What to Add to Your Website on Myopia Management

Your optometry practice’s website often provides the first impression to potential patients and their families. When it comes to myopia management, creating clear, informative, and engaging content is essential. Myopia is a growing concern in Canada, with one study finding that its prevalence rises from 6.0% in children aged 6–8 to nearly 29% in those aged 11–13 years. The study also reported that 34.5% of myopic children in the sample were uncorrected,¹ highlighting the possibility that some children may not be receiving the vision care they need. Additionally, fewer than 14% of Canadian children under the age of six have ever had an eye exam, despite national recommendations for early vision care.²

By providing comprehensive information on myopia management on your website, your practice can play a crucial role in raising awareness among parents. A well-structured website with dedicated myopia content can position your clinic as a trusted authority, encouraging more parents to seek myopia management for their children. This article will go through the key elements to include on your website, from essential educational content and treatment options to effective communication strategies that engage parents and highlight your expertise in myopia management.

1. Provide a Concise Explanation of Myopia

Include a straightforward definition of myopia, describing in non-technical terms how it affects vision and why it progresses during childhood. Explain briefly the potential risks of unmanaged myopia, such as increased chances of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy later in life. Highlight the importance of early intervention to manage these risks, emphasizing that proactive management can lead to better short-term visual outcomes and reduce potential long-term ocular health complications.³

2. Clearly Highlight Myopia Management Services

Make sure your myopia management offerings are easy to find—whether on your homepage or a dedicated landing page. Clearly communicate that your practice provides myopia management, and emphasize your focus on proactive, preventive care and protecting children’s long-term vision health.

You can also use this section to reinforce when children should have their eyes examined. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO):²

Infants and toddlers (6–24 months) should have their first eye exam between 6 and 9 months of age.
Preschoolers (2–5 years) should have at least one eye exam during this period.
School-aged children (6–19 years) should have annual eye exams to monitor for changes in vision, especially during the years when myopia often develops and progresses.

Sharing this guidance not only educates parents but also shows your commitment to comprehensive pediatric care. Parents visiting your website are often looking for answers—providing this trusted information alongside your services builds both credibility and confidence.

3. Outline Treatment Options

Dedicate sections or individual pages to each myopia management treatment you offer, such as:

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Describe how these specially designed overnight lenses work by gently reshaping the cornea during sleep, allowing clear daytime vision without glasses or contacts. Highlight benefits such as convenience, improved confidence in active children,⁴ and the added advantage of slowing myopia progression. Address common concerns, including safety, hygiene requirements, and expected follow-up schedules.
Myopia Control Soft Contact Lenses: Highlight how these lenses differ from regular soft contact lenses, describing the special design(s) that slows myopia progression while also maintaining clear vision. Discuss their practicality and effectiveness for active children, highlighting ease of use, especially with daily disposable options. Mention that children as young as eight can comfortably and safely wear these lenses with proper training.
Myopia Control Spectacle Lenses: Include descriptions of how these lenses function to reduce myopia progression. Emphasize their ease of integration into a child’s daily routine, being similar to regular glasses but with the benefits of also slowing myopia progression.
Atropine Eye Drops: Explain what low-dose atropine is, detailing that it works to slow myopia progression effectively. Mention typical side effects such as mild sensitivity to light or temporarily enlarged pupils, reassuring parents regarding its established safety and widespread acceptance in myopia control treatments globally. Clarify that these drops are administered nightly at bedtime and are generally well-tolerated by children.

Including the names of the different product brands you offer can help people find your practice when searching in Google, particularly for myopia control soft contact lenses and spectacle lenses, as parents may look for products that they’ve heard of mentioned by other parents or Optometrists. You can find out what myopia control options are available in Canada in our article Treatment Options and Pathways for Myopia Management.

