Top Myopia Control Strategies for Children and Teens

Clear vision plays a crucial role in a child’s development, academic performance, and overall quality of life. However, myopia, or nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly common among children and teens. If left unmanaged, it can lead to more than just blurry vision—it may affect their learning and put them at risk for serious eye conditions in the future.

What is Myopia?

Myopia is a refractive error where distant objects appear blurry, but close-up objects remain clear. This occurs when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea is overly curved, preventing light from focusing correctly on the retina. Myopia typically develops during childhood and can progress as kids grow.

The Impact of Myopia on Learning and Academics

Clear vision is essential for academic success. Children with myopia may struggle to see the whiteboard, read from a distance, or participate fully in classroom activities. Left untreated, myopia can lead to frustration, reduced academic performance, and even a lack of confidence in school.

The Role of Pediatric Eye Exams

Early detection is key to managing myopia effectively. Pediatric eye exams can identify myopia and other vision problems before they significantly impact a child’s life. Eye exams also provide an opportunity to monitor the progression of myopia and implement strategies to slow its advancement.

What is Myopia Control, and Why is it Important?

Myopia control refers to methods used to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children and teens. Beyond the inconvenience of needing stronger prescriptions over time, progressive myopia increases the risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life, such as:

•          Retinal detachment

•          Glaucoma

•          Cataracts

•          Myopic maculopathy

By managing myopia early, we can help preserve long-term eye health and improve a child’s quality of life.

Top Myopia Management Strategies

Ortho-K involves wearing specially designed rigid gas-permeable contact lenses overnight. These lenses gently reshape the cornea, providing clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. Ortho-K not only corrects vision but also slows myopia progression.

Low-dose atropine eye drops have been shown to effectively reduce the progression of myopia. These medicated drops are applied daily and work by relaxing the eye's focusing mechanism, which can help control elongation of the eyeball.

MiSight contact lenses are soft, daily disposable lenses specifically designed for children with myopia. These lenses correct vision while also using innovative optics to slow the progression of myopia. MiSight is FDA-approved and proven safe and effective for kids as young as 8 years old.

Take Charge of Your Child’s Vision Health

Managing myopia is about more than clear vision—it's about safeguarding your child’s eye health for the future. By scheduling regular eye exams and considering proven myopia control strategies like Ortho-K, atropine eye drops, and MiSight contact lenses, you can help your child thrive academically and beyond.

Contact eye&I™ to explore the best myopia control options tailored to your child’s needs. Visit our office in Great Neck, New York, or call (516) 344-5662 to schedule an eye exam today.