Myopia Management for
Children in Edmonton

Atropine Eye Drops

A simple, once-daily treatment that may help slow your child's worsening nearsightedness.

Low-dose atropine eye drops are one option for managing childhood myopia. Although atropine has been used in eye care for many years, research has shown that certain concentrations can also help slow the progression of nearsightedness in children.

Atropine is available in different concentrations, with lower doses, typically between 0.01% and 0.05%, commonly used for myopia management. The effectiveness of treatment varies by concentration, with 0.05% generally showing stronger results than 0.01% in clinical studies.

The drops are usually applied once daily, often at bedtime. Because atropine does not correct blurry distance vision, your child will still need their regular glasses or contact lenses.

At Helio Optometry, we can help determine whether atropine is appropriate for your child, select a suitable concentration, and monitor their response over time.

Is Atropine Right for My Child?

• Easy to incorporate into a daily routine. Atropine is typically administered as one drop in each eye at bedtime.

• Suitable for a range of prescriptions. Atropine may be considered for children with mild, moderate, or higher levels of myopia, depending on their individual needs.

• Generally well tolerated. Most children tolerate low-dose atropine well, although some may experience light sensitivity, glare, or difficulty focusing on nearby objects. Side effects tend to become more common at higher concentrations.

• Can be combined with other treatments. In certain cases, atropine may be used alongside myopia management eyeglasses or contact lenses, particularly when myopia continues to progress.

• Requires ongoing monitoring. Some children experience faster myopia progression after stopping atropine, sometimes called a rebound effect. We'll help determine when and how treatment should be discontinued.

• Not every child responds the same way. The appropriate concentration depends on factors such as age, progression rate, treatment response, and tolerance.

Glasses that do more than help your child see clearly. They can also help slow their worsening nearsightedness.

For years, when a child's nearsightedness increased, the solution was simply to prescribe stronger glasses. While traditional eyeglasses correct blurry vision, they do little to slow the progression of myopia.

Today, specialized myopia management eyeglasses offer families a better option.

At Helio Optometry, we offer two leading myopia management spectacle lenses: HOYA MiYOSMART and Essilor Stellest. Both use innovative optical technologies designed to provide clear vision while helping slow the excessive eye growth responsible for worsening nearsightedness.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that these specialized lenses can significantly slow myopia progression in children, with some studies reporting reductions of approximately 50% or more compared with traditional single-vision glasses. Results vary depending on the lens design, the child's age, and how consistently the glasses are worn.

For the greatest benefit, children should wear their myopia management glasses consistently throughout the day, including during reading and other near activities, unless their optometrist recommends otherwise.

The best part? For most children, wearing myopia management glasses feels much like wearing their regular glasses, but with the added benefit of helping manage their nearsightedness as they grow.

Are Myopia Management Eyeglasses Right for My Child?

• An excellent option for younger children. Specialized eyeglasses may be particularly appealing for children who are too young for contact lenses or simply prefer wearing glasses.

• Easy to incorporate into everyday life. Children can wear their glasses at school, while reading, playing, and participating in most daily activities.

• No contact lens handling or eye drops required. This makes eyeglasses a convenient choice for families looking for a straightforward treatment.

• Consistent wear is important. Myopia management glasses are generally intended for full-time wear, with the recommended schedule depending on the specific lens.

• Designed to look like regular glasses. Although the lenses contain specialized optical designs, they look similar to conventional eyeglass lenses and fit into a wide selection of children's frames.

• Backed by clinical research. Both MiYOSMART and Stellest have demonstrated effectiveness in slowing childhood myopia progression.

• Regular monitoring is still necessary. We'll continue to assess your child's prescription and treatment response, typically every six months.

Two Leading Lens Technologies. One Important Goal.

At Helio Optometry, we offer both MiYOSMART and Stellest because we believe families should have access to different treatment options.

Both lenses are designed to slow myopia progression, but they use different optical technologies. We'll help you understand their differences and recommend an option suited to your child's needs.

Clear vision, freedom from glasses, and a proven way to help slow your child's worsening nearsightedness.

For children who love playing sports, staying active, or simply prefer not to wear glasses, contact lenses can be an excellent option. But what if those contact lenses could do more than just correct blurry vision?

At Helio Optometry, we offer MiSight 1-day contact lenses by CooperVision, specially designed to help slow the progression of childhood myopia while providing clear, comfortable vision throughout the day.

Unlike traditional contact lenses, MiSight lenses use innovative ActivControl technology to correct nearsightedness while creating a specialized optical treatment effect that helps slow excessive eye growth.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that MiSight lenses can slow myopia progression by approximately 59% on average over three years compared with conventional single-vision contact lenses. Individual results will vary.

MiSight lenses are also daily disposables, meaning your child starts each morning with a fresh, sterile pair and simply throws them away at bedtime. There's no need for cleaning solutions or overnight storage.

For the greatest benefit, children are generally encouraged to wear their MiSight lenses for at least 10 hours per day, six days per week, as recommended in the clinical study.

It's an opportunity to give your child the freedom of contact lenses while actively managing their nearsightedness.

Are MiSight Contact Lenses Right for My Child?

• Great for active children. Whether your child plays hockey, soccer, basketball, or enjoys other activities, contact lenses provide clear vision without glasses getting in the way.

• Freedom and confidence. Many children enjoy the independence of contact lenses, and research suggests that contact lens wear can improve satisfaction with appearance and participation in activities.

• Children can learn to wear contact lenses safely. Many children, including those as young as eight, can successfully learn to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses with proper instruction and parental support.

• Fresh lenses every day. MiSight lenses are discarded after each use, eliminating the need for cleaning solutions and storage cases.

• Clinically proven myopia control. MiSight lenses have demonstrated meaningful reductions in myopia progression and eye elongation in clinical studies.

• Healthy wearing habits are essential. As with all contact lenses, there is a small risk of eye infection or inflammation. Proper handwashing, avoiding water exposure, never sleeping in the lenses, and following the recommended replacement schedule are important.

• Not every prescription is suitable. MiSight lenses are available in a defined prescription range, and suitability also depends on your child's eye health, comfort, and ability to handle contact lenses.

• Regular follow-up appointments. We'll monitor your child's vision, eye health, contact lens fit, and myopia progression to ensure treatment remains appropriate.

Is My Child Old Enough for Contact Lenses?

This is one of the most common questions parents ask us.

You might be surprised to learn that many elementary-school-aged children can successfully wear contact lenses.

Age alone doesn't determine readiness. What's more important is your child's maturity, motivation, hygiene habits, and willingness to learn.

At Helio Optometry, we'll assess whether MiSight is appropriate and teach your child how to insert, remove, and handle their lenses safely.

For the right child, MiSight offers more than freedom from glasses. It provides an opportunity to help manage their nearsightedness during the years when their eyes are still growing.