Myopia has become an increasingly common vision condition, especially among children and adolescents. As technology and lifestyle changes contribute to a rise in screen time and indoor activities, myopia progression is becoming a growing concern for eye care professionals. While glasses and traditional contact lenses can correct myopia, multifocal contact lenses offer a promising approach to slow its progression.

Understanding Myopia

Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long, or the cornea is too curved, causing light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This results in blurry vision when looking at distant objects.
 

Myopia typically begins in childhood and can progress as the eye continues to grow. While the exact causes of myopia are not fully understood, both genetic and environmental factors, such as prolonged near work and insufficient outdoor time, are believed to play a role in its development.
 

How Multifocal Contact Lenses Work

Multifocal contact lenses are designed with different lens zones that provide varying levels of focus for both near and distant objects. Unlike traditional contact lenses, which have a single power, multifocal lenses include concentric rings or aspheric designs that help correct vision at different distances.
 

In the context of myopia management, the science behind multifocal lenses lies in how they modify the way light is focused on the retina. When wearing multifocal lenses, light is focused both in front of and directly on the retina. This dual focus is key to slowing myopia progression. By creating what is known as “peripheral defocus,” these lenses alter the light that reaches the peripheral retina (the edges of the retina), which sends signals to the brain to reduce the eye's growth rate.
 

Clinical Evidence for Myopia Control

Numerous studies support the efficacy of multifocal contact lenses in slowing the progression of myopia in children. One prominent study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, found that children who wore multifocal contact lenses experienced significantly less myopia progression compared to those wearing single-vision lenses. Over a three-year period, children with multifocal lenses showed a reduction in eye elongation by as much as 43%.
 

These findings have led eye care professionals to recommend multifocal lenses as an effective option for managing myopia in young patients. Additionally, multifocal contact lenses offer the added benefit of providing clear vision at all distances, making them a convenient and practical solution for children and adults alike.
 

Get Started with Optometry Medical Group Today

The science behind multifocal contact lenses and their ability to control myopia lies in the concept of peripheral defocus and how it influences eye growth. By reducing the stimulus for eye elongation, these lenses provide an effective tool in the fight against myopia progression, helping to protect the long-term eye health of children and adolescents. At Optometry Medical Group, we specialize in fitting multifocal contact lenses tailored to your unique vision needs.
 

To learn more about how multifocal contact lenses can benefit your child, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Optometry Medical Group. Visit our offices in Seattle, Washington, call (206) 322-6915 for our Rainier office, or call (206) 395-2285 for our Madison office.