If your child's glasses prescription has been getting stronger each year, myopia management may be worth discussing. Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., provides myopia management at Family Eye Center using MiSight daily disposable contact lenses, available for children in Safford and the surrounding communities.
Myopia Management in Safford, AZ: MiSight Contact Lenses for Children
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Managing Your Child's Myopia at Family Eye Center
When a child's myopia is progressing, updating their glasses each year addresses their current prescription but does not address the underlying pattern of change. Myopia management is a clinical approach aimed at slowing that rate of progression. MiSight® contact lenses are the management option available at Family Eye Center. If your child's prescription has been increasing noticeably year over year, an appointment with Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., can help determine whether MiSight® is appropriate for their age, prescription, and eye health.
What Myopia Is and Why Progression Matters
Myopia, commonly called nearsightedness, means the eye focuses clearly on close objects but not on objects at a distance. It develops when the eyeball grows slightly longer than it should, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than on it. Myopia typically begins in childhood and can worsen through the school years as the eyes continue to develop. A prescription that increases each year significantly is a sign that the myopia is progressing, not just present.
Signs Your Child's Myopia May Be Getting Worse
Prescription increases do not always feel dramatic to your child, because their vision adjusts gradually. Watch for these signs between annual eye exams:
- Needing new glasses more often than once a year.
- Squinting to see the board or distant objects even with current glasses.
- Complaints that new glasses do not feel as sharp as expected.
- A family history of high myopia in one or both parents.
- Spending significant time on close work or screens without breaks.
If you notice any of these, mention them at your child's next eye exam or call (928) 428-4360 to schedule a review with Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D.
Regular contact lenses correct your child's current prescription, allowing them to see clearly. MiSight® is also a contact lens, but it is designed with a specific optical structure intended to address the pattern of eye growth associated with myopia progression. Your child wears MiSight® the same way they would wear standard daily disposables, but the lens does more than correct vision for the day.
At this time, MiSight® daily disposable contact lenses are the myopia management option available at Family Eye Center. Atropine eye drops and orthokeratology (overnight contact lenses, also called ortho-k) are not currently offered at this practice. If you have questions about which approach may be most appropriate for your child, Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., can discuss the available options here and refer you if a different approach is needed.
The clearest sign is a prescription that increases measurably at consecutive annual exams. Your child may also squint more often, need new glasses more frequently than expected, or have a parent with high myopia, which is a known risk factor for progression in children. If you are concerned about your child's prescription pattern, bring it up at their next exam or call (928) 428-4360 to schedule a review with Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D.
MiSight: What Parents Need to Know
MiSight® is a daily-disposable soft contact lens designed for children with progressing myopia. Here is what parents should know before the first appointment:
- MiSight® is worn during the day and discarded each evening. No cleaning required.
- It is designed for children, including those who have not worn contact lenses before.
- A dedicated contact lens exam is required before fitting.
- Follow-up appointments are part of the management process.
- MiSight® addresses the rate of prescription change, not the current prescription itself.
Is My Child a Candidate for MiSight?
MiSight® is generally appropriate for children whose myopia has been progressing over consecutive years. Candidacy depends on your child's age, prescription history, and the health of their eyes. Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., evaluates each child individually at the contact lens exam. To discuss whether your child may be a candidate, call (928) 428-4360 and request an appointment with Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D.
My Child's Prescription Keeps Changing
A prescription that changes every year is the clearest sign that myopia management may be worth discussing. An appointment with Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., can confirm whether the rate of change makes your child a suitable candidate for MiSight®.
Starting Myopia Management Early
Myopia management works alongside a child's natural development. Starting the conversation early, when progression is first identified, gives you more time to evaluate options and begin a management plan at the right stage of your child's eye development.
Contact Lenses for Younger Children
MiSight® is designed specifically for children, including those who have not worn contact lenses before. Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., will assess whether your child is mature enough to handle daily lens wear responsibly as part of the candidacy evaluation.
Using VSP Benefits for Myopia Management
VSP and other vision plans accepted at Family Eye Center may cover part of the contact lens exam and lens supply cost for MiSight®. Coverage varies by plan.
Annual Monitoring of Prescription Changes
Annual eye exams track your child's prescription over time. A consistent year-over-year increase is the primary indicator that myopia management may be appropriate. Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., reviews this history at each appointment.
MiSight Contact Lens Fitting
If MiSight® is appropriate for your child, Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., will fit the lenses during a dedicated contact lens exam. MiSight® lenses are daily disposables, so your child inserts a fresh pair each morning and discards them at night. No cleaning or storing is required.
Follow-Up and Ongoing Care
After fitting, follow-up appointments allow Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., to monitor how your child's eyes are responding and confirm the lenses are still the right fit. The schedule for follow-up visits will be discussed at the time of fitting.
Schedule a Myopia Management Consultation in Safford
To schedule a myopia management consultation with Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., at Family Eye Center, call (928) 428-4360. Walk-ins are welcome during office hours.