Understanding Myopia Control and Its Importance for Eye Health at Cohenmehr Optometry

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more than just a common vision issue. When left unchecked, it can increase the risk of serious eye conditions like retinal disease and glaucoma. At Cohenmehr Optometry in Los Angeles, we focus on myopia control to protect your long-term eye health. This article explains why managing myopia matters and explores the treatment options available, including Ortho-Keratology, atropine eye drops, Essilor Stellest lenses, and multifocal contact lenses. We also highlight a special offer on Ortho-Keratology treatment to help you take control of your vision today.

01

Why Myopia Control Matters for Eye Health

Myopia affects nearly 30% of the U.S. population and is expected to rise globally. While glasses and contacts correct blurry vision, they do not stop myopia from progressing. High myopia increases the risk of:

• Retinal detachment and retinal disease: The elongated eyeball stretches the retina, making it more vulnerable to tears and detachments.
• Glaucoma: Myopia is linked to higher eye pressure and optic nerve damage, increasing glaucoma risk.
• Cataracts: People with myopia may develop cataracts earlier than those with normal vision.
• Macular degeneration: Severe myopia can lead to changes in the macula, affecting central vision.

Slowing myopia progression reduces these risks and protects your vision for life. Early intervention is especially important for children and teens, whose eyes are still developing.

02

Ortho-Keratology for Myopia Control

Ortho-Keratology, or Ortho-K, uses specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight. These lenses gently reshape the cornea while you sleep, allowing clear vision during the day without glasses or contacts.

Benefits of Ortho-K for Myopia Control

• Slows myopia progression: In a 2023 review of seven randomized trials, Ortho-K slowed the eye’s growth by 53% at one year and 47% at two years.
• Convenient daytime vision: No need for glasses or contacts during the day, ideal for active lifestyles.
• Non-surgical and reversible: Safe for children and teens, with effects wearing off if treatment stops.
• Improves eye health: Reduces eye strain and dry eye symptoms compared to daytime contacts.

At Cohenmehr Optometry in Los Angeles, we currently offer a special promotion for Ortho-K treatment at $750 per eye. This makes it easier to start managing myopia effectively and affordably.

03

Atropine Eye Drops for Myopia Management

Atropine eye drops are a low-dose medication used to slow myopia progression. They work by relaxing the eye’s focusing mechanism and reducing elongation of the eyeball.

Key points about atropine treatment

• Low-dose atropine (0.01% to 0.05%) can slow myopia progression in children, and a three-year trial found no serious eye side effects.
• Minimal side effects such as light sensitivity or difficulty focusing on close objects.
• Often combined with other treatments like Ortho-K or multifocal lenses for enhanced control.

Atropine requires a prescription and regular monitoring by your eye care provider to ensure safety and effectiveness.

04

Essilor Stellest Lenses: Innovative Myopia Control Eyewear

Essilor Stellest lenses are specially designed eyeglasses that use advanced optics to slow myopia progression. They create a peripheral defocus that signals the eye to slow its growth.

Features of Stellest lenses

• Lightweight and comfortable for daily wear.
• Suitable for children who prefer glasses over contact lenses.
• In the two-year study the FDA reviewed, myopia progressed 71% less than with standard single-vision lenses, and the eye grew 53% less.

These lenses offer a non-invasive option for myopia control, especially for younger patients.

05

Multifocal Contact Lenses for Myopia Management

Multifocal contact lenses provide different focusing powers in one lens, helping to reduce eye strain and slow myopia progression.

Advantages include

• Clear vision at multiple distances.
• Reduced eye elongation by altering how light focuses on the retina.
• Suitable for children and adults who can handle contact lens care.

Cohenmehr Optometry fits multifocal contacts with personalized care to ensure comfort and effectiveness.

06

Why Choose Cohenmehr Optometry for Myopia Control in Los Angeles

At Cohenmehr Optometry, we combine the latest research with personalized treatment plans. Our experienced team evaluates your eye health and lifestyle to recommend the right myopia control option.

• Comprehensive eye exams with advanced imaging.
• Access to all major myopia control treatments.
• Special pricing on Ortho-Keratology at $750 per eye.
• Ongoing monitoring to track progress and adjust treatment.

Our goal is to protect your vision now and in the future with safe, effective myopia management.

Myopia control is a vital step to reduce the risk of serious eye diseases like retinal detachment and glaucoma. With options like Ortho-Keratology, atropine drops, Essilor Stellest lenses, and multifocal contacts, you can slow myopia progression and maintain healthy vision. Cohenmehr Optometry in Los Angeles offers expert care and a special Ortho-K promotion to help you start today. Schedule a consultation to explore the right myopia control plan for you or your child and take charge of your eye health.

07

Questions patients ask about myopia control

Is myopia management the same as myopia control?

Yes, in everyday use. Both terms describe treatment meant to slow how fast a child's nearsightedness worsens, since glasses and contacts correct the blur without stopping the progression. The American Optometric Association calls it myopia management and lists bifocal glasses or contact lenses, orthokeratology and eye drops, alone or combined. Our myopia control program includes Ortho-K, low-dose atropine, Essilor Stellest lenses and multifocal contacts.

What are the side effects of myopia control treatments?

They depend on the treatment. Low-dose atropine drops can cause light sensitivity or trouble focusing up close. In the FDA's review of Essilor Stellest glasses, some children reported blur and halos, with no serious adverse events. Ortho-K and other contact lenses are medical devices with a risk of eye infection, and the CDC notes that not wearing, cleaning and storing them as directed raises that risk. Take the lens out and call us right away for eye pain, worsening redness or light sensitivity, or go to an emergency room when we're closed. Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, even if it comes back, is a 911 call, and sudden blur that doesn't clear needs an emergency room.

Why is Ortho-K not more popular?

It asks more of a family than glasses do. The lenses are custom-designed and worn every night, and the effect depends on that: if nightly wear stops, vision drifts back over days to weeks. Children need to follow the cleaning steps reliably, and the early follow-up visits matter for safety. Ortho-K also suits mild to moderate myopia, and corneal mapping confirms who's a candidate. For a child who can keep that routine, Ortho-K gives clear vision through the day without glasses or contacts.

Can myopia cause blindness?

Severe myopia can lead to vision loss through its complications. The FDA notes that nearsightedness can progress to high myopia, which significantly increases the risk of sight-threatening problems later in life, including retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy (changes in the macula, the part of the retina used for central vision), glaucoma and cataracts. Slowing progression in childhood aims to lower those risks.

Written by

Dr. Brandon Cohenmehr, OD

Specialty contact lenses, with a focus on Ortho-K, scleral lenses, and co-managing patients with keratoconus and other corneal disease. A graduate of SUNY College of Optometry.

About Dr. Brandon →