How Do I Know If My Child Has Myopia?

If your child is squinting at the TV, holding books very close, or complaining that the board at school looks blurry, you may be wondering if they have myopia. Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly common in children - and early detection plays a critical role in protecting your child’s long-term eye health.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia is a condition where distant objects appear blurry while near objects remain clear. It occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back or when the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

Myopia often begins in childhood and can worsen as a child grows. Higher levels of myopia are associated with an increased risk of serious eye conditions later in life, making early recognition and proactive management especially important.

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Myopia in Children

Children may not always realize - or communicate - that their vision isn’t clear. Common signs of myopia include:

• Squinting to see distant objects

• Sitting very close to the TV or holding books and devices close

• Difficulty seeing the classroom board

• Frequent headaches or eye strain

• Rubbing eyes often

• Complaints of blurry distance vision

• Declining school performance or reduced attention

If you notice one or more of these signs, it’s time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.

The Importance of Early and Regular Pediatric Eye Exams

Regular pediatric eye exams are essential, even if your child doesn’t show obvious symptoms. Children’s eyes can change rapidly, and myopia can progress quickly during growth years.

During a comprehensive eye exam, optometrists not only evaluate your child’s vision but also measure the physical growth of the eye, including axial length. Monitoring axial growth allows eye care providers to track myopia progression more precisely and determine whether intervention is needed to slow its advancement.

Early detection gives families more options and better outcomes. Managing myopia sooner rather than later can significantly reduce future risks to your child’s eye health.

What Happens If My Child Is Diagnosed With Myopia?

If your child is diagnosed with myopia, the next step is developing a personalized myopia management plan. Unlike traditional glasses or contact lenses that only help with blurry vision, myopia management focuses on slowing the progression of the condition.

Common myopia management options include:

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Custom-designed rigid contact lenses worn overnight that gently reshape the cornea. In the morning, lenses are removed, allowing clear vision throughout the day without glasses or contacts.

• Essilor Stellest Lenses: Specially designed spectacle lenses that correct vision while incorporating technology shown to slow myopia progression in children.

• Specialty Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses: These soft lenses are worn during the day and help manage how light focuses on the retina, which can slow eye growth.

• Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine drops used nightly to help slow myopia progression, often combined with other treatments for enhanced results.

• Combination Therapy: In many cases, combining treatmentscan offer greater control over myopia progression.

Your optometrist will recommend the most appropriate option based on your child’s age, lifestyle, prescription, and eye growth measurements.

Take the First Step in Protecting Your Child’s Vision

Recognizing the signs early, scheduling regular pediatric eye exams, and starting myopia management when appropriate can make a meaningful difference. At Clarendon Vision Advanced EyeCare, we take a proactive approach to children’s vision, using advanced technology to monitor eye growth and create customized myopia management plans designed to protect your child’s sight for the future.

If you’re concerned about your child’s vision or want to learn more about myopia management options, schedule a pediatric eye exam with Clarendon Vision Advanced EyeCare today. Visit our office in Westmont, Illinois, or call (630) 323-7300 to book an appointment.