Myopia Management

Managing Myopia: What Parents Need to Know

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is becoming more common every year. In the U.S., about one in three people are affected—but in parts of East Asia, it’s over 90%. While glasses or contacts can help correct blurry distance vision, myopia isn’t something to ignore—especially in children.

Left unmanaged, it can progress into high myopia, which significantly increases the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, like retinal detachment, glaucoma, or even permanent vision loss.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia means your child can see clearly up close but struggles to focus on things far away—like the board at school, signs while driving, or a ball coming their way during sports. They may squint, sit too close to the TV, or complain about not seeing clearly in class.


While glasses and contacts can correct the blurry vision, they don’t slow the progression of the condition itself. And that’s the concern. The more the eye grows out of shape, the higher the risk of future vision problems.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Children’s eyes grow rapidly, especially between ages 6 and 18. That’s why early diagnosis and myopia management are so important. Slowing the progression of myopia while the eyes are still developing can protect your child’s long-term vision and reduce their need for strong prescriptions in the future.

Proven Options for Myopia Control

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Fortunately, several treatment options have shown great success in slowing myopia in children and teens.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

Ortho-K uses custom-fit rigid contact lenses worn overnight. While your child sleeps, these lenses gently reshape the surface of the eye. In the morning, they remove the lenses and can see clearly all day—without glasses or daytime contacts.

This option is especially popular with kids who are active in sports or just don’t like wearing glasses.

Atropine Eye Drops

Low-dose atropine drops help relax the focusing muscles in the eye, which may slow myopia progression. These are similar to dilation drops used in eye exams but are specially formulated for daily use. Studies have shown that atropine drops can be highly effective, especially in younger children.

Multifocal Glasses & Contact Lenses

Multifocal lenses reduce strain and help guide how light enters the eye. Over time, this helps slow the lengthening of the eye that causes myopia to worsen. These lenses look like regular glasses or contacts but work behind the scenes to protect your child’s vision.

When to Take Action

If your child is squinting, struggling to see the board at school, or pulling back from activities they used to enjoy, it could be more than just a need for glasses.

The earlier we start managing myopia, the better the outcome.

Let’s Protect Their Vision—Together

As parents, it’s natural to want the best for your child—and that includes their eyesight. Our optometrists can evaluate your child’s eyes and create a custom myopia management plan designed to slow the progression and protect their long-term vision.

Book an exam today and find out which treatment is right for your child. The steps you take now can make a big difference in their vision for years to come.