Berkeley Eye Center - Houston LASIK and Eye Care

Berkeley Eye Center - Houston LASIK and Eye Care

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Protect Your Child’s Vision with Expert Myopia Control

Slow Myopia Progression in Houston. Trusted by Texans for Over 60 Years

  • FDA-Authorized Stellest® Lenses, MiSight® Contacts, Ortho-K & Atropine Therapy
  • Reduce Risk of Future Eye Disease & High Prescriptions
  • Experienced Pediatric Eye Care Specialists
Schedule Your Child’s Myopia Consultation Learn About MiSight® Lenses

Taking Control of Your Child’s Myopia: Expert Care in Houston

Is your child’s nearsightedness (myopia) getting stronger with each eye exam, especially with today’s screen-focused lifestyle? You’re not alone. Myopia is increasingly common in children, and its progression can lead to higher prescriptions and an increased risk of serious eye health problems later in life.

What Parents Need to Know About Myopia Control

  • Myopia (nearsightedness) in children often worsens each year as the eye grows longer
  • Myopia control treatments can slow progression by 30-60%, reducing future prescription strength
  • FDA-authorized and approved options include spectacle lenses (Stellest®), daily contact lenses (MiSight®), overnight lenses (Ortho-K), and low-dose atropine drops
  • Early intervention (ages 6-12) is most effective — waiting until high school may be too late
  • High myopia increases lifelong risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and vision loss

At Berkeley Eye Center, our dedicated Houston eye care professionals specialize in myopia control for children. We offer advanced, proven treatments to actively slow down the worsening of your child’s nearsightedness. Partner with us to protect your child’s vision and invest in their long-term eye health.

On This Page

What Is Myopia and How Does It Affect Children?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry, while close-up items remain clear. This happens when the eye grows too long from front to back, or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia is not the same as astigmatism. Myopia means the eye is too long front-to-back, causing distance blur. Astigmatism means the cornea is unevenly curved. A child can have both conditions.

Common signs of myopia in children include:

  • Difficulty seeing the whiteboard or screen projections in class.
  • Persistent squinting.
  • Seeming unaware of distant objects.
  • Frequent eye rubbing.
  • Sitting very close to the television or holding screens close.

Living with progressive myopia can be challenging, impacting school performance, enjoyment of activities, and potentially leading to eye strain or headaches.

Why Early Myopia Management Is Crucial for Your Child

Myopia Control for Kids 2

Simply giving your child stronger glasses each year doesn’t stop their eyes from elongating and their myopia from worsening. Proactive myopia management with Berkeley Eye Center aims to slow this progression. This is vital because:

  • Reduces Future Prescription Strength: Effective management can lead to a significantly lower and more stable prescription in adulthood.
  • Lowers Long-Term Eye Health Risks: High myopia is a significant risk factor for serious eye conditions later in life, such as:
  • Retinal Detachment
  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts (developing at an earlier age)
  • Myopic Maculopathy (damage to the central retina)
  • Enhances Quality of Life: Less reliance on thick, strong glasses can improve comfort and confidence for sports and daily activities.
Myopia in Children
Myopia Management Options for Children

Why Regular Glasses Aren’t Enough

Standard single-vision glasses or contact lenses correct your child’s blurry distance vision so they can see clearly today — but they do nothing to slow the worsening of their myopia. In fact, some research suggests that standard correction may contribute to continued eye elongation.

Myopia control treatments actively work to slow the biological progression of the eye growing too long, reducing how much worse their prescription becomes over time. Think of it this way: regular glasses are like using reading glasses for presbyopia — they help you see, but they don’t stop the condition from progressing. Myopia control is preventive treatment that changes the trajectory.

Understanding the Causes: Genetics & Lifestyle

Both genetics and modern lifestyle play a role in myopia development:

  • Genetics: The likelihood of a child developing myopia increases if one or both parents are nearsighted.
  • Lifestyle Factors:
  • Increased time spent on near-work activities (digital devices, reading).
  • Insufficient time spent outdoors (research suggests outdoor time can be protective).
  • Cataracts (developing at an earlier age)
  • Poor lighting levels during near work.

