Key Takeaways
- Myopia, or nearsightedness, makes faraway objects look blurry, and a child’s prescription can climb as they grow.
- MiSight lenses are daily disposable soft contacts that correct distance vision and help slow myopia progression.
- Stellest lenses are glasses lenses for kids ages around 6 to 12 and are worn about 12 hours a day.
- The right choice depends on your child’s age, prescription, eye health, and daily routine.
- Regular follow-up visits help the eye doctor track changes and adjust the plan.
If your child has myopia, you may be wondering about options for slowing down their changing prescription. There are several myopia control options that we offer at Eye.Q. Optometry, and the right one for your child depends on many factors.
MiSight often suits kids who are ready for daily soft contacts, while Stellest may suit kids who do well in glasses. We can walk you through the myopia management options and help you decide which one is right for your family.
What Is Myopia and Why Does It Matter?
Myopia, also called nearsightedness, can happen when the eye grows too long from front to back. This causes light to land in front of the retina (at the back of the eye) instead of directly on it, which makes distant objects appear blurry. If your child has myopia, they’ll be able to read a close-by book just fine, but reading the whiteboard at school will be a challenge.
As some kids get older, their eyes keep growing, which can increase their prescription each year. Higher levels of myopia are linked to eye health concerns later in life, so many parents look for options to slow eye growth.
How Glasses and Myopia Control Differ
Regular glasses correct blur, but that’s all they do. Myopia control aims to slow how fast your child’s prescription changes. Your child still gets clear vision, with the added goal of managing progression over time.
What Are MiSight Lenses?
MiSight lenses are daily disposable soft contact lenses. They correct distance vision and help slow myopia progression in kids.
Your child puts in a fresh pair each morning, wears them through the school day, and tosses them at night. There’s no lens case to scrub before bed.
Who MiSight May Suit
MiSight can be a good match for kids who feel comfortable wearing soft contacts during the day. It also suits families ready for a daily lens routine, so your child’s maturity matters more than age.
What Are Stellest Lenses?
Stellest lenses are glasses lenses made with the H.A.L.T. lens design. Each lens has a clear center with treatment zones around it. This provides your child with clear vision during the day and helps slow eye growth.
Who Stellest May Suit
Stellest may suit a few groups of kids:
- Kids who aren’t ready for contact lenses yet.
- Kids who already wear glasses every day and have no issues with them.
Daily Wear Time
Stellest lenses are designed to be worn for about 12 hours each day. To classmates, they look like regular glasses, so your child can wear them in class, at lunch, and on the playground without standing out.
How to Choose Between MiSight and Stellest
No single lens is right for every child. The right fit depends on your child’s needs, habits, and comfort.
Key Differences at a Glance
Here’s how the 2 options compare side by side:
- MiSight is a contact lens, and Stellest is a glasses lens.
- MiSight involves handling lenses daily, while Stellest means wearing frames.
- Both options are worn during the day.
Questions to Talk Through with Your Eye Doctor
Here are some questions worth asking when you bring your child in to discuss myopia control with our team:
- How do your child’s age, prescription, and eye health shape the available options?
- How comfortable is your child with touching their eyes?
- How responsible is your child with daily hygiene habits?
- Which lens fits more easily into school, sports, and your family’s daily routine?
What to Expect from Myopia Control in Los Angeles
Regular Follow-Up Visits
Myopia control is an ongoing plan. At regular follow-up visits, your eye doctor tracks your child’s prescription and the length of the eye (axial length).
As your child grows, your eye doctor can adjust your plan. Every child responds a little differently, which is why these visits are so important for keeping things on track.
Next Steps with an Optometrist in Eagle Rock
Start with a comprehensive children’s eye exam. The eye doctor checks your child’s vision and eye health, then compares MiSight, Stellest, and other options with you.
Book Your Visit
Eye.Q. Optometry welcomes families from Eagle Rock and nearby northeast LA neighborhoods. Book your child’s eye exam today to discuss which lens fits your family’s needs.
