Myopia management for children
Myopia control for kids in Bloomingdale and DuPage County
If your child's glasses get stronger every year, there is more you can do than update the prescription. Dr. Nayan Patel offers proven treatments to slow nearsightedness and protect your child's long-term eye health.
- AAOMC member
- Clinical myopia researcher
- MiSight · Stellest · Ortho-k · Atropine
Your doctor
Dr. Nayan Patel, OD
Optometry & Myopia Management
Dr. Patel is a board-certified optometrist with 13 years of clinical experience in a hospital clinical setting, with an emphasis on ocular disease, myopia management and specialty contact lenses. He provides comprehensive eye exams for all ages, is a member of the American Academy of Orthokeratology & Myopia Control, and conducts clinical research on myopia progression.
Why it matters
Nearsightedness is more than blurry vision
Myopia usually starts in childhood and tends to worsen until the late teens. Each increase raises the long-term risk of sight-threatening conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, early cataracts and myopic maculopathy.
Myopia management aims to slow that progression during the years when the eye is growing fastest. Slowing it even partly can make a meaningful difference to your child's eye health as an adult.
Signs to watch for: squinting at the board or TV, sitting very close to screens, headaches, or a prescription that changes at every exam.
Your myopia specialist
Dr. Nayan Patel, OD
- Board certified optometrist13 years of clinical experience in a hospital clinical setting, with an emphasis on ocular disease, myopia management and specialty contact lenses.
- Member, American Academy of Orthokeratology & Myopia ControlDedicated training in myopia control and ortho-k.
- Clinical researcher and educatorConducts clinical research on myopia progression and teaches future optometry students.
Treatment options
Compare myopia control options
Every child is different. Dr. Patel recommends an option based on your child's age, prescription, lifestyle and comfort with contact lenses.
| Option | What it is | How it's used | Often a good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MiSight 1 day | Soft daily disposable contact lenses with a special optical design. FDA-approved to slow myopia in children aged 8 to 12 at the start of treatment. | Worn during the day, new pair every morning | Active kids ready for daily contacts |
| Stellest lenses | Eyeglass lenses with a pattern of tiny lenslets designed to slow myopia progression. | Worn as regular glasses, all day | Children who prefer glasses |
| Orthokeratology | Custom rigid lenses that gently reshape the front of the eye overnight. | Worn while sleeping, removed in the morning | Kids who want clear vision without glasses during the day, including sports and swimming |
| Multifocal contacts | Soft contact lenses with zones for distance and near focus. | Worn during the day | Older children and teens comfortable with contacts |
| Low-dose atropine | Compounded, very diluted eye drops. | One drop at bedtime, alongside glasses or contacts | Younger children, or combined with lenses for added effect |
Treatment plans and costs vary. Schedule a consultation for a personal recommendation.
What to expect
How our myopia program works
Comprehensive exam
A full eye exam to measure your child's prescription and check eye health.
Myopia consultation
We review risk factors, discuss options and go over the treatment plan and cost with you.
Start treatment
Lens fitting or a prescription for drops, with clear instructions for your child and family.
Regular monitoring
Follow-up visits to track progression and adjust treatment as your child grows.
FAQ
Myopia management questions
What is myopia management?
Myopia management (also called myopia control) uses specially designed lenses or eye drops to slow how quickly a child's nearsightedness gets worse, instead of only correcting blurry vision with stronger glasses each year.
At what age should myopia control start?
The earlier the better. Myopia often begins between ages 6 and 12 and progresses fastest in younger children, so starting treatment early gives the most benefit. Dr. Patel will recommend the right timing for your child.
Is my child too young for contact lenses?
Many children do very well with contact lenses. MiSight 1 day lenses are FDA-approved for slowing myopia in children who are 8 to 12 years old when they start treatment.
Is myopia management covered by insurance, and how much does it cost?
Myopia management is often partly or fully out of pocket, depending on your plan, and cost depends on the treatment option. We review the treatment plan and cost with you during your consultation.
Will my child still need glasses?
Children using MiSight or ortho-k usually see clearly without glasses during the day. Children using atropine drops still wear glasses or contacts, and Stellest lenses are worn as everyday glasses.
Schedule a myopia consultation
Book online or call 630-242-2455. Spanish available for basic eye exams.