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Myopia Control Specialist

Eye Associates of New York

Optometrists located in Midtown East, New York, NY

Many children struggle with rapid-progression nearsightedness in their preteen and teen years, which can make it difficult to perform well at school and in other aspects of life. At Eye Associates of New York in Midtown East, Manhattan, the optometry team offers myopia screenings and effective myopia control treatments to help your child slow this progression and see better long-term. Call the New York City office or book an appointment online to get started on treatment today.

Myopia Control Q & A

What is myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common eye condition that makes it hard to see at a distance. 

Children who have untreated myopia may hold books close to their face, sit too close to the TV, or frequently squint in the classroom. 

Myopia is caused by eye shape. When an eye is perfectly round, light reflects directly onto the retina for clear vision. However, when the eye is longer or has a mismatched corneal curve, the light focuses in front of the retina and vision is blurry. 

Many children have myopia that worsens as they grow, but with myopia control, that doesn't have to happen.

What does myopia control mean?

Myopia control is a treatment that delays the progression of myopia in children (and, less commonly, in young adults). 

The Eye Associates of New York team may recommend myopia control for children who currently need corrective lenses as it can prevent their myopia from getting worse. 

Myopia control treatments can change eye structure and focus, which relieves stress and eye fatigue to stop myopia in its tracks. 

Children who need major vision correction early in life are more likely to develop serious eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, and detached retina as an adult, and myopia control may also help prevent these issues.

What are the options for myopia control?

Eye Associates of New York offers several myopia control options, and they customize each for your child's needs. Options can include:

Atropine eye drops

Low doses of atropine eye drops can potentially reduce focusing fatigue (and therefore, myopia) by relaxing the eye's focusing mechanism. 

Multifocal lenses

Multifocal lenses, which contain more than one prescription within the lens, can slow myopia progression for some children by refocusing light on the retina. Both multifocal glasses and contacts are available.


Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, are gas-permeable contact lenses that reshape your child's cornea. Your child wears ortho-k lenses overnight, which creates a temporary improvement allowing them to see without glasses during the day. Consistent ortho-k use can reduce eye elongation and may thus control myopia progression long-term.

Daily disposable contacts

The FDA recently cleared the first soft contact lens for myopia control. These lenses correct your child's refractive error while reducing eye elongation using a patented lens technology. 

The Eye Associates of New York team can help you choose the ideal myopia control solution for your child. To learn more about myopia control, schedule an eye exam with the New York City office by calling the office or booking online today.