Our opticians at John O’Connor Optometrists frequently get questions from concerned parents about the best options for managing their children’s myopia, or nearsightedness. One of the promising advancements in this area that we often recommend are Misight 1 day contact lenses.
What are Misight Daytime Contact Lenses?
Misight 1 day lenses are soft, single-use contact lenses developed by CooperVision. They are FDA-approved and have been clinically proven to decrease myopia progression for children ages 8-12.
These lenses are worn during the day and disposed of each evening, so they are a convenient and hygienic option. No need for cleaning solutions or storage cases, which reduces the risk of eye infections and makes lens care easier for children and parents alike. The lenses are also soft and comfortable, making them easier for children to adapt to.
How do they work?
Thanks to their special optical design, Misight lenses work in two ways. They simultaneously correct the child’s vision and they slow the progression of myopia. The lenses feature concentric rings that create myopic defocus, which has been shown to reduce the rate at which myopia progresses.
What is myopic defocus
Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back. This causes light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, resulting in blurry distance vision. Myopic defocus aims to counteract this by altering the way light is focused in the eye. Independent studies have shown that children wearing these lenses experience a significant reduction in myopia progression compared to those wearing standard lenses.
A 2019 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States concluded that children wearing multifocal lenses experienced significantly slower myopia progression compared to those wearing single-vision lenses.
How Misight lenses create myopic defocus
Basically, the central part of the lens corrects the child’s myopic vision, allowing them to see clearly at all distances. Misight lenses’ also have special concentric rings around the central zone that create a slight defocus in front of the retina. The eye sees this ‘blur’ as a signal to slow down the elongation of the eyeball.
Regular exposure to this myopic defocus helps to manage and reduce myopia progression because eye growth is slowed down; the eye elongation is slower. This helps to reduce the likelihood of developing higher levels of myopia as the child grows.
Are Misight lenses better than glasses?
Glasses are a tried-and-true way of correcting vision, and they are often the first line of defence against myopia. They are easy to use, don’t require touching the eyes, and come in a variety of styles to suit any child’s personality.
However, while glasses are a reliable choice, they don’t offer the same benefits as Misight lenses in terms of myopia control. Glasses correct vision, but they don’t slow the progression of myopia. Glasses can also restrict peripheral vision, which can be limiting during sports and other dynamic activities. Misight contact lenses, on the other hand, provide a full field of vision.
And speaking of sports, glasses can be a real nuisance for busy, active kids. Glasses can fall off faces and are constantly needing to be fixed, adjusted or replaced because they get broken or scratched.
Misight lenses can allow kids to get on and engage in activities without having to worry about damaging their glasses.

Why managing myopia is important
Misight contact lenses for myopia are a proactive approach to managing your child’s eyesight. While your child enjoys clear vision, the lenses are also working to slow down the worsening of their myopia. This can have long-term benefits, such as reducing the risk of developing serious eye conditions like retinal detachment or glaucoma later in life.
Are Misight Lenses right for your child?
Deciding whether Misight lenses are suitable for your child involves considering their lifestyle, and commitment to daily use. If your child is responsible enough to handle the routine of inserting and removing contact lenses and you’re looking for a solution that not only corrects vision but also manages myopia progression, Misight lenses could be an excellent option.
However, it’s essential you book your child in for a comprehensive eye examination and consultation with one of our eye care professionals before making a decision. We can work with you to determine the best approach for managing your child’s myopia.
See us to have your FAQs about Misight contact lenses for myopia answered
If you’d like to talk about your child’s vision and your options, call 09 522 1283 to schedule a comprehensive eye test. You can pop in and see our Henderson optometrists or visit our optometrists in Newmarket.