Myopia Management in Houston

The Brien Holden Myopia Calculator is a web-based educational tool developed by the Brien Holden Vision Institute. It is used to support doctors in communicating and educating parents and patients in managing myopia appropriately. It is now available in eight languages.

Clinicians can input patient age, ethnicity, and level of myopia when beginning therapy, select one of the optical or pharmacological treatment options, and the calculator will demonstrate the effect of the treatment on myopia progression, and how likely it is to progress without treatment.

CooperVision MiSight 1 day contact lenses are the first and only FDA-approved soft daily disposable contact lenses used to slow myopia progression. These lenses are specially designed to treat children with myopia.

The lenses are designed with varying lens powers in alternating rings on each lens. Several studies have shown that this lens design is effective in slowing the progression of myopia. Additionally, a study performed over 3 years reported 90% of children and parents were happy with their vision, comfort, and overall experience.

Orthokeratology is the use of specially designed rigid gas-permeable contact lenses to gently reshape the cornea. It is a non-surgical, non-invasive, and reversible technique used to slow the progression of myopia. This treatment can be compared to braces for your teeth because it reshapes the eye’s surface, creating clear vision. The effects are temporary, and you will need to wear a retainer contact lens nightly to maintain good vision.

The lenses are worn overnight during sleep, flattening the center of the cornea to change how light is bent as it enters the eye. Once the lenses are removed in the morning, the slight change in the curvature of the corneal surface results in clear vision during waking hours, thus eliminating the need of daytime contact lenses or glasses.

Low-dose atropine is a chemical administered in the form of eye drops to help slow the progression of myopia. Although it is not certain why a small amount of atropine helps halt myopia, researchers hypothesize that the chemical binds to the growth receptors in the eyes and blocks the stimulation that prompts the condition.

Studies show that low-dose atropine eye drops administered at bedtime can significantly slow the progression of myopia in children.

Bifocal or multifocal eyeglasses have varying degrees of lens power in each lens, typically with the lower half of the lens for near vision and the top for distance. It has been suggested that making it easier for the eyes to adjust between near and far distances, referred to as an accommodative response, can help to slow the progression of myopia.

Studies have shown that an average of 90 minutes to two hours of outdoor time for younger children can reduce the risk of myopia. At Vision Optique, we recommend limiting your child’s handheld device usage and to encourage them to take regular breaks. Healthy digital habits can play a significant role in reducing eye strain and slowing the development of myopia.

Learn More