Myopia Control

Myopia Control services offered in New York, NY

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly common in children, often making it difficult to see distant objects clearly. While glasses and contact lenses can help correct vision, they don’t stop it from getting worse. The Hamilton Vistasite Eye Care team in Hamilton Heights, New York, led by Cindy Serra, OD, and Nina Saa, OD, offers myopia control — solutions to slow progression and protect long-term eye health. Book an appointment now for early detection and treatment by calling or using the online scheduling feature.

Myopia Control Q & A

What is myopia?

Myopia is also known as nearsightedness. It’s a common vision condition where close objects appear clear, but distant objects look blurry.

It occurs when your eyeball is too long or your cornea is too curved, causing light entering your eye to focus in front of your retina instead of directly on it.

Myopia usually begins in childhood and can progress into early adulthood.

What are the symptoms of myopia?

The most noticeable symptom of myopia is difficulty seeing things far away, such as the whiteboard in a classroom or road signs while driving.

Children with myopia may:

Squint
Sit very close to the TV to see well
Hold books close to their face to read or see pictures
Complain of headaches and eye strain

If your child has trouble concentrating in school or frequently rubs their eyes, it could be a sign of vision issues like myopia.

Why did my child develop myopia?

Myopia often runs in families. If you or your child’s other parent are nearsighted, your child has a higher risk of developing it. However, genetics isn’t the only factor.

Environmental influences also have an impact. Spending excessive time on screens, doing close-up work (like reading or tablet use), and not getting enough time outdoors have been linked to a greater risk of myopia in children.

Researchers believe that natural light and focusing on distant objects during outdoor play may help slow the eye's growth and reduce myopia risk.

How does myopia control work?

Myopia control refers to treatments that slow the progression of myopia in children. While traditional glasses or contacts correct blurry vision, they don't stop your eyes from becoming more nearsighted over time.

At Hamilton Vistasite Eye Care, the team’s methods of myopia control include specially designed soft contact lenses, orthokeratology (overnight lenses that reshape the cornea), and low-dose atropine eye drops. These options work in different ways to reduce your eyes’ elongation and slow down worsening vision.

Early intervention is key. The team can start treatment when your child is first diagnosed with myopia to help protect their long-term eye health and reduce their risk of developing severe myopia, which is associated with complications like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

If you think your child may have myopia or their prescription is changing quickly, schedule an evaluation with your Hamilton Vistasite Eye Care professional about myopia control options. Call or book online today.