
If your child’s glasses prescription seems to get stronger every year, you may be wondering why their nearsightedness keeps getting worse. Myopia, or nearsightedness, often progresses throughout childhood as the eyes continue to grow. For families in Highland Village, TX, myopia management can help slow this progression and protect a child’s long-term vision.
Myopia typically develops when the eye grows too long from front to back. This causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, making distant objects appear blurry.
Children’s eyes are still developing, so myopia can continue to increase as they grow. Genetics can also play a role, especially when one or both parents are nearsighted. Environmental factors, including significant amounts of near work and limited time outdoors, may also contribute to myopia development and progression.
Some signs that your child’s nearsightedness may be worsening include:
Regular pediatric eye exams are important because children may not always recognize or explain that their vision has changed.
Traditional glasses and contact lenses can correct blurry vision, but standard vision correction does not necessarily address the progression of myopia.
As nearsightedness becomes stronger, the eye can become more vulnerable to certain eye health problems later in life. Myopia management focuses on slowing excessive eye growth while providing the clear vision children need for school, sports, and everyday activities.
Starting treatment early can be especially beneficial because myopia often progresses more quickly in younger children.
At Vision First, we offer several approaches to myopia management based on a child’s age, prescription, eye health, and lifestyle.
MiSight 1 day contact lenses are specially designed daily disposable lenses that provide clear vision while helping slow myopia progression. Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea, allowing many children to see clearly during the day without glasses or contact lenses.
Low-dose atropine eye drops may also be used to help slow excessive eye growth. Soft multifocal contact lenses are another option that can help manage progressing myopia.
For children who prefer eyeglasses, Essilor Stellest lenses provide clear central vision while using specialized lenslets designed to help slow myopia progression.
If your child has already been diagnosed with nearsightedness, needs stronger prescriptions frequently, or has difficulty seeing distant objects, a myopia evaluation can help determine whether treatment is appropriate.
During an eye exam, we can evaluate your child’s prescription, visual needs, eye health, and progression history. From there, we can recommend a personalized myopia management plan and continue monitoring their vision as they grow.
Help protect your child’s developing vision by scheduling a myopia management evaluation with Vision First in Highland Village, TX at (972) 944-8681.