Berkeley Eye Center’s Myopia Control Solutions

While traditional glasses and contact lenses correct blurry distance vision, they may not slow down, and some studies suggest they might even contribute to myopia progression over time. At Berkeley Eye Center, we offer evidence-based treatments proven to effectively slow myopia in children.

We recommend starting myopia control at the onset of diagnosed, progressive myopia. The earlier the intervention, the less myopic your child may become, reducing their risk for future eye health issues. Our most popular and effective options include:

MiSight® 1 Day Contact Lenses

  • How We Use Them: Berkeley Eye Center is proud to offer MiSight® 1 day, the first FDA-approved daily disposable soft contact lens specifically designed to slow the progression of myopia in children (typically aged 8-12 at the start of treatment). These lenses have special optical zones that correct distance vision while simultaneously creating peripheral defocus, which signals the eye to slow its elongation.
  • Benefits for Your Child: Provides clear vision throughout the day and proven myopia control in one convenient, hygienic daily disposable lens. MiSight® lenses are a type of multifocal soft contact lens, but unlike standard multifocal lenses for adults, they use ActivControl® Technology specifically proven to slow myopia progression in children.
MiSight contact lenses Houston
Stellest lenses Houston

Essilor® Stellest® Lenses

  • How We Use Them: Berkeley Eye Center is proud to offer Essilor® Stellest® lenses, an innovative and FDA-authorized spectacle lens designed specifically to slow the progression of myopia in children.  These lenses use advanced H.A.L.T. (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target) technology.
  • Benefits for Your Child: Stellest® lenses correct your child’s nearsightedness while proactively slowing progression. Clinical studies show they slow myopia by 71% on average compared to standard lenses — one of the most effective optical options available. They’re easy to wear like regular glasses.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) / Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT)

  • How We Use Them: Our specialists at Berkeley Eye Center custom-design Ortho-K lenses (also known as Corneal Refractive Therapy or CRT). Ortho-K lenses are a type of rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens, but unlike standard RGP lenses, they are specifically designed to reshape the cornea overnight. Upon waking, your child removes the lenses and can typically see clearly throughout the day without needing glasses or daytime contacts.
  • Benefits for Your Child: Offers the dual benefit of glasses-free daytime vision and effective myopia progression control. Requires careful fitting and diligent hygiene.
Ortho-K for kids Houston
Atropine eye drops myopia

Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops

  • How We Use Them: Our doctors may prescribe a very low concentration of atropine eye drops, administered once nightly. While the exact mechanism is still researched, it’s proven effective in slowing eye elongation and myopia progression.
  • Benefits for Your Child: A simple, easy-to-use treatment. Your child continues to wear their regular glasses or contacts during the day for vision correction.

Compare Your Myopia Control Options

Treatment

How It Works

Best For

Key Benefits

Commitment Level

MiSight® 1 Day

Daily disposable contact lenses with dual-focus optics

Ages 8-12, active kids who want daytime freedom

FDA-approved, proven 59% slower progression, convenient daily disposal

Daily lens insertion (parental help initially)

Stellest® Lenses

Specialized spectacle lenses with H.A.L.T. technology slow eye elongation.

Kids who prefer glasses; a powerful non-invasive option for all ages.

FDA-authorized, slows progression by 71% on average, corrects vision, easy to use.

Daily wear (at least 10 hours per day, 6 days a week).

Ortho-K (CRT)

Rigid lenses worn overnight reshape cornea temporarily

Kids 7+ who want no daytime glasses/contacts

Glasses-free days, reversible, effective control

Nightly wear, rigorous cleaning routine

Atropine Drops

Low-dose drops slow eye elongation

Any age, works with current glasses/contacts

Easiest method, one drop nightly

Nightly application, photosensitivity possible

Is Your Child a Candidate for Myopia Control at Berkeley Eye Center?

