Managing Myopia: Effective Strategies for Slowing Progression in Children and Teens

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common refractive error that affects millions of children and teens worldwide. As a growing concern, the prevalence of myopia is steadily increasing, with environmental and genetic factors playing significant roles. While myopia may seem like a simple need for glasses or contact lenses, its progression can lead to serious complications, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, or cataracts, later in life. Fortunately, myopia management offers effective strategies to slow its progression and protect your child’s vision.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This results in blurry distance vision, while near vision remains clear. Symptoms include squinting, headaches, eye strain, and difficulty seeing distant objects, such as the whiteboard in a classroom. Myopia often develops during childhood and can worsen as the eyes continue to grow.
 

The Role of Regular Eye Exams

Regular eye exams are the foundation for early detection of myopia. Many children may not realize their vision is impaired, making it vital for parents to schedule comprehensive eye exams annually. These exams allow optometrists to identify myopia early and develop a personalized management plan to address its progression. At Miller Optometry, we emphasize the importance of routine eye care to monitor your child’s vision and overall eye health.
 

Why Is Myopia Management Important?

Managing myopia is more than correcting blurry vision; it’s about protecting your child’s long-term eye health. Progressive myopia increases the risk of severe eye diseases, making it essential to slow its progression during childhood. Effective myopia management strategies can reduce these risks, improve quality of life, and preserve vision for the future.
 

Effective Myopia Management Strategies

Orthokeratology (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 the progression of myopia by reducing the elongation of the eye.
 

Low-dose atropine eye drops have also been shown to effectively slow the progression of myopia in children. These drops are typically used at bedtime and work by relaxing the eye’s focusing muscles and reducing strain. Atropine is safe, well-tolerated, and can be an excellent option for children who may not be candidates for Ortho-K.
 

Additionally, multifocal contact lenses have emerged as an effective and innovative solution for managing myopia in children and teens. These specialized lenses feature multiple zones that provide clear vision at various distances—near, intermediate, and far—making them practical for everyday use. Beyond correcting vision, multifocal lenses are designed to influence how light focuses on the retina, which helps to slow the elongation of the eye associated with myopia progression. This dual benefit of vision correction and myopia control makes multifocal contact lenses a valuable option for families seeking a comprehensive approach to managing their child’s nearsightedness.
 

Partnering with Miller Optometry for Myopia Management

At Miller Optometry, we are dedicated to protecting your child’s vision and overall eye health. We offer comprehensive myopia management services, including Ortho-K, atropine eye drops, and multifocal contact lenses. With regular eye exams and a personalized approach, we’ll work with you to create a plan tailored to your child’s unique needs.
 

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Miller Optometry and discover the best myopia management options for your family. Visit our office in Yucaipa, California, or call (909) 341-1800 to book an appointment today.