Myopia Management for Children in Riverview & Gibsonton, FL
Myopia (nearsightedness) is one of the fastest-growing vision conditions among school-aged children — and it’s more than a prescription problem. Rapidly progressing myopia can increase a child’s long-term risk of serious eye diseases, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration. At Riverview Eye Care, we offer clinically proven myopia management strategies to slow progression and protect your child’s ocular health for the long term.
Why Myopia Management Matters
Standard eyeglasses and contact lenses correct your child’s vision, but they do not slow the progressive elongation of the eye that drives myopia worsening. Each step of increased myopia significantly raises the risk of vision-threatening complications later in life. Children whose myopia progresses rapidly during the school years are at particular risk.
Myopia management uses specific optical and pharmaceutical interventions that have been clinically demonstrated to reduce the rate of myopic progression — preserving more of your child’s natural visual potential and reducing lifetime disease risk.
MiSight® 1 Day — FDA-Approved Myopia Control Lenses
MiSight® 1 Day by CooperVision is the only FDA-approved soft contact lens specifically indicated to slow the progression of myopia in children ages 8 to 12. These daily disposable lenses use ActivControl® Technology to simultaneously correct distance vision and apply a peripheral defocus signal that reduces the stimulus for axial eye growth.
Clinical studies demonstrate that MiSight® 1 Day slows myopia progression by an average of 59% compared to standard single-vision lenses, and reduces axial elongation by 52%. Lenses are worn during the day and removed at night — no overnight wear required.
Stellest Lenses — FDA-Authorized Myopia Control Spectacles
For children who are not ready for contact lenses or whose parents prefer a glasses-based solution, Riverview Eye Care is proud to offer the Stellest lens by Essilor — the first FDA-authorized spectacle lens shown to slow myopia progression in children. Stellest lenses use H.A.L.T. (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target) technology to create a volume of signal in front of the retina, slowing the stimulus for myopic progression while fully correcting distance vision.
Our doctors will evaluate your child’s prescription, axial length, and progression pattern to recommend whether MiSight® or Stellest is the better fit for their individual needs. Ask us about myopia management at your child’s next comprehensive eye exam.
Frequently Asked Questions About Myopia Management
At what age can myopia management begin?
Myopia management can begin as soon as myopia is detected and showing signs of progression. MiSight® 1 Day lenses are FDA-approved for children ages 8 to 12, and clinical evidence suggests that earlier intervention produces better long-term outcomes. Stellest spectacle lenses are also available for younger children. We recommend discussing myopia control options at your child’s annual eye exam.
How do MiSight® 1 Day lenses slow myopia progression?
MiSight® lenses use a dual-focus optical design with concentric correction and treatment zones. While the correction zones sharpen distance vision, the treatment zones create a myopic defocus signal in the peripheral retina — reducing the biological stimulus that drives continued eye elongation and myopia worsening.
Are MiSight® contact lenses safe for children?
Yes. MiSight® 1 Day lenses have an excellent safety profile and have been studied in children as young as 8 years old. As daily disposables, they require no cleaning or storage — children insert a fresh lens each day and discard it at night, reducing infection risk compared to reusable lenses.
What is the Stellest lens and how does it differ from regular glasses?
The Stellest lens by Essilor contains a constellation of high-asphericity lenslets that create a volume of myopic defocus in front of the retina while fully correcting your child’s distance prescription. Clinical studies show Stellest lenses slow myopia progression by an average of 67% in children who wear them 12 or more hours per day, compared to standard single-vision lenses.
How do I know if my child’s myopia is progressing too quickly?
A prescription change of 0.50 diopters or more per year is generally considered significant progression. Signs that your child may have progressing myopia include frequent prescription changes at exams, complaints of blurry distance vision between prescription updates, or a strong family history of high myopia. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam to discuss your child’s progression pattern with our doctors.
Is myopia management covered by vision insurance?
Coverage for myopia management products varies by plan. Our team can help you understand your benefits and will provide documentation to support any applicable insurance submissions. Call (813) 498-1905 with your insurance information and we will verify coverage before your appointment.
How long does my child need to use myopia management lenses?
Myopia management is most effective when used consistently throughout the years of active eye growth, typically until the late teens when myopia tends to stabilize. Stopping treatment early may allow progression to resume. Your doctor will monitor your child’s axial length and prescription annually to assess response and adjust the management plan as needed.