What affects the cost of myopia control and ortho-k in Ontario

Parents often ask what myopia control costs. The answer depends on your child's eyes, the treatment the optometrist recommends, and your benefits plan. This page tells you what changes the cost, what OHIP and most extended health plans cover, and what to ask your insurer before your visit. After the assessment, our team gives you the cost of each option that suits your child.

1. The treatment

The optometrist recommends the options that suit your child's eyes. The recommendation can change as your child's eyes change. Each option has a different cost structure:

• Myopia control glasses (Stellest or MiyoSmart lenses). You pay for special glasses lenses and a frame. Children usually need new lenses when the prescription changes or when they outgrow the frame.
• MiSight daily contact lenses. Your child uses a new pair each day, so there is an ongoing lens supply cost for as long as treatment continues.
• Ortho-K overnight lenses. The lenses are custom-made from a map of the cornea. The first fitting takes more work and more visits than the other options. After that, the lenses last longer than daily lenses, but they need replacement from time to time. Ortho-k is also available for adults who want clear vision in the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses.

2. The first assessment and fitting

Before treatment starts, the optometrist measures your child's prescription and the length of the eye (axial length). For ortho-k, we also map the shape of the cornea. A fitting that needs more lens changes (for example, with astigmatism) can take more visits.

3. Follow-up visits

Myopia control is not a single purchase. We usually measure progress about every 6 months. The optometrist sets the schedule for your child and can change it, based on how the eyes respond. The number of visits over the years is part of the total cost.

4. How long your child needs treatment

Treatment usually continues while the prescription still changes, often into the mid-teens. A child who starts at 7 usually needs treatment for more years than a child who starts at 13.

5. Replacement and loss

Children lose and break lenses and glasses. Ask about replacement costs for ortho-k lenses and spectacle lenses before you start.

What OHIP covers

OHIP covers one comprehensive eye exam each year for children and teens under 20. OHIP does not pay for myopia control lenses, ortho-k lenses, or the fitting of these lenses.

What extended health plans often cover

Many employer and private plans have a vision benefit for glasses or contact lenses. Often you can claim:

• Stellest or MiyoSmart lenses under the eyeglasses benefit
• MiSight lenses under the contact lens benefit (ortho-k lenses are covered less often)

Plans often have a limit per person, and the limit often resets every 1 or 2 years. Some plans do not cover fitting fees. A health spending account can pay costs that your vision benefit does not. We submit the claim to your insurer for you and give you itemized receipts.

Prescription glasses and contact lenses can also be eligible medical expenses for the federal medical expense tax credit. Keep your receipts and ask your accountant.

Questions to ask your insurer

1. What is my child's vision benefit limit, and how often does it reset?
2. Do you cover myopia control lenses (MiSight, Stellest, MiyoSmart) and ortho-k lenses?
3. Do you cover contact lens fitting fees?
4. Can the clinic submit the claim for me, and do you need a prescription?
5. Can I use a health spending account for the difference?

Common questions

Learn more: Myopia control · Ortho-K · FAQ