If your child has been diagnosed with myopia (nearsightedness), it’s normal to assume they will need to be fitted for corrective eyewear, or that their prescription will worsen as they grow up. 

The truth is, when spotted early by your eye doctor, this common refractive error can be corrected in many children. MiSight from CooperVision was designed to do just that. It’s a contact lens approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to correct and slow myopia in kids. 

“They’re like a two-in-one,” says Ian Ymalay, O.D. He’s an optometrist for America’s Best Eyecare + Eyewear in Algonquin, Illinois, and a consultant for CooperVision. “They help your child see just like any other contact lens, but they also treat their nearsightedness by restricting its progression.” 

Read on to find out what MiSight contact lenses are — and how they can help your child. (But first, a quick overview of nearsightedness.) 

What is myopia?  

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a common refractive error. If you’re nearsighted, it means you have trouble seeing objects that are far away. 

Light that enters the eye is supposed to focus on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that helps make sense of what you see. But when the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear outer layer of the front of the eye) is too curved, the light that enters the eye doesn’t focus where it should on the retina. As a result, objects at a distance look blurred. 

Did you know that kids with vision problems should get their eyes checked every year? Now’s the time to book an appointment! 

How does nearsightedness affect kids?  

Myopia can affect people of all ages, including children. In fact, it affects an estimated 5% of preschoolers, 9% of school-age children, and 30% of adolescents. 

What are MiSight contact lenses?  

MiSight is the first and only daily disposable soft contact lens approved by the FDA to correct and slow myopia in kids. With MiSight, your child can see better and prevent their nearsightedness from worsening as they get older. Research shows that, on average, over three years, MiSight lenses slowed the progression of myopia in kids ages 8 to 12 at the initiation of treatment by 59%, compared with a single-vision one-day lens. 

How do MiSight contact lenses work?  

MiSight is similar to other soft daily disposable contact lenses. “Kids wear them in the morning and throw them out at the end of the day,” says Dr. Ymalay.  

However, MiSight is more than a typical contact lens. “There are concentric rings on the lens, and parts of it have your prescription so you can see, but parts of it introduce blur to the back of the eye,” says Dr. Ymalay. These “treatment zones,” or areas of blur, help slow the lengthening of the eyeball by refocusing light inside the eyes. 

Who is a good candidate for MiSight contact lenses? And who isn’t? 

Children with myopia are ideal candidates for MiSight contact lenses. In particular, these contacts are well suited to kids who have shown a significant change in their prescription — at least 1 diopter (the unit of measurement used for an eye prescription) — over one year. “That’s when you need to have a strong conversation with the parents about halting this growth,” says Dr. Ymalay. 

MiSight lenses aren’t a good fit for kids who have moderate to severe astigmatism along with nearsightedness. Astigmatism is marked by a misshapen cornea or lens that prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, causing blurred vision at any distance. “Currently, the technology doesn’t accommodate for astigmatism greater than .075D spherical equivalent,” says Dr. Ymalay. 

How do I order MiSight contact lenses from America’s Best?  

If you’re interested in getting MiSight contact lenses for your child, make an appointment with an America’s Best optometrist who’s certified in MiSight. The eye doctor will give your child a contact lens exam to determine if they’re a good candidate for MiSight. This exam involves checking your child’s vision, determining their prescription, and measuring their eyes for the proper lens fit. 

The eye doctor will also ask your child to insert and remove the contact lenses in the office. This helps make sure the lenses are a comfortable fit, and it’s also good practice for when your child will be doing it at home by themself. 

Once your child’s prescription is determined, you can order the lenses in stores or online. 

 

How can I save money on MiSight contact lenses?  

For the best value, consider joining the America’s Best Eyecare Club. Eyecare Club members receive 10% off any order of contact lenses. The Eyecare Club can help save you money in other ways too, like getting a 10% discount on eyeglasses and accessories. Eye exams are also included in the club (up to two per year). Learn more here. 

How are MiSight contact lenses worn?  

Like other daily disposables, MiSight lenses are worn for one day and then discarded. Dr. Ymalay emphasizes the importance of putting in the lenses within half an hour of waking and taking them out before bed. “The idea is to treat myopia,” he explains. “If they’re only wearing the lenses for six hours, they’re only getting treatment for six hours.” 

Your child might only use MiSight lenses for a few years, until your optometrist determines their myopia has stopped progressing, according to Dr. Ymalay. At that point, your child can begin using standard contact lenses. 

How do I help my child take care of MiSight contact lenses?  

The beauty of MiSight contact lenses is that they’re easy to care for. Because they’re daily disposable lenses, they don’t require cleaning in a contact lens solution. Your child can simply toss out their lenses at the end of the day.  

However, it’s still possible for germs to get onto the lenses. If those germs make their way onto your child’s eyes, they can create a painful, irritating eye infection. So, have your child wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before inserting or removing their lenses. And encourage them to avoid touching their eyes during the day.   

Talk to your optometrist about whether MiSight contact lenses might be right for your child. And remember to take your child for regular eye exams. Nearsightedness can only be slowed if it’s caught early. 

Medically reviewed by Ian Ymalay, O.D. 

Recommended reading: Ask an Optometrist: Is There Anything I Can Do to Prevent Myopia in My Child?

See our sources: 
Myopia in children and teens: American Academy of Pediatrics 
MiSight 1 day lens facts: CooperVision 
Astigmatism basics: American Optometric Association 
Healthy contact lens wear and care facts: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention