Your child just picked out new glasses six months ago. Now they’re already squinting at the classroom board, and you’re saying “not again!”
Kids experience a lot of big changes in a short amount of time. Growth spurts and losing baby teeth are expected parts of childhood. Frequent prescription changes can happen too, but they deserve a closer look. That’s why myopia management has become an important part of pediatric eye care.
Myopia management refers to treatments that help slow the progression of childhood nearsightedness, with the goal of protecting long-term eye health. Our team at True Eye Care helps families understand whether it’s the right approach for their child.
Why Does Myopia Matter Beyond Needing Stronger Glasses?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, develops when the eye grows longer than normal. As the eye elongates, light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it, causing distant objects to appear blurry.
The higher a person’s myopia becomes, the stronger their prescription is likely to get. Beyond needing stronger glasses, they have a higher lifetime risk of certain eye conditions, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration, and cataracts.
Many families choose to explore myopia management while their child’s eyes are still developing in an effort to reduce those risks.
Is Childhood the Best Time for Myopia Management?
Yes, childhood is generally the best time to begin myopia management because children’s eyes are still developing, especially throughout elementary and middle school, when myopia typically changes the fastest.
According to the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, myopia can continue to progress throughout the teenage years and may not stabilize until the early 20s. Some people continue to become more nearsighted into adulthood.
Beginning treatment during these years gives eye doctors the greatest opportunity to influence how the eye develops. Although some older teens and adults may still benefit from treatment, most eye growth has already occurred by adulthood, making it more difficult to influence those changes.
What Are the Treatment Options for Myopia Management?
Depending on the child, an eye doctor may recommend one or more of the following:
- MiSight® 1 day contact lenses are FDA-approved soft contact lenses specifically designed to slow the progression of myopia in children. They correct vision while also helping manage how the eye grows over time.
- Essilor® Stellest® lenses are specialized eyeglass lenses designed to help slow the progression of nearsightedness in children, with studies showing significant reduction in progression over time.
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea. In the morning, they’re removed so you can see clearly during the day without glasses or contacts.
- Low-dose atropine eye drops for kids are often prescribed nightly to help slow eye growth and reduce how quickly nearsightedness progresses.
- Lifestyle adjustments, like reducing screen time and increasing time outdoors, will give the eyes a break from constant close-up focus. Going outside is easy for Colorado families! Spend an afternoon at your neighborhood park, take a hike, or try something exciting like rock climbing.
The right treatment depends on your child’s age, how quickly their vision is changing, and their lifestyle. Some children may benefit from a single treatment, and others may achieve the best results with a combination of approaches.
What Can My Child Expect from Myopia Management?
Myopia management isn’t a one-time treatment. As your child’s eyes continue to develop, regular follow-up visits allow your eye doctor to monitor changes in their prescription, evaluate how well treatment is working, and make adjustments if needed.
It’s also important to set realistic expectations. Myopia management doesn’t stop nearsightedness completely, and most children will still need glasses or contact lenses. The goal is to slow changes, helping children reach adulthood with lower levels of myopia than they might have otherwise. That can help reduce their lifetime risk of certain eye conditions associated with higher levels of myopia.
Is My Child a Candidate for Myopia Management?
Many children who could benefit from myopia management don’t realize their vision has changed because they never experienced clear vision to begin with. Parents are often the first to notice subtle clues.
Your child may be a good candidate for myopia management if they:
- Have recently been diagnosed with myopia
- Need stronger glasses every year
- Have one or both parents with myopia
- Hold books or screens very close
- Squint to see distant objects
- Complain about not seeing the classroom board
- Experience frequent headaches after school or reading
Helping Protect Your Child’s Vision for the Future
Every child deserves clear vision today and healthy eyes for the future. If you’ve noticed changes in your child’s vision or think they may be a candidate for myopia management, we can evaluate their eye health and recommend a personalized treatment plan. Book an appointment with True Eye Care today!
