If your child has been squinting at the board at school, or you’ve noticed them holding books unusually close, they may be developing myopia — commonly known as nearsightedness. It’s the most rapidly growing vision problem in the world, and it often starts in childhood.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows slightly too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. The result: objects far away appear blurry, while near objects are clear.
Most kids with myopia are diagnosed between ages 6 and 14, during a period of rapid eye development. Once it starts, it tends to progress year over year — sometimes significantly — until growth stabilizes in the late teens or early twenties.
Why Is Myopia Getting More Common?
Research points to two main factors:
- Less time outdoors — Natural light plays a role in healthy eye development. Studies consistently show that children who spend more time outside have a lower risk of developing myopia.
- More near work — Reading, tablets, smartphones, and computers require the eyes to focus up close for extended periods, which appears to accelerate eye elongation.
The COVID pandemic significantly worsened the trend, with children worldwide spending more time indoors on screens.
Why Early Detection Matters
A small amount of myopia is manageable. High myopia — a prescription of -6.00 diopters or more — is a different story. It significantly increases the lifetime risk of:
- Retinal detachment
- Glaucoma
- Myopic macular degeneration
- Cataracts
The goal of myopia control isn’t cosmetic — it’s about limiting how high the prescription climbs to protect long-term eye health.
What Is Myopia Control?
Myopia control refers to treatments specifically designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. At Avon Eye Care, we offer two evidence-backed options:
MiSight 1 Day Contact Lenses
Soft daily disposable contact lenses FDA-approved for myopia control. They’re designed with dual-focus technology that simultaneously corrects vision and sends signals that reduce the stimulus for eye elongation. Studies show MiSight slows progression by an average of 59% compared to standard contact lenses.
Stellest Spectacle Lenses
A newer option from Essilor for children who prefer glasses. Stellest lenses use H.A.L.T. (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target) technology — a constellation of lenslets that slow eye growth while delivering clear central vision. In clinical trials, they slowed myopia progression by 67% on average.
Signs Your Child May Have Myopia
- Squinting to see the board at school
- Sitting very close to the TV
- Complaining of headaches or eye fatigue
- Holding books and devices close to their face
- Losing interest in sports or outdoor activities
If you recognize any of these, an eye exam is the next step.
When to Start
We recommend a first comprehensive eye exam at age 3, with annual exams from school age onwards. If myopia is detected, we’ll discuss whether myopia control is appropriate based on your child’s age, prescription, and rate of progression.
The earlier we start, the more progression we can prevent over the long run.
Learn more about our Myopia Control program or book your child’s exam today.
