Myopia Control
The rates of childhood Myopia (nearsightedness) are increasing dramatically! Today, 1 in 3 children is nearsighted.
No parent wants their child’s eyeglass prescription to get stronger (and their glasses to get thicker) year after year!
High levels of myopia carry significant risks to eye health in the future. Thankfully, new tools allows us to slow myopia progression.
Progressive Eye Care specializes in helping Utah parents concerned about their children’s vision, serving families in the South Jordan, Sandy, Draper, and northern Utah County area.
What is Myopia?
MYOPIA = NEARSIGHTEDNESS
Myopia is the most common vision problem among children, teens, and young adults.
Now considered a major health concern, myopia (nearsightedness) has increased by 66% in the United States since 1971.
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long and light focuse in front of the retina, leading to blurry distance vision.
When myopia starts during childhood, it usually progresses rapidly.
Early intervention with NEW treatments can slow or even stop myopia from progressing.
Start Your Myopia Journey
REQUEST A MYOPIA MANAGEMENT CONSULTATION
Why is Myopia Bad?
Myopia is becoming more common, showing up at earlier ages and progressing more rapidly.
Many researchers believe reduced time playing outside and increased screen time are at least partly to blame.
Myopia leads to struggles in school, sports, and other extra-curricular activities.
Myopia isn’t associated with sight-threatining problems most of the time, but it can be …
Risk of Future Eye Disease
High levels of myopia increase your child’s future risk for serious and potentiall sight-threatening eye diseases, including glaucoma and retinal diseases.
Above a prescription of -6.00 Diopters, the risk later in life of myopic maculopathy is 40X greater; the risk of retinal detachment is 21X greater; the risk of glaucoma is 3X greater.
Early intervention can slow or even stop the progression of myopia in your child … and can reduce the risk of future eye myopia-related eye disease.
Myopia Increases Risk of Future Eye Disease
High levels of myopia increase your child’s future risk for serious eye diseases, including glaucoma and retinal diseases.
Above a prescription of -6.00 Diopters, the risk later in life of myopic maculopathy is 40X greater; the risk of retinal detachment is 21X greater; the risk of glaucoma is 3X greater.
Early intervention can slow or even stop the progression of myopia in your child.
What Parents Should Know
High nearsightedness can be debilitating when you can’t find your glasses or contacts.
Some prescriptions can get too high to be treated with Lasik when your child is older.
While glasses can help your child to see better, traditional glasses don’t stop myopia from continuing to deteriorate.
Anything that cause the eye to grow longer (increased axial length) can make myopia get worse. Genetics. Too much screen time. Even traditional eyeglasses stimulate the eye to grow longer in children and youth with myopia..
Important Tip for Parents:
Studies show that kids who play outside more often have LOWER risks of developing myopia.
Parents, PLEASE, schedule more time to be with your children engaging in outdoor play.
PUT DOWN YOUR PHONES AND DEVICES
It will be great for your relationship, for their physical and emotional development, and for their eyes!
How Myopia Management Works
Consultation
At your child’s Initial Myopia Consultation we will measure their prescription, corneal curvature, axial length and eye health. We take a careful history to see if the child, siblings, or parents have a history of worsening myopia.
Treatment
Based on the child’s vision, age, activities, and goals, we work with parents to formulate an individualized myopia management plan , which may include ortho-k , prescription drops, dual-focus contacts, or a combination. Easy payment plans are avaialble.
Follow-Up
Depending on the child’s rate of progression and the myopia treatment(s) prescribed, patients will be asked to follow up frequently to measure their prescription and the axial length of the eye so that adjustments in therapy can be made as needed. Most patients follow up every 4 to 6 months.
Our Myopia Treatments
Ortho-K
Ortho-K (short for orthokeratology) is a non-surgical vision correction using customized contact lenses worn at night to gently reshape the cornea, allowing patients to see clearly the next day without wearing prescription glasses or daytime contacts.
Studies show between 40% and 70% reduction in myopia progression with Ortho-k. Individual results can vary. A consultation is required to determine candidacy.
Progressive Eye Care is the #1 Ortho-k Provider in Utah.
Ortho-K
Ortho-K (short for orthokeratology) is a non-surgical vision correction using customized contact lenses worn at night to gently reshape the cornea, allowing patients to see clearly the next day without wearing prescription glasses or daytime contacts.
Studies show between 40% and 70% reduction in myopia progression with Ortho-k. Individual results can vary. A consultation is required to determine candidacy.
Progressive Eye Care is the #1 Ortho-k Provider in Utah.
Dual-Focus Daytime Contacts
Customized multifocal soft contact lenses are placed on the eye in the morning and removed each night. Their specialized optics reduce the progression of myopia while providing clear vision during the day.
Daytime daily-disposable multifocal lenses allow children and teens to be free from glasses while providing excellent clarity and comfort for all their favorite activities.
Prescription Eyedrops
Atropine eye drops are formulated to specific concentrations known to slow myopia progression over time. These drops are applied at bedtime and the child wears glasses or contact lenses during the day.
Atropine therapy does not correct vision. It helps keep the eyes from growing longer.
This treatment is excellent when a child may not be ready for contact lens options and can be added to other myopia control therapies when nearsightedness has been progressing rapidly.
Prescription Eyedrops
Atropine eye drops are formulated to specific concentrations known to slow myopia progression over time. These drops are applied at bedtime and the child wears glasses or contact lenses during the day.
Atropine therapy does not correct vision. It helps keep the eyes from growing longer.
This treatment is excellent when a child may not be ready for contact lens options and can be added to other myopia control therapies when nearsightedness has been progressing rapidly.
Myopia Control Glasses
Coming soon: Specially-designed eyeglass lenses for myopia control are reported to provide clear central vision while adding small spots of peripheral blur to the lens to interrupt peripheral defocus and reduce eye elongation and myopia progression.
These lenses, when they become available in the US, will offer yet another option in our toolkit for fighting the progression of myopia.
Myopia control glasses are still not approved in the US.
Each Person is Unique
CUSTOMIZED MYOPIA MANAGEMENT
At Progressive Eye Care we realize that we treat the whole person. We take the time to craft the best treatmetn plan for each individual.
Claudia Alvarez
I love the attention here, the team is very nice and professional. My son got contacts and he had some problems putting his contacts on, and the doctor met us at night. Very nice of him. So kind and patient. Thank you.
What Time That Works Best for You?
LET’S GET STARTED
For Urgent Eye Conditions, please call, even after hours for a priority appointment.
For all other requests, please complete this form and we will reach out to you as soon as possible.
Progressive Eye Care
Dr. Jeffrey Broadhead, OD and his team of optometry and ophthalmology providers offer comprehensive treatments to improve the vision of patients from our offices in South Jordan, UT. Our doctors are members of professional associations, including:
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Optometric Association
American Board of Ophthalmology
Utah Optometric Association
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
American Academy of Orthokeratology & Myopia Control
To schedule an appointment at our South Jordan optometry practice, you can contact us online or give us a call at (801) 676-2020.
Contact Us
Today
South Jordan Office
- 10654 S River Heights Dr Ste 110 South Jordan, UT 84095