Myopia, or nearsightedness, often begins in childhood—and parents may notice their child’s prescription changing more quickly than expected. That’s where myopia control comes in. At Discover Eyecare, we offer 2 proven options to help manage progression: MiSight® contact lenses and MiyoSmart® spectacle lenses. Here’s what you need to know about how each works—and how to choose what’s right for your child.
There are different ways to approach myopia management, and it’s natural to wonder which is suitable for your child. The first step is a comprehensive children’s eye care assessment to understand their specific needs. The right choice depends on your child’s individual vision needs and lifestyle, and we are here to help you navigate the options. We believe in finding a personalized solution that fits your family.
What Is Myopia & Why Control It?
A Simple Look at Nearsightedness
Myopia happens when your child can see objects up close clearly, but things farther away appear blurry. This occurs when the eye grows a little too long from front to back. Because of this extra length, light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
During childhood and the teenage years, the eye continues to grow. This is often when we see the prescription for nearsightedness increase. A regular children’s eye exam helps us track these changes and discuss your options.
The Goal of Myopia Management
Myopia management aims to slow down the progression of nearsightedness in children and teens. The goal is to help reduce how much their prescription changes as they grow. This approach can support their long-term eye health and vision.
An Introduction to MiSight Contact Lenses
How MiSight Lenses Work
MiSight lenses are soft, daily disposable contact lenses made for children. They have a special optical design with different zones on the surface. One part of the lens corrects blurry distance vision, while the other parts help slow the eye’s growth.
This dual-focus design helps reduce the signals that encourage the eye to grow longer. Your child gets clear vision while the lens technology works to manage their myopia progression. Since they are daily disposables, your child gets a fresh, new pair every day. As they are a medical device, it is important to follow proper hygiene, as outlined by Health Canada’s contact lens safety guidelines.
The Lifestyle Fit for MiSight
These contact lenses can be a great option for active children who play sports or prefer not to wear glasses. They offer clear vision without frames getting in the way. We can help you determine if your child is ready for the responsibility of handling contact lenses during a contact lens fitting appointment.
A Look at MiyoSmart Lenses
The Technology Behind MiyoSmart
MiyoSmart uses a different approach with specialized spectacle lenses. The lenses have a central zone that corrects your child’s vision, just like standard glasses. This area is surrounded by hundreds of small, honeycomb-shaped lens segments.
These segments create a type of peripheral de-focused zone that helps tell your eye to slow the elongation of the eye. Your child sees clearly through the centre of the lens. The surrounding technology works in the background to help manage their myopia. You can learn more about how MiyoSmart lenses work and the innovative technology behind them.
Who MiyoSmart Can Help
MiyoSmart is a great choice for children who prefer to wear glasses or are not yet comfortable with contact lenses. The lenses look like regular single-vision lenses, so they are easy for kids to adapt to. They are a simple and non-invasive option for myopia control.
MiSight vs. MiyoSmart: Side-by-Side
Compare Lens Design & Approach
Both options work toward the same goal of slowing myopia progression but use different formats. This is increasingly important, as myopia is considered a growing public health issue that benefits from proactive management. It’s helpful to see their features side-by-side.
- MiSight: A soft, daily disposable contact lens that sits directly on the eye. It uses concentric rings with different powers to correct vision and manage myopia.
- MiyoSmart: A spectacle lens that sits in a glasses frame. It uses a clear central zone for vision and a honeycomb-like pattern of lens segments for myopia control.
Suitability for Age & Lifestyle
The right choice often depends on your child’s daily life and comfort level.
- MiSight contact lenses may be suitable for children who play sports, want freedom from glasses, or feel ready for the responsibility of handling lenses.
- MiyoSmart spectacle lenses are a simple option for any child who wears glasses, including younger children who may not be ready for contact lenses.
Find the Right Myopia Control Plan in Abbotsford & Chilliwack
The choice between MiSight and MiyoSmart isn’t about which one is better—it’s about which one is right for your child. We consider factors like your child’s prescription, eye health, daily activities, and personal preference. Our team offers both options so we can find a personalized fit.
We take the time to discuss the benefits of each with you and your child. We can help you make a choice that fits your family’s needs. The goal is a comfortable and effective myopia management plan.
Your First Step Toward Myopia Control
A children’s eye exam is the best place to begin. During this visit, we’ll check your child’s vision and overall eye health to see if they may benefit from myopia control.
From there, our optometrists can explain the options—MiSight® contact lenses, MiyoSmart® spectacle lenses, or both—and answer your questions.As your local eye care team in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, Discover Eyecare is here to support your family every step of the way.
Book your child’s eye exam today, and let’s create a myopia management plan that helps them see clearly now and in the future.
