Myopia Control Clinic

The goal of our myopia control clinic is to help children have healthier eyes
for a lifetime. We accomplish this by keeping nearsighted (myopic) children from becoming more nearsighted over time. We know that a less nearsighted eye is a healthier eye. Higher amounts of myopia lead to an increased risk of glaucoma, cataract,
retinal detachment, and myopic degeneration. Research shows that children who are nearsighted typically worsen over time. The rate of myopia in the United States rose from 25% in 1971 to 41% in 2004, and it continues to grow. By the year 2050 it is
expected that half of the world’s population will be nearsighted! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now view progressive myopia as an epidemic.

Fortunately, you do not have to just watch your child continue to become more nearsighted. We now have the technology to slow this progression and in some cases stop it altogether. Myopia control techniques such as Overnight Sight (ONS) have been shown to slow the progression of myopia, resulting in lower prescriptions and healthier eyes.

Dr. Dwight Barnes is extremely dedicated to fighting the myopia epidemic and is recognized as an expert in the field of Myopia Control. He has been awarded fellowship in the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control, which is the
highest level of certification for specialists in Myopia Control. He is currently the only fellow of this academy in the Triangle and one of only 124 in the world. Being very nearsighted himself, Dr. Barnes has a passion for helping children who are
nearsighted. We invite you to call our office for an appointment (919-465-7400) with our Myopia Control Clinic to see if we can help preserve your child’s sight.

What is Myopia?

Myopia (nearsightedness) is the most common refractive error of the eye and it causes distant objects to be blurry and close objects to be clear. Myopia usually begins in childhood and tends to worsen with age. A myopic eye is elongated, causing
light to focus in front of the retina, leading to blurry distance vision

The Myopia Epidemic

The rate of myopia is on the rise, and it is estimated that by the year 2050 over half the world’s population will be nearsighted. Research shows that children who are nearsighted typically worsen over time. Higher amounts of myopia lead to an
increased risk of cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and myopic retinal degeneration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now views progressive childhood myopia as an epidemic.

Digital Eye Strain

The average American spends 7 hours a day on their digital devices, leading to significant levels of digital eye strain. In an indoor culture that emphasizes computer and mobile devices, children are more likely to have an increase in myopia, as the indoor visual environment lacks stimulation of peripheral vision.

Can Myopia Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent myopia in children is to spend more time playing outside. Children who spend more time outside have a significantly lower risk of myopia. Factors such as sunlight exposure and focusing on distant objects appear to play a role in decreasing the risk of myopia.

What if my Child is Already Nearsighted?

Fortunately you do not have to just watch your child continue to become more nearsighted! We now have myopia control strategies that can significantly slow down the progression of myopia

Overnight Sight

Our Overnight Sight program has helped hundreds of young patients stabilize their myopia progression.
In Overnight Sight, a corneal mold similar to a rigid contact lens is worn overnight while sleeping. The corneal mold gently reshapes the cornea, resulting in clear vision throughout the day without the use of glasses or contact lenses. Research has shown that Overnight Sight significantly slows the rate of myopia progression.

Prescription Eye Drops

Atropine is a medication that has been used for many years to dilate the pupil. Myopia
research has shown that atropine can slow the rate of myopia progression. When using atropine for myopia control, we prescribe a very dilute concentration that has minimal side effects.

Soft Contact Lenses for Myopia Control

In general soft contact lenses do nothing to slow the rate of myopia progression. However, more recently there are some very specific custom soft lenses available that cause the light rays to focus in front of the peripheral retina, thus slowing the rate of myopia progression.

How do I know Which Treatment is right for my child?

Our Myopia Control Clinic was established with the goal of keeping childrens’ eyes healthy by limiting the progression of myopia. We can perform diagnostic testing to help determine which treatment is most appropriate for your child. In certain cases a combination of treatments may be recommended.