If your child has been diagnosed with myopia (commonly known as nearsightedness), it’s important to consider myopia management as soon as possible. Myopia tends to worsen over time, especially during childhood and adolescence. Taking action early can help slow its progression and reduce the risk of future eye health issues.
What is myopia and why is it a concern?
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This makes distant objects appear blurry. While glasses or contact lenses can correct vision, they won’t stop myopia from getting worse. The higher the prescription, the greater the risk of eye diseases later in life—like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy. That’s why it’s critical to manage myopia early on.
Signs your child may need myopia management
Kids don’t always realize their vision is changing and may not tell you they are having problems seeing clearly. Keep an eye out for signs like:
- Squinting to see distant objects
- Holding screens or books too close to their face
- Complaints of blurry vision or headaches
- Trouble seeing the board at school
- Rubbing their eyes constantly
- Tilting their head to see more clearly
When to start myopia management
The best time to start myopia management is as soon as myopia is detected. Myopia progression is typically fastest between ages 7 and 101, so early intervention can have the greatest impact. Starting myopia management early can reduce the severity of myopia and lower the risk of eye diseases associated with high myopia later in life. The goal is to slow the rate of progression so that by adulthood, your child has a lower prescription and healthier eyes.
If your child has been diagnosed with myopia or there’s a family history of nearsightedness, talk to our eye doctors in Port Richey, Florida about the best options.
Myopia management options
Typical myopia management methods include contact lenses for myopia control, such as multifocal lenses. Myopia happens because the eye grows too long, and since kids’ eyes continue to grow until around age 20, their prescription can keep changing. Multifocal contact lenses can help slow myopia progression by focusing light more evenly across the retina. These lenses offer a great solution for managing myopia while also providing clear vision for kids.
Schedule an eye exam
The earlier you start myopia management, the better. Slowing myopia progression can reduce the risk of serious eye conditions in the future and help your child maintain healthier vision as they grow. For more information, schedule an appointment to learn about our myopia management services in Port Richey, Florida!
References
1. Tricard D, Marillet S, Ingrand P, Bullimore MA, Bourne RRA, Leveziel N. Progression of myopia in children and teenagers: a nationwide longitudinal study. Br J Ophthalmol. 2022 Aug;106(8):1104-1109. (link)