Myopia Management in Marietta & Metro Atlanta

The Myopia Epidemic: Why Families in Marietta and Metro Atlanta Should Pay Attention

Myopia (nearsightedness) is increasing at an unprecedented rate.

• In the early 1970s, approximately 24% of Americans were myopic.
• By the early 2000s, that number increased to 44%.
• Nearly 50% of the global population is projected to be myopic by 2050.¹

For families in Marietta, Cobb County, and across Metro Atlanta, this trend matters. High myopia increases the lifetime risk of retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and earlier cataracts.²

At Marietta Eye Clinic, we provide myopia management for children throughout Marietta, Roswell, Woodstock, Cumming, Johns Creek, and the greater Metro Atlanta area. Our goal is to slow eye growth during childhood and help protect long-term eye health.

Marietta Eye Clinic has also conducted clinical research studies in myopia management. This allows us to stay aligned with the latest evidence and provide care based on current research.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back. Light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it, causing blurry distance vision.

Myopia most commonly develops between ages 3 and 16, when the eyes are still growing.

Glasses and contact lenses improve vision, but they do not slow the underlying eye growth.

Why Does Myopia Progress?

Research suggests that peripheral blur may signal the eye to continue growing. Standard glasses correct central vision but may not address this peripheral effect.

Myopia management treatments are designed to both correct vision and help slow eye growth.

Because of our clinical research experience, we monitor progression carefully using evidence-based approaches.

Risk Factors for Myopia

Non-Modifiable Factors

• Family history of myopia
• Younger age at onset

Modifiable Factors

• Limited time outdoors³
• Increased near work (reading, homework, screens)⁴
• Higher daily screen time at near (i.e. phones and tablets)¹⁰

Encouraging outdoor activity and balanced screen use is an important part of managing myopia.

Why Slowing Myopia Matters

Higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risk of:

• Retinal detachment
• Myopic macular degeneration
• Glaucoma
• Earlier cataracts²

Slowing myopia during childhood may reduce the risk of these conditions later in life.

Myopia Treatment Options in Marietta & Metro Atlanta

Treatment is personalized based on your child’s needs.

Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops

• Nightly eye drops
• Shown to slow progression in clinical studies
• Generally mild side effects

MiSight® Daily Disposable Contact Lenses (FDA Approved)

• Designed for myopia control in children
• Shown to reduce progression in clinical trials

NaturalVue® Multifocal Contact Lenses

• Daily disposable lenses
• Used for myopia control in a wider range of prescriptions

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

• Overnight lenses worn during sleep
• Clear vision during the day without glasses
• Helps slow progression

Follow-up: Structured schedule

Stellest® Myopia Control Glasses (FDA Approved)

• Specially designed lenses to slow myopia
• Available through MEC Optical in Marietta

When Should My Child Be Evaluated?

Consider scheduling an evaluation if your child:

• Is between ages 3–16
• Has increasing prescriptions each year
• Has one or two myopic parents
• Spends significant time on screens or near work

Early evaluation allows for earlier intervention.

Schedule a Myopia Consultation at Marietta Eye Clinic

Marietta Eye Clinic provides pediatric eye care and myopia management for families throughout Marietta and Metro Atlanta.

Call 770-427-8111 to schedule today!

Pediatric Myopia Specialists at Marietta Eye Clinic

Monica Bratton, M.D. – Ophthalmologist

Dr. Bratton is a pediatric eye surgeon who specializes in pediatric ophthalmology and both pediatric and adult strabismus. She provides vision care and eye specialist services for children with complex eye problems as well as adults with eye misalignment. She is a fellow with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and is a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Dr. Bratton provides services in the Kennestone, Acworth, and Towne Lake (Woodstock) locations. Read more about Dr. Bratton here.

Kayla Akers, O.D. – Optometrist

Dr. Akers works as a pediatric optometrist and an adult optometrist. As an eye doctor, she provides adult and child eye exams at our eye care center. As part of our team of eye doctors, she diagnoses ocular disease, provides comprehensive eye exams, and write prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses. Dr. Akers also provides referrals to Marietta Eye Clinic ophthalmologists, retina specialists, cornea specialists, glaucoma specialists, and cataract specialists. She earned her doctor of optometry degree at the University of Alabama School of Optometry and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Read more about Dr. Akers here.

