Myopia (nearsightedness) causes distant objects to appear blurry while close objects remain clear. It typically develops when the eye grows too long from front to back—a measurement called axial length. Most children are diagnosed between ages 5-7, with progression often continuing until ages 12-16.

This condition has reached alarming rates in North Dakota and worldwide. Nearly 30% of the global population is currently myopic, with projections showing this could increase to 50% by 2050—affecting over 5 billion people. In Mandan and Bismarck communities, we’re seeing more children affected each year, making early intervention crucial.

Myopia isn’t just about needing stronger glasses. As your child’s prescription worsens, they face increased risks of serious eye diseases later in life, including retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, glaucoma, and early-onset cataracts. Research indicates that by 2050, 55.7 million people could experience visual impairment due to myopic maculopathy, with 18.5 million facing blindness. At Vision Source Mandan, we’re committed to changing these statistics for our local families.

Myopia Management at Vision Source Mandan involves specialized treatments designed to slow the elongation of your child’s eye, thereby reducing myopia progression. While we can’t reverse existing myopia, our Mandan eye doctors can significantly slow its advancement using several proven methods:

The Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program with CooperVision MiSight® 1-Day contact lenses is our primary approach. These FDA-approved lenses are specifically designed for children ages 8-12 at treatment initiation. Our doctors provide comprehensive training to ensure your child feels comfortable inserting, removing, and caring for their lenses—even if they’ve never worn contacts before.

For children who aren’t candidates for MiSight lenses due to astigmatism or other factors, we offer alternative options including specialized soft multifocal contact lenses, low-dose atropine eye drops, or specialized eyeglasses. Our innovative Essilor Stellest eyeglass lenses for our Mandan and Bismarck patients are now FDA approved! These lenses slowed myopia progression by 71% over 2 years versus standard eyeglasses. You can read more about this research here.

During your child’s comprehensive eye exam at Vision Source Mandan, our doctors will evaluate their risk for myopia progression. If indications warrant further investigation, we’ll schedule a specialized Myopia Management Consultation with additional testing to determine the best treatment options for your child’s unique needs.

Our myopia management program includes:

• Detailed measurements of your child’s eye length and prescription changes

• Customized treatment recommendations based on age, lifestyle, and vision needs

• Regular monitoring appointments to track progress and adjust treatment as needed

• Digital eye strain management strategies for school and home

• Guidance on environmental factors like outdoor time (2+ hours daily) and proper reading distances

We understand that each child in Mandan and Bismarck has different needs. Some children may not be candidates for contact lenses due to age or comfort level. For these patients, we offer alternative treatments including atropine eye drops and specialized eyeglass designs that have shown effectiveness in slowing myopia progression.