Myopia Management for Kids and Teens: Options That Work
Myopia is one of the most common — and fastest growing — vision issues in children. But did you know that your child’s nearsightedness can actually be managed, not just corrected? At Clayton Heights Optometry, we offer modern, non-invasive solutions to slow the progression of myopia and protect your child’s long-term eye health.
What Is Myopia and Why Does It Matter?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, means a person can see nearby objects clearly, but things farther away look blurry. For many kids, this starts around elementary school and worsens through the teenage years. It’s caused by the eye growing too long from front to back, which changes how light focuses on the retina.
Symptoms of myopia in children often include:
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Squinting to see the board at school
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Sitting too close to the TV
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Headaches or eye strain
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Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly
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Frequent prescription changes
Left unmanaged, myopia doesn’t just mean stronger glasses. Higher levels of myopia increase the risk for more serious eye conditions later in life, like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. This is why more optometrists are shifting from just correcting vision with glasses to actually managing the underlying condition.
Why Is Myopia Becoming More Common?
There’s been a worldwide increase in myopia over the past few decades, and lifestyle is a major factor. Kids today spend more time on screens and less time playing outdoors. Studies show that prolonged near work (like reading or using tablets) and reduced exposure to natural light both contribute to myopia progression.
Some kids are also genetically predisposed. If one or both parents are nearsighted, their children are more likely to develop myopia, and at an earlier age.
The key takeaway? Myopia is becoming more prevalent, more intense, and it’s starting younger. This makes early intervention more important than ever.
How Myopia Management Works
Unlike traditional glasses or contacts that just help your child see clearly, myopia management targets the progression of the condition itself. At Clayton Heights Optometry, we offer several effective treatments:
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Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): These are custom-fit lenses your child wears overnight. They gently reshape the cornea while they sleep, so they can see clearly during the day without glasses, and the reshaping effect slows the eye’s growth.
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MiSight® Daily Disposable Contacts: These soft contacts are FDA-approved for children and proven to slow myopia progression by over 50% in clinical studies.
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Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine drops are used at bedtime to help reduce the eye’s growth. They're safe, simple to use, and especially effective for younger children.
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Lifestyle Recommendations: Increasing time spent outdoors, reducing screen time, and taking breaks during close-up tasks all support eye health and can improve the results of other treatments.
When to Start Myopia Management
The earlier, the better. Myopia typically begins between the ages of 6 and 12, and the most rapid progression happens during these years. That’s why pediatric eye exams are so critical — they’re the best way to catch early signs before the condition becomes more advanced.
If your child’s prescription has changed significantly over the past year, or if they’re already showing signs of visual strain, it’s time to talk to an optometrist about myopia management. Even if your child is already wearing glasses or contacts, they may benefit from switching to a treatment that actively slows myopia progression.
What to Expect During Your Child’s Visit
At Clayton Heights Optometry, our myopia management evaluations begin with a detailed eye exam tailored to your child’s needs. We assess their current prescription, examine the shape and health of the eye, and ask about their daily routines — including screen habits, time spent outdoors, and visual activities.
Based on our findings, we’ll discuss which management options make the most sense for your family. Whether it’s nightwear, Ortho-K lenses, or daytime MiSight contacts, we walk you through everything you need to know — including how to apply, clean, and care for the lenses or drops. We also schedule regular follow-ups to monitor your child’s progress and fine-tune the treatment plan if needed.
Our goal is to make the process smooth and stress-free. We believe that kids shouldn’t just be able to see the world clearly — they should be able to engage with it fully, without myopia holding them back.
Myopia Management in Clayton Heights Optometry
If you’ve noticed your child’s vision worsening, don’t wait for it to get worse. At Clayton Heights Optometry, we offer myopia management programs that combine the latest science with compassionate, individualized care. We work closely with families to make sure every child gets the right start toward lifelong healthy vision.
Nearsightedness isn’t just a matter of stronger glasses. It’s a progressive condition that can be managed, and the earlier you begin, the more effective it is. Request an https://atlas.opto.com/v1/Router/12200/bookAppointment/?lang=En today and learn how our optometric team can help your child thrive.