More kids today are becoming nearsighted, a condition known as myopia. Myopia happens when the eyeball grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. The result? Blurry distance vision.
At Missouri Eye Consultants, our myopia management specialists help families understand what’s happening with their child’s eyes—and how early intervention can protect long-term vision.
Why Are More Kids Nearsighted Today?
Myopia is influenced by both genetics and lifestyle. Children are more likely to develop myopia if one or both parents are nearsighted, and the risk increases with higher levels of parental myopia. But life style also plays a role. Kids today spend more time reading, using tablets, and doing other “near work,” which can contribute to eye elongation. The closer the working distance—like with smartphones and handheld devices—the higher the risk compared to activities such as watching TV, which is normally viewed at a longer distance than a smartphone or other devices.
Early Signs Parents Should Watch For
Myopia management starts with early detection. Myopia can be subtle at first, but signs to look out for include:
- Blurry vision when looking far away
- Squinting at the board in school
- Moving closer to the TV or holding books very near
At our clinics in Missouri, we use refractive error growth charts-similar to pediatric growth charts-to detect early risk for myopia even before symptoms appear
The Role of Outdoor Time in Myopia Prevention
Research shows that outdoor play is protective against myopia. Natural light is 10 to 100 times brighter outdoors than indoors, even on cloudy days. This brightness stimulates dopamine in the retina, which helps slow the eye’s growth and reduces the risk of developing high myopia
Why Regular Myopia Screening Matters
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends:
- First eye exam before age 1
- Preschool and pre-K checks
- Regular exams every 1–2 years, depending on risk
For children already showing signs of myopia, we recommend a full evaluation. This may include:
- Retinoscope exam
- Dilation
- Retinal photography
- Measuring eyeball length
If your child enters a myopia management program, exams are typically scheduled every 3–6 months totrack progression carefully.
Myopia Management Options
The goal of myopia management is to slow eye growth, not reverse it. The earlier treatment begins, the greater the long-term benefit. Options include:
- MiSight® Myopia Management Contact Lenses–FDA-approved soft lenses with peripheral defocus technology, proven safe and effective for children.
- Atropine Eye Drops–A nightly treatment that slows progression but doesn’t correct vision so children will have to wear their usual glasses or contacts during the day.
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)–Specialty lenses worn overnight and not during the day that reshape the cornea, providing clear vision by day and effective myopia control
Each method can reduce progression by about 50%. The best option depends on your child’s age, maturity, lifestyle, and prescription. Families can also change approaches over time—for example, starting with atropine and later moving to contact lenses
Why Early Myopia Management Is Critical
Once the eye elongates, the process cannot be reversed. But by starting treatment early, we can keep the eyeball shorter, reducing the risks of severe conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and even blindness.
At Missouri Eye Consultants, we believe in partnering with families to protect vision for life. If your child is showing signs of myopia, now is the time to act
