What is Myopia?

It’s not a word that most people use every day, but myopia is becoming an increasingly more common condition. Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is the inability to see objects clearly at a distance. 

When it comes to the prevalence of myopia, the statistics are staggering. In the U.S. alone, more than 40 percent of Americans have myopia and that number is increasing at an alarming rate, especially among school-aged children. CooperVision is helping to slow the upward trend in severity through its Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program featuring MiSight 1 day contact lenses, the first and only FDA approved* contact lens to slow myopia progression of myopia in children (aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment). A recent clinical study reveals that MiSight 1 day reduced the rate of myopia progression in that age group on average by 59% over a three-year period.

Nine-year-old Phoebe Lee knows the impact myopia can have on daily life. Phoebe had passed all her vision screenings in pre-school, but after her first eye exam at age 7, she was diagnosed with myopia and needed glasses. More concerning, her myopia was rapidly progressing. That’s when Phoebe’s mom, Patty, took her to see a certified Brilliant Futures program eye care practitioner who fitted her with MiSight 1 day. Since then, Phoebe’s life has changed for the better. “Before MiSight, I had trouble seeing the whiteboard and I couldn’t see the ball clearly when I played sports,” she said. “The contact lenses are so easy to use. In the morning, I put them in and I don’t even remember they’re there until I take them out at bedtime.” 

For Phoebe’s mom, the Brilliant Futures program offers peace of mind. Phoebe wears MiSight 1 day lenses 6 days a week, 10 hours a day—the recommended amount of time to see the most benefit. “As a parent, you want the very best for your child, and I was determined not to let myopia limit Phoebe’s life,” she explained. “It feels good knowing that her nearsightedness won’t increase as quickly.”

Click here to read more about Phoebe’s story.

*MiSight® 1 day (omafilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to 4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded after each removal.

Learn more about myopia and myopia management: Myopia Fact Sheet

Learn more about U.S. myopia progression rates: Myopia Rates on the Rise

Contact our office to schedule an evaluation for your child today!