Myopia (nearsightedness) affects 30% of Canadian children and is increasing rapidly. Without intervention, your child’s vision will continue to worsen throughout their school years, potentially leading to serious eye health risks later in life.
Starting myopia control early can slow progression by 50-60% and protect your child’s long-term vision.
If your eye is too long or your cornea is too curved, light won’t focus properly on the retina. If the light entering the eye isn’t properly focused, distant objects might appear blurry.
Myopia can develop as children’s eyes grow. Sometimes it happens spontaneously; other times it’s a hereditary condition.
While vision usually stabilizes around age 20, it’s important to control myopia in children to prevent high myopia. People with high myopia are at a higher risk of retinal detachment, macular degeneration, cataracts, and open-angle glaucoma, all of which can cause blindness.
We offer multiple evidence-based treatments. Your optometrist in any of our clinics in Ontario will recommend the best option based on your age, prescription, lifestyle, and treatment goals.
Glasses or contact lenses are common tools in the myopia management toolbox. At LMC Optometry, we offer MiSight contact lenses and MiyoSmart eyeglass lenses.
MiSight contact lenses are specially made for children with myopia. These soft, daily contact lenses have been shown to slow myopia progression in some children by up to 59%.
The lenses use a principle called peripheral defocus. They adjust your child’s peripheral vision and bend light to a point just in front of their retina, which prevents the eyes from growing longer and slows myopia down.
MiyoSmart lenses also use peripheral defocus to slow down myopia progression. Because they’re eyeglass lenses rather than contacts, they might be more appealing to kids and easier to wear.
Studies show that MiyoSmart lenses reduce myopia progression by 60%. These lenses are suitable for kids of all ages.
During your myopia control consultation with LMC, our optometrists will measure your child’s current prescription and progression rate, assess their eye health with comprehensive eye exam, and discuss their lifestyle factors like sports participation and screen time habits. We’ll review your family history, recommend a personalized treatment plan with expected outcomes, and answer all your questions about cost and insurance coverage.
✓ Specialized Training: Our optometrists have advanced certification in eye care
✓ Advanced Technology: Axial length measurement and corneal topography for precise tracking
✓ Multiple Treatment Options: We offer all evidence-based therapies, not just one
✓ Proven Track Record: We’ve helped hundreds of Ontario families slow their children’s myopia
✓ Insurance Expertise: We handle insurance verification and maximize your benefits
If your child has myopia, it’s important to monitor their eyes regularly to ensure their prescription is up to date.
Whether you want to control your child’s myopia or treat your own, our team can help. Book an appointment with LMC Optometry today.
Does your child:
Squint to see the board at school?
Sit very close to the TV?
Hold books or devices close to their face?
Complain of headaches or tired eyes?
Need stronger glasses every 6-12 months?
Have one or both parents with myopia?
If you answered yes to any of these, your child may benefit from myopia control. Schedule an appointment at one of our Ontario locations for a comprehensive myopia assessment.
Children often don’t realize their vision is worsening. Annual comprehensive eye exams are essential for early detection.
The earlier, the better. Treatment is most effective when started between ages 6-12, ideally as soon as myopia is detected. However, teenagers can also benefit, especially if they’re still showing progression.
The key is catching myopia early. This is why annual comprehensive eye exams at LMC Optometry starting at age 5 are so important.
Most children continue treatment until their late teens (around age 16-18) when eye growth naturally slows. Treatment duration varies by individual, but typically ranges from 3-8 years.
Once myopia stabilizes, your child can transition to regular glasses or contact lenses, or consider LASIK as an adult if desired.
Book your appointment at any of our convenient Ontario locations for a detailed eye exam.
Initial investment is higher than standard glasses, but consider the long-term value:
Prevents lifetime costs of progressively stronger prescriptions
Reduces risk of expensive eye disease treatment later
May qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement
Often covered partially by vision insurance
Coverage varies by plan. Many vision insurance plans now cover myopia control treatments, especially medical eye exams related to disease management. Contact LMC Optometry for more detail.
Our optometrist at LMC can diagnose and manage conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and digital eye strain.
It’s recommended to have an eye exam in an eye clinic at least once every two years, or annually if you have existing eye conditions or risk factors.
For minor vision issues like 20/40 acuity, contacts are usually an effective choice for correction. Different lenses are available at LMC Optometry for different refractive errors.
Annual eye exams are completely covered by OHIP for children (19 and under) and seniors (65 and older). However, adults aged 20-64 must pay for routine eye exams themselves or use private insurance, as these exams are not covered by OHIP.
You can book an appointment online through the LMC Optometry website or by calling the specific location nearest to you.
You’ll find our Barrie location in the Barrie Primary Care Campus on Bayview Drive.
You’ll find our Bayview location in the CNIB building.
Please note, the Bayview clinic does not carry eyeglass frames.
We have moved from King Street to Martha Street where we are on the second floor of the Bolton Professional Building.
You’ll find our Brampton location in SmartCentres Bramport on Bovaird Drive East.
Visit our Ottawa location in Cedarview Square off Tartan Drive.
Please note, the Ottawa clinic does not carry eyeglass frames.
We are located in the McDonald’s plaza on the corner of Bathurst and Tower Hill.
Closed on Saturdays of long weekends.
You’ll find our Scarborough location in the Ellesmere medical building.
Please note, the Scarborough clinic does not carry eyeglass frames.
LMC Thornhill Optometric Centre is located in the Tim Horton’s plaza, just off Steeles Avenue West.
You’ll find our Barrie location in the Barrie Primary Care Campus on Bayview Drive.
You’ll find our Bayview location in the CNIB building.
Please note, the Bayview clinic does not carry eyeglass frames.
We have moved from King Street to Martha Street where we are on the second floor of the Bolton Professional Building.
You’ll find our Brampton location in SmartCentres Bramport on Bovaird Drive East.
Visit our Ottawa location in Cedarview Square off Tartan Drive.
Please note, the Ottawa clinic does not carry eyeglass frames.
We are located in the McDonald’s plaza on the corner of Bathurst and Tower Hill.
Closed on Saturdays of long weekends.
You’ll find our Scarborough location in the Ellesmere medical building.
Please note, the Scarborough clinic does not carry eyeglass frames.
LMC Thornhill Optometric Centre is located in the Tim Horton’s plaza, just off Steeles Avenue West.
“Service is always fast. Staff are friendly. Dr. Blackstein has taken excellent care of me since I began seeing him.”
Lori Cutler – Vaughn
“The Optometrist explained everything to us and did a very thorough exam. She was very helpful and patient, and answered all of our questions.”
Deborah Cormack – Barrie
“Staff was happy and friendly. It was a pleasure to see, think I will return in a year for another check up.”
Michael Kondring – Barrie
“Dr M Sher was really good.”
Jim Gray – Vaughn
“Very good customer service.”
Johnny Geniole – Barrie
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