Many children who are nearsighted (myopic) experience a steady increase in their glasses prescription year after year. This isn’t just a result of “normal growth.” It’s often a sign of progressive myopia, a condition where the eye continues to grow too long, leading to worsening vision over time.
If left unmanaged, progressive myopia doesn’t just mean stronger glasses. It also increases the risk of serious eye diseases later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy. Protecting your child’s long-term vision begins with understanding why this is happening and what you can do about it.
What causes myopia progression?
Myopia occurs when the eye becomes too elongated from front to back. This elongation causes light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it, resulting in blurred distance vision. As the eye continues to grow, the level of nearsightedness increases, and the child’s prescription gets stronger.
Several factors can contribute to myopia progression:
- Genetics: Children with one or both myopic parents are more likely to develop myopia.
- Lifestyle: Excessive screen time, limited time outdoors, and long hours spent on near work (like reading or homework) have all been linked to faster eye growth.
- Age of onset: The younger a child becomes nearsighted, the more likely their myopia will progress significantly over time.
Glasses vs. myopia management
While traditional glasses and contact lenses correct blurry distance vision, they do not slow the progression of myopia. That’s why stronger prescriptions may be needed every year. Fortunately, there are treatment options specifically designed to slow this process and help reduce the long-term risks associated with myopia.
At SIGHT, we offer myopia management in West Hartford, CT, tailored to your child’s needs.
Myopia control options available at SIGHT
Prescription eye drops (low-dose atropine)
These prescription eye drops are applied at bedtime and work by gently relaxing the eye’s focusing mechanism. Research shows that low-dose atropine can slow the rate of myopia progression in children, making it an excellent first-line option for younger patients or those not ready for contact lenses.
Orthokeratology (ortho-k)
Ortho-k lenses are worn while your child sleeps and gently reshape the cornea overnight. In the morning, they can see clearly without glasses or contacts during the day. Ortho-k is not only convenient for active kids and athletes, but it also slows down the eye’s growth, making it an effective form of myopia control.
MiSight® 1 day contact lenses
MiSight® 1 day lenses are the first FDA-approved daily soft contact lenses proven to slow myopia progression in children ages 8–12 at the start of treatment. These lenses use specialized optics to reduce the stimulus that causes the eye to grow longer. Clinical studies show up to a 59% reduction in myopia progression with consistent use1. They’re easy to use, comfortable, and a great fit for active kids.
Why early treatment matters
Because the eye continues to grow throughout childhood and adolescence, early intervention is key. Slowing myopia progression during this critical period helps:
- Preserve better long-term vision
- Reduce the risk of eye disease later in life
- Minimize the need for stronger glasses or complex prescriptions
Protect your child’s future eye health
If your child’s glasses prescription has been increasing year after year, it’s time to explore solutions beyond standard vision correction. At SIGHT in West Hartford, we specialize in managing myopia with personalized treatment plans backed by research and clinical results.
Schedule an appointment today to learn more about which approach is right for your child.
References:
- Chamberlain P, et al. A 3-year randomized clinical trial of MiSight® lenses for myopia control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019; 96(8):556-567.
