The Ultimate Guide To Myopia Management For Kids: Atropine, MiSight, Ortho-K & Stellest/Miyosmart Glasses Explained

Show Notes: Episode Title

“The Ultimate Guide to Myopia Management for Kids: Atropine, Misight, Ortho-K & Stellest Glasses Explained”

Episode Summary:

In this episode of It’s Good to See You, Dr. Rupa Wong dives deep into the world of myopia management for kids. With the rising prevalence of myopia, or nearsightedness, it’s more important than ever for parents to understand how they can help slow down its progression in their children. Dr. Wong explains the science behind myopia, including Dr. Earl Smith’s theory of hyperopic defocus, and why addressing this early can protect your child’s vision for the long term. She also explores four effective myopia management treatments — low-dose atropine, MiSight contact lenses, orthokeratology (Ortho-K), and special spectacle lenses like Stellest and Miyosmart glasses. If your child struggles to see clearly or you’ve noticed them squinting at the board, this episode will provide valuable insights and actionable advice.

Key Takeaways:

1. What is Myopia?

• Myopia, or nearsightedness, is when the eye can see objects up close but has trouble seeing objects at a distance.

• It’s becoming more prevalent worldwide, with projections that half the global population could be myopic by 2050

2. Why Myopia Management Matters:

• Dr. Earl Smith’s theory of hyperopic defocus explains how peripheral blur signals the eye to grow longer, leading to worsening myopia.

• Managing myopia early on can prevent severe complications later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic macular degeneration.

3. Treatment Options Explained:

• Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops: Reduces the rate of myopia progression with minimal side effects. Studies show it can slow progression by up to 50%.

• MiSight Contact Lenses: The first FDA-approved contacts for myopia control, with concentric rings that slow down eye growth. Effective, easy to use, and safe for children as young as 6.

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Overnight rigid lenses that reshape the cornea, allowing clear vision during the day. Studies show it reduces eye elongation by about 45-50%.

• Stellest & Miyosmart Glasses: Special lenses designed to slow myopia progression using a myopic defocus effect. Great option for younger children or those who aren’t ready for contacts

4. Choosing the Right Option for Your Child:

• The best treatment depends on several factors, including your child’s age, lifestyle, and how quickly their myopia is progressing.

• Dr. Wong encourages parents to seek an eye exam early to discuss the most suitable options for their child.

Quotes from the Episode:

• “High myopia isn’t just about thicker glasses; it’s about protecting your child’s eye health for the future.”

• “Understanding hyperopic defocus helps us know why regular glasses alone aren’t enough to slow myopia progression.”

• “The sooner we start myopia management, the more effective these treatments can be.”

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with another parent who might be concerned about their child’s vision. Make sure to subscribe to It’s Good to See You for more insights on eye health, vision care, and more. Follow Dr. Rupa Wong on Instagram at @drrupawong for tips and articles on myopia management, or visit her website to learn more.

Resources & References:

• Chia, A., Lu, Q. S., Tan, D. (2016). Atropine for the Treatment of Childhood Myopia: Safety and Efficacy of 0.5%, 0.1%, and 0.01% Doses (Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia 2). Ophthalmology.

• Chamberlain, P., Peixoto-de-Matos, S. C., Logan, N. S., Ngo, C., Jones, D., Young, G. (2019). A 3-year Randomized Clinical Trial of MiSight Lenses for Myopia Control. Journal of AAPOS.

• Cho, P., Cheung, S. W., Edwards, M. (2015). The Long-term Effect of Overnight Orthokeratology on Myopia Progression: A 5-Year Study. Ophthalmology.

• Lam, C. S. Y., Tang, W. C., Tse, D. Y., Lee, R. P., Chun, R. K., Hasegawa, K., Qi, H., Hatanaka, T., To, C. H. (2020). Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) Spectacle Lenses Slow Myopia Progression. Journal of AAPOS.

• Ohno-Matsui, K., et al. (2016). International Classification of Myopic Maculopathy. Ophthalmology.

Follow & Subscribe:

• Instagram: @drrupawong

• Website: drrupawong.com

• Podcast: It’s Good to See You