Your child may be a good candidate for our myopia control program if they:

  • Show a consistent increase in their nearsighted prescription at eye exams.
  • Were diagnosed with myopia at a young age (typically before age 10-12).
  • Have parents with myopia.
  • Are motivated (with parental support) to use eye drops or specialty contact lenses.

A comprehensive eye exam and myopia evaluation with our specialists will determine their suitability and the best treatment strategy.

The Myopia Control Journey with Berkeley Eye Center

Partnering with us for myopia control involves a supportive, ongoing process:

  1. Initial Consultation & Evaluation: Thorough eye exam, precise measurements, discussion of risk factors and lifestyle.
  2. Personalized Treatment Plan: Our specialist will explain the best myopia control options for your child and family.
  3. Treatment Initiation & Training: If specialty lenses are chosen, we provide careful fitting and comprehensive training on insertion, removal, and hygiene. For atropine, we provide clear instructions.
  4. Regular Progress Checks: Essential follow-up appointments (typically every 3-6 months) allow us to monitor vision, eye health, treatment effectiveness, and make any necessary adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Myopia Control Program

We typically evaluate and can start myopia control treatments once progressive myopia is identified, often in children aged 6-12, but it can be beneficial for older teens as well if progression continues. Early intervention is key.

Yes. Low-dose atropine, MiSight® 1 day contact lenses, and Ortho-K, when prescribed and monitored by our experienced eye care professionals, are considered safe and effective with minimal side effects for most children.

Treatment usually continues throughout the years when myopia is most likely to worsen, often until the late teens or early twenties when eye growth typically stabilizes. Our doctors will guide you.

Coverage varies. While comprehensive eye exams may be covered, specific myopia control treatments like atropine drops or specialty lenses are often considered elective and may have out-of-pocket costs. Our team can help you explore potential benefits.

No, current myopia control methods aim to slow or stop the progression of nearsightedness, not reverse what has already occurred. The goal is to prevent it from getting significantly worse.

Clinical studies show myopia control treatments can slow progression by 30-60% on average compared to standard glasses or contacts. MiSight® lenses, for example, have been shown to reduce myopia progression by 59% over three years in FDA trials. Individual results vary based on the treatment chosen, how consistently it’s used, and your child’s unique eye growth patterns.

Yes! MiSight® daily contact lenses are ideal for active kids and sports — no glasses to break or fog up. Ortho-K is also excellent for sports because your child won’t need any vision correction during the day. Atropine drops don’t interfere with sports at all, though some children may need sunglasses outdoors due to mild light sensitivity.

If treatment is discontinued, your child’s myopia will likely resume progressing at its natural rate. The progression that was prevented during treatment remains prevented, but future worsening is no longer controlled. This is why we recommend continuing treatment through the teen years when eye growth is most active.

Both are highly effective, but the best choice depends on your child’s age, lifestyle, and comfort level. MiSight® lenses are FDA-approved daily disposables worn during the day (convenient, hygienic). Ortho-K lenses are worn only at night and provide glasses-free daytime vision (ideal for very active kids or contact-averse children). Our specialists will help you choose based on your child’s specific needs.

Yes, prolonged near-work activities like screen time, reading, and homework are associated with myopia progression. While myopia control treatments address the biological progression, we also recommend limiting recreational screen time, taking frequent breaks (20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds), and encouraging at least 90-120 minutes of outdoor time daily, which research shows may have protective effects.

Myopia typically stabilizes in the late teens to early twenties as eye growth slows. However, some individuals continue to experience progression into their mid-twenties or beyond. This is why we recommend continuing myopia control treatment until your child’s prescription has been stable for at least 1-2 years.

Take the Next Step for Your Child’s Vision

Invest in your child’s long-term eye health. If you are concerned about their increasing nearsightedness, schedule a comprehensive evaluation with our myopia control specialists at Berkeley Eye Center in Houston.

Schedule Your Child’s Myopia Control Consultation