Myopia is becoming increasingly prevalent among children. With the growing use of digital screens and reduced outdoor time, more children are developing myopia at an early age. If left unmanaged, myopia can progress, leading to higher prescriptions and an increased risk of serious eye conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment and macular degeneration. Fortunately, early intervention with myopia management can slow its progression and help protect your child’s long-term vision health.
 

Understanding Myopia

Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This results in blurry distance vision while close-up vision remains clear. While genetics play a significant role in myopia development, environmental factors such as prolonged screen time and lack of outdoor activity also contribute to its onset and progression.
 

Detecting myopia early is crucial for effective management. Since children's eyes change rapidly as they grow, regular comprehensive eye exams are essential to monitor their vision development. Many children may not realize they have difficulty seeing until their myopia has significantly progressed. Annual pediatric eye exams allow optometrists to detect myopia early and recommend appropriate management strategies.
 

What is Myopia Management?

Myopia management refers to specialized treatments designed to slow down the progression of myopia in children. Unlike traditional prescription glasses or regular contact lenses, which only correct vision, myopia management treatments help control how myopia develops over time. Early intervention is key, as slowing myopia progression at a young age can reduce the risk of developing severe nearsightedness and associated eye diseases in adulthood.
 

Effective Myopia Management Options

At Pilot Point Family Eye Care, we offer several proven myopia management options to help control your child’s nearsightedness:

• MiSight® 1 Day Contact Lenses – These FDA-approved soft contact lenses are specifically designed for children and have been clinically proven to slow myopia progression. They provide clear vision while actively working to reduce the rate of myopic eye growth.

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) – These specialized rigid gas permeable contact lenses are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea. During the day, children can enjoy clear vision without needing glasses or contacts. Ortho-K has been shown to significantly slow myopia progression and is a great option for active children.
   

The Benefits of Early Intervention

Addressing myopia early offers numerous benefits, including:

• Slowing down prescription changes and reducing dependence on stronger glasses or contact lenses

• Lowering the risk of developing sight-threatening eye conditions later in life

• Enhancing visual clarity for better academic and daily performance

• Improving overall eye health and quality of life
   

Schedule Your Child’s Myopia Evaluation Today

Myopia is more than just needing glasses—it’s a condition that can impact your child’s long-term eye health. Early detection and proper management can make a significant difference in controlling myopia progression and preserving your child's vision for the future.
 

At Pilot Point Family Eye Care, we are committed to providing personalized myopia management solutions for children. If your child has myopia, contact our office in Pilot Point, Texas, by calling (940) 248-9868 to book an eye exam today.