Is Your Child's Nearsightedness Getting Worse? Myopia Control Explained
If your child needs a stronger glasses prescription every year, you're not alone. Nearsightedness, or myopia, is becoming much more common in children, and it tends to get worse as kids grow. The good news is that there are now ways to help slow it down. At Uptown Eye Boutique in Johns Creek, Dr. Brian Schultz works with parents to decide whether myopia control is right for their child.
What is myopia?
Myopia means distant objects look blurry while close objects look clear. In most children, it happens because the eye grows slightly too long from front to back. As a child grows, the eye can keep elongating, which is why the prescription keeps increasing through childhood and the teen years.
Why slowing it down matters
Regular glasses help your child see clearly, but they don't change how fast the eye grows. That matters because higher levels of myopia are linked to a greater lifetime risk of serious eye conditions, including retinal detachment, glaucoma and damage to the macula. Slowing progression during childhood can mean a lower prescription as an adult, and a lower long-term risk.
Signs your child may be nearsighted
Squinting to see the board, the TV or signs
Sitting very close to screens or holding books close
Headaches or tired eyes after school
Rubbing their eyes often
A drop in grades or interest in sports that need distance vision
Many children don't complain, because blurry distance vision is all they know. School vision screenings can miss problems too. A pediatric eye exam is the best way to know for sure.
What myopia control options exist?
Myopia control uses treatments designed to slow how quickly the eye lengthens. Depending on the child, options can include specially designed eyeglass lenses, specialty soft contact lenses, and prescription eye drops. Each approach has its own strengths, and the right one depends on your child's age, prescription, lifestyle and how comfortable they are with glasses or contacts. Dr. Schultz will explain which options fit your child and what results to expect.
Habits that may help
Research suggests that spending more time outdoors may help lower the risk of developing myopia. Taking regular breaks from close-up work like reading, homework and screens is also a good habit for young eyes.
Monitoring progress
Myopia control is an ongoing plan, not a one-time fix. Regular visits let Dr. Schultz measure your child's prescription and track how the eye is changing, so the plan can be adjusted if needed.
Learn more
See our myopia management in Johns Creek and pediatric eye exams. If contact lenses are part of your child's plan, read what happens at a contact lens exam.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should myopia control start?
It's usually most helpful when started in childhood, while the eye is still growing. If your child is nearsighted and their prescription is increasing, it's worth discussing at their next exam.
Can myopia be reversed?
Current treatments are designed to slow progression, not reverse existing nearsightedness. Your child will still need glasses or contacts to see clearly.
How often should a child with myopia have an eye exam?
Children with myopia, especially those in a myopia control program, are usually seen at least once a year, and sometimes more often.
Uptown Eye Boutique is open Monday through Saturday in Johns Creek, GA. Comprehensive eye exams are provided by Dr. Brian Schultz, OD.
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