4. Showcase Advanced Technology

Mention the advanced diagnostic and management technology your practice utilizes, such as corneal topography or axial length measurement. Clearly stating your use of state-of-the-art equipment emphasizes your dedication to myopia management as a part of your practice and reassures parents that their child is receiving the highest standard of care. Explain briefly how these technologies enhance diagnosis accuracy and treatment efficacy, and how frequent monitoring helps tailor treatments specifically to each child’s needs.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

An FAQ section is invaluable for addressing common patient concerns and objections upfront. Questions might include:

Is myopia management safe for my child?
How effective are these treatments?
Can myopia be cured?
What ages are suitable for myopia management?
What are the costs, and are these treatments covered by insurance?

Answer these succinctly, clearly, and transparently to build trust and demonstrate your practice’s expertise. Regularly updating your FAQs based on patient interactions and feedback ensures ongoing relevance and effectiveness.

6. Patient Resources and Educational Content

Offer downloadable educational materials, such as a parent’s guide to myopia management, informative infographics, or fact sheets detailing lifestyle tips to reduce myopia progression, like increasing outdoor activity and limiting screen time. You can embed short, informative videos that visually explain myopia and its management, making complex topics easier to grasp. Providing these resources encourages informed decision-making and helps establish your practice as a trusted source of reliable information. You can also include links to other resources such as MyKidsVision.org, an educational platform dedicated to providing information on myopia and children’s vision to the general public. This website has articles on the various aspects of myopia management in parent-friendly language.

7. Incorporate Testimonials and Success Stories

With appropriate permissions, feature testimonials or brief success stories from families who have experienced positive outcomes with your myopia management services. Personal stories significantly enhance credibility and encourage other parents to reach out. Display these testimonials to showcase the quality of care your practice provides.

8. Effective Calls to Action

Make it easy and compelling for visitors to schedule an appointment. Prominently feature clear calls to action, such as “Book a Myopia Consultation,” accompanied by easily accessible contact information, your clinic’s location, and hours of operation. Consider providing multiple contact options, such as phone, email, or online booking systems, to accommodate different preferences and enhance accessibility.

9. Optimize for Local SEO

Finally, enhance your website’s visibility in local search results with effective SEO (Search Engine Optimization) strategies. SEO helps your website rank higher on search engines like Google when people search for relevant topics—such as ‘myopia management in [your city].’ To improve local search rankings, incorporate location-specific keywords naturally throughout your content, meta descriptions, and tags. Additionally, regularly publishing informative blog posts or updates about myopia management can keep your website active, relevant, and more likely to appear in search results for local families seeking care.

10. Design Considerations

Choose a professional, clean, and visually appealing website design. Incorporate images of happy, confident children wearing glasses or contact lenses, or friendly photos of your team interacting with pediatric patients. Ensure your design is responsive and mobile-friendly, providing an excellent experience across all devices. Use intuitive navigation and well-organized content layouts to help visitors quickly find important information about myopia management.

Key Takeaways

As the prevalence of childhood myopia continues to rise, more parents are actively searching for trusted information and treatment options online. By thoughtfully building out the myopia management section of your website, you not only showcase your clinical expertise but also play a vital role in educating and empowering families. From clearly outlining treatment options to sharing technology highlights, testimonials, and helpful resources, each element contributes to a stronger digital presence and a more engaged patient community. Ultimately, a well-crafted myopia management webpage reflects your commitment to protecting children’s long-term eye health—and positions your practice as a leader in the field.

References:

Yang M, Luensmann D, Fonn D, Woods J, Jones D, Gordon K, Jones L. Myopia prevalence in Canadian school children: a pilot study. Eye (Lond). 2018 Jun;32(6):1042-1047.
Canadian Association of Optometrists. Recommended frequency of eye examinations for children in Canada. Comprehensive Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination: Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline. 2017.
Bullimore MA, Ritchey ER, Shah S, Leveziel N, Bourne RRA, Flitcroft DI. The Risks and Benefits of Myopia Control. Ophthalmology. 2021 Nov;128(11):1561-1579.
Dias L, Manny RE, Weissberg E, Fern KD. Myopia, contact lens use and self-esteem. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2013 Sep;33(5):573-80.