Brandy Augustine, O.D. – Optometrist

Dr. Augustine is an eye doctor who offers optometric care. As an optometrist, she provides services to the Kennestone, Windy Hill, and Roswell locations. In addition to providing primary care optometry, Dr. Augustine specializes in ocular disease, ocular surgery co-management, and contact lens. She attended the University of Georgia and completed her doctor of optometry degree with honors at the University of Alabama. She earned an additional master’s degree in public health and completed a residency in ocular disease and low vision. Read more about Dr. Augustine here.

Jared Cox, O.D. – Optometrist

Dr. Jared Cox is an optometrist with extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, and completed his Doctor of Optometry degree at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. During his optometric training, Dr. Cox received broad clinical education in primary care, pediatrics, contact lenses, and ocular pathology, and further expanded his hands-on experience through externships at Batesville Eye Care in Arkansas and Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Following graduation, Dr. Cox practiced in a variety of clinical and research settings, including roles as a Glaucoma Specialist, Therapeutic Optometrist, and Research Optometrist. His career has included managing glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and dry eye disease, as well as participating in contact lens research and contributing to professional optometric publications. Dr. Cox sees patients at Marietta Eye Clinic’s Cumming and Johns Creek locations. Read more about Dr. Cox.

Mahsa Masoudi, O.D. – Optometrist

Dr. Masoudi is an eye doctor who provides Primary Care Optometry, specializing in Ocular Disease, and Ocular Surgery Co-Management. She serves patients at both Kennestone and East Cobb. Dr. Masoudi is a member of the Great Atlanta Optometric Association, Georgia Optometric Association, and American Optometric Association.  Dr. Masoudi is a Marietta, GA native who attended the University of Georgia and received her Doctor of Optometry Degree at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry.  Outside of work, she enjoys rock climbing (both indoor & outdoors), yoga, running, tennis, board games, and movies (Schwarzenegger flicks have a special place in her heart.)  Learn more about Dr. Masoudi here.

Cara Robison, O.D. – Optometrist

Dr. Robison is an optometrist with specialties in pediatric optometry, specialty contact lens fits, and ocular disease.  Dr. Robison earned her Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis after completing her undergraduate studies in biology at Mississippi State University.  During her time at the Southern College of Optometry, she held a position as an officer in her class and actively participated in the Student Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity (SVOSH) program. Through SVOSH, she had the opportunity to join mission trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic, providing vital eye examinations, medications, and glasses to individuals who lacked access to these resources. Dr. Robison will be seeing patients at Marietta Eye Clinic’s Cumming and Johns Creek locations. Read more about Dr. Robison.

References:

1. Fricke TR, Jong M, Naidoo KS, Sankaridurg P, Naduvilath TJ, Ho SM, Wong TY, Resnikoff S. Global prevalence of visual impairment associated with myopic macular degeneration and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050: systematic review, meta-analysis and modeling. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018 Jul;102(7): 855-862. 

2. Wong TY, Ferreira A, Hughes R, Carter G, Mitchell P. Epidemiology and disease burden of pathologic myopia and myopic choroidal neovascularization: an evidence-based systematic review. Am J Ophthalmol. 2014 Jan;157(1): 9-25.e12. 

3. Wu et al.: Myopia prevention and outdoor light intensity in a school-based cluster randomized trial. Ophthalmology. 2018; 125:1239-125O.

4. Huang H-M, Chang DS-T, Wu P-C (2015) The Association between Near Work Activities and Myopia in Children—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS ONE 10(10).

5. Yam JC, Li FF, Zhang X, Tang SM, Yip BHK, Kam KW, Ko ST, Young AL, Tham CC, Chen LJ, Pang CP. Two-Year Clinical Trial of the Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study: Phase 2 Report. Ophthalmology. 2020 Jul; 127(7): 910-919. 

6. Chamberlain P, et al. A 3-year randomized clinical trial of MiSight® lenses for myopia control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019; 96(8): 556-67

7. Stellest Website: https://www.essilor.com/uk-en/products/stellest/

8. Bao J, Huang Y, Li X, et al. Spectacle Lenses With Aspherical Lenslets for Myopia Control vs Single-Vision Spectacle Lenses: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022;140(5):472–478.

9. Use of Orthokeratology for the Prevention of Myopic Progression in Children

VanderVeen, Deborah K. et al. Ophthalmology, Volume 126, Issue 4, 623 – 636

10. Ha A, Lee YJ, Lee M, Shim SR, Kim YK. Digital Screen Time and Myopia: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Feb 3;8(2):e2460026.