Your child keeps squinting at the board. You’ve already updated their glasses prescription twice in 2 years, and each time the numbers creep higher. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—many children and families experience this. Willoughby Doctors of Optometry offers a range of options to help families get ahead of this. For families already exploring myopia control in Langley, MiSight lenses are worth exploring.
MiSight contact lenses are soft daily lenses designed specifically for children and can help slow the progression of myopia during the key growing years.
We also fit Abiliti lenses, another soft daily contact lens option for myopia control. Both are used in our office, and your eye doctor can help determine which is the better fit for your child.
What Myopia Progression Means for Your Child’s Vision
Myopia—or nearsightedness—tends to worsen gradually throughout childhood and into the teen years. Each time the prescription increases, it’s a sign that the eye is still changing. Higher prescriptions over time aren’t just about needing stronger lenses; they can also increase the risk of certain eye health concerns associated with high myopia later in life.
That’s why early action matters. When myopia is caught and managed during childhood, there’s a real opportunity to slow how quickly it progresses.
Signs to Watch for in Kids
Children don’t always say their vision is blurry—they often just adapt. Knowing what to look for can help you catch a problem sooner. Watch for:
- Squinting or sitting very close to screens or the TV
- Complaints about blurry distance vision, like struggling to see the board at school
- Frequent headaches after school, reading, or screen time
If any of these sound like your child, a children’s eye exam is recommended
What Are MiSight Lenses?
MiSight lenses are soft daily contact lenses made for children, typically ages 8 to 12. They use a dual-focus design, meaning part of the lens corrects your child’s current vision clearly, while another zone sends signals to help slow the eye’s growth. They’re worn during the day and thrown away each night, so there’s no cleaning routine to manage.
This approach to myopia control gives children both clear vision right now and a plan for protecting their vision down the road.
Why Early Myopia Control Matters
Children’s eyes respond well to intervention during their growth years. Starting a myopia control program early can help reduce how strong a prescription gets by the time they reach adulthood. That can mean fewer limitations and better overall eye health in the long run.
Comfortable, clear vision during school years also makes a real difference in how kids learn and engage, from reading to sports to screen time.
What Are Abiliti Contact Lenses?
Abiliti 1-Day lenses, made by Johnson & Johnson, work on a similar principle. They’re also soft daily disposable lenses designed to correct vision while helping slow the eye’s growth. While MiSight and Abiliti differ in their regulatory approvals, both are options we use in-office as part of a myopia control plan.
What to Expect During a Contact Lens Fitting
Before MiSight or Abiliti lenses are prescribed, a thorough eye exam comes first. Your eye doctor checks your child’s prescription, eye shape, and overall eye health to confirm MiSight is a good fit. From there, trial lenses are inserted so the eye doctor can assess both comfort and clarity.
A contact lens fitting for a child is a gentle, step-by-step process designed to make sure the lenses perform the way they should.
Helping Your Child Feel Comfortable
For many kids, touching their eyes for the first time can feel a little intimidating. Our team at Willoughby Doctors of Optometry walks children through lens insertion and removal at a pace that works for them—no pressure, just practice. Follow-up visits are also part of the process, so the eye doctor can monitor how the lenses are fitting and how the prescription is responding over time.
Who Is a Good Candidate for MiSight Lenses?
MiSight and Abiliti lenses aren’t for every child, but it’s worth exploring if your child fits the following:
- They have a confirmed myopia diagnosis from an eye doctor
- They’re motivated and mature enough to handle contact lenses responsibly
- They’re already part of—or ready to start—a myopia control program
Your eye doctor can help you decide if MiSight is the right fit during a comprehensive eye exam.
How Myopia Control Fits Into Your Child’s Long-Term Eye Care
Myopia control lenses like MiSight and Abiliti work best as part of a consistent care routine. Regular eye exams allow the eye doctor to track prescription changes and adjust the plan as your child grows. What works at age 9 may need to be revisited at 12, and that’s exactly what these check-ins are for.
A Broader Approach
MiSight lenses are one part of a bigger picture. They pair well with routine children’s eye care, including annual exams, monitoring for other vision concerns, and age-appropriate guidance for screen use and eye health habits. Every child’s eyes are different, and the approach is tailored to reflect that.
If you’re wondering whether MiSight, Abiliti, or another myopia control option could be right for your child, our team at Willoughby Doctors of Optometry in Langley is ready to help. Book a children’s eye exam today and get a clear picture of where your child’s vision stands—and where it could go.
