare is happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us to schedule an Ortho K consultation!
