Skip to main content

Request Appointment: Irvine | Dana Point

Myopia Management

Is your child short-sighted?
Is your child's myopia worsening?

Offer your child a bright future with myopia management.

No-Charge Ortho-K Consultation.

Home » Myopia Management

Nearsightedness: Not Just An Inconvenience

Child Wear Glasses for Myopia

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the eye grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, resulting in blurry vision when looking at objects in the distance.

Although eyeglasses and standard contact lenses can correct a person’s vision, they do not treat the underlying cause of myopia or slow its progression.

Myopia significantly increases the risk of developing sight-threatening eye diseases later in life, such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration. The higher your child’s myopia, the greater the risk.

If you’re concerned about your child’s long-term eye health and vision, contact Advanced Eyecare Optometric Center in Irvine today.

Learn More

What is Myopia Management?

Ortho-K or orthokeratology is likely the leading treatment for myopia control, which involves the use of specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses that are worn overnight while the patient sleeps. The lenses gently reshape the front surface of the eye, or the cornea, to correct the refractive error and improve vision.

Ortho-K has been shown to be effective in slowing down the progression of myopia in both children and adults. By reducing the amount of time that the eyes are focusing on close objects, such as when reading or using a computer, ortho-K can help prevent the eye from growing longer and becoming more nearsighted.

We offer various types of myopia treatments

Safe Way to Sleep in Contact Lenses Thumbnails.jpg
child by tree.jpg
boy studying reading.jpg

Girl-wearing-blue-baseball-cap-640

Myopia Management Reviews

father holding two kids

Our Myopia Management Team

At our practice, Dr. Matthew Wang has over 20 years of experience fitting patients with ortho-K lenses. He has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of kids and adults improve their vision and preserve their eye health with this innovative treatment.

If you or your child are struggling with myopia and are looking for a safe and effective way to control its progression, ortho-K may be the right option for you. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wang and learn more about this exciting treatment.

Matthew S. Wang, O.D.

Matthew S. Wang, O.D.

Dr. Matt attended Whittier College on an academic scholarship, where he studied chemistry and music. He then went to the Southern California College of Optometry to earn his doctorate. He is a past president of the Orange County Optometric Society and was named Young Optometrist of the Year in 2008...

How Do I Know If My Child Needs Myopia Management?


If you are concerned about your child’s myopia, call our practice today. Our eye doctor will help you understand more about your child's nearsightedness and will determine whether your child is a candidate for myopia management.

Take our myopia assessment online to find out whether your child could benefit from this life-changing treatment.

mother and daughter doing school work together
focus on a blue eye

Myopia increases the risk of serious eye diseases


Myopia can significantly increase your risk of developing potentially sight-threatening eye conditions in the future. But how much does your risk grow, exactly?


Research shows that the worse your myopia is, the higher your risk. For example, your risk of developing myopic maculopathy, an especially severe form of macular degeneration, is 2.2x higher if your prescription is -2.00, and jumps to 9.7x at -4.00, 40.6x higher at -6.00, and is a whopping 126.8x higher at a prescription of -8.00.


This is why it’s so essential to stop myopia progression in its tracks with myopia management.

What Factors Increase Risk of Myopia?

According to our eye care team, the following factors may increase the risk of nearsightedness:


illustration of a family
Genetic Factors

Myopic parents (one or both) increases the child's risk of nearsightedness.

Age

Developing myopia before age 12 significantly increases the risk of severe myopia.

illustration of four kids
illustration of a kid with tablet
Daily Habits

Spending too much time on digital screens and reading books can strain the eyes, increasing risk of nearsightedness.

FAQ | Understanding Myopia Management

one-circle-line
When does myopia (nearsightedness) usually begin?


Myopia tends to begin in school-aged children, and usually continues to progress until a person reaches roughly the age of 20. The longer it progresses, and the worse it gets, the higher your child's risk of potentially sight-threatening eye conditions later in life.

two-circle-line
Is there an ideal age for myopia management?


It is recommended to start myopia management as soon as possible, with best results found in children who started before the age of 9. However, myopia control can help children and teens of all ages.

three-circle-line
Why is myopia management important?

As the myopic eye elongates, it stretches the retina, the light-sensitive layer lining the back of the eye. Excessive stretching makes the eye more prone to tears, inflammation, the formation of new, weak blood vessels and scarring. This raises the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and myopic maculopathy. Safeguard your child's vision with myopia management.


Protect your child’s long-term vision and eye health. Contact our Irvine optometry team regarding myopia management at Advanced Eyecare Optometric Center today!

Call Our Offices

Book Online