Myopia (Nearsightedness) Treatment in Palo Alto CA

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition in which distant objects appear blurred, while close objects can still be seen clearly. It is the most frequent refractive impairment in both children and adults. Myopia is increasing around the world, and high myopia (powerful prescription) is a risk factor for serious eye problems later in life. At Eyes of the Bay, we offer thorough eye examinations, accurate corrective prescriptions, and professional solutions to slow down myopia and preserve vision throughout the process.

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Understanding Myopia

In a myopic eye, light converges to a point in front of the retina, rather than directly on it, causing distant objects to appear blurred. Myopia typically first develops in children and can persist throughout their lives. Glasses or contact lenses can bring blurred vision back into clear focus. Still, uncorrected growth (particularly in children) can result in severe myopia.

Uncomplicated high myopia is associated with an increased risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataract, and maculopathy. National authorities now recognize myopia as a serious new health issue, and studies show that lifestyle factors, such as less exposure time to the outdoors, can lead to its onset. Due to these concerns, regular ophthalmic check-ups and early treatment are crucial.

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Comprehensive Myopia Services

We provide a complete range of myopia services at Eyes of the Bay:

• Routine Vision Screening and Eye Exams

Each myopia service starts with a thorough eye exam. We measure refractive error and visual acuity using state-of-the-art equipment. For children and young adults, we typically employ cycloplegic refraction (dilation) to precisely measure prescription. Early exams are particularly crucial in children – indeed, optometry standards suggest that a child should have their first eye test by 6–12 months and then follow up annually or as required. Early detection of myopia allows us to monitor its progression and initiate treatment more effectively.

• Contact Lenses and Prescription Glasses

We offer personalized correction of myopia with quality lenses. Our optical dispensary offers a wide selection of frames and lenses for children and adults. We accommodate traditional single-vision glasses or standard soft contact lenses for near eyesight. For most patients, particularly those with stable myopia, a current glasses or contact lens prescription returns sharp vision and everyday comfort.

• Specialized Myopia Control Treatments

Apart from regular correction, we also provide innovative treatments that can help decelerate the growth of nearsightedness (myopia control). They are:

• • Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Special gas-permeable contact lenses (Paragon CRT) are worn during sleep to reform the cornea. Once removed in the morning, the lenses allow light to be focused correctly, enabling clear vision throughout the day without the need for corrective lenses such as glasses or contacts. Ortho-K is FDA-cleared and works for children or young adults; our eye doctor is a Paragon CRT orthokeratology-certified doctor.
  • MiSight Daily Contact Lenses: These daily contact lenses (CooperVision MiSight 1-day) feature dual-focus optical technology that slows down eye elongation. Clinical trials indicate that children and adolescents who wear MiSight lenses for myopia control progress significantly less than those who wear regular contacts.
  • Pharmaceutical Treatment (Atropine Drops): Low-dose atropine drops (0.01% to 0.05%) are administered nightly to safely slow myopic growth in children. The treatment may be used in conjunction with other therapies for enhanced effect and requires regular monitoring during office visits.
  • Multifocal Eyeglass Lenses: Bifocal or progressive addition lenses are suggested in some children and adults. There is evidence that these lenses reduce myopia progression modestly in young patients.
  • Lifestyle Counseling: We instruct patients on visual practices. Promoting 1–2 hours of outdoor time per day can decelerate myopia development.

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Advanced Technology and Diagnostic Techniques

Our Palo Alto office utilizes diagnostic technology to treat myopia with precision. We use digital refraction equipment and autorefractors for prescription verification, in addition to phoropters and retinoscopes for confirmation in a clinical setting.

We utilize a corneal topographer to topographically map the shape of the cornea with micrometer precision for orthokeratology and contact lens fitting. This enables us to create highly individualized Ortho-K lenses and fittings tailored to each eye. Additionally, we utilize slit-lamp examinations and retinal imaging, including fundus photography and scanning laser technology, to monitor eye health over time.

In other instances, we take axial length (eye length) measurements to monitor myopia progression quantitatively. Our state-of-the-art technology enables us to identify even the slightest shifts early on and fit all vision correction options (glasses or contact lenses) accurately.

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Meet Our Myopia Care Team

Dr. Cindy Pouw, OD, a pediatric vision and myopia management therapeutic optometrist, leads Eyes of the Bay. She is extensively trained in clinical optometry and certified in superior methods of myopia control. She is a Doctor of Optometry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She has spent her career treating all conditions affecting the eyes, with a keen interest in slowing down nearsightedness in teenagers and children. She was a Board Trustee of the Santa Clara County Optometry Society and regularly mentors young optometrists.

In addition to Dr. Pouw, our clinical staff includes certified opticians and support personnel who are knowledgeable about vision care and pediatric eye health. Our front-desk and medical assistants undergo training to support families through scheduling, vision screening, and contact lens fitting education.

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Insurance and Payment Information

Eyes of the Bay is an active participant with most vision and medical insurance plans. For eyeglasses and vision exams, we take most vision plans (please check your plan when booking).

Patients may use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for qualifying services and products. We also accept major credit cards and offer financing options for elective treatments, including orthokeratology and specialty contact lens programs.

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Schedule an Appointment at Eyes of the Bay

To schedule a complete eye exam or myopia consultation for you or your child, call us. You can also request an appointment from our online scheduling system on our website.