If you were nearsighted (myopic) at a young age and needed thick glasses, there’s a chance your children may be at risk as well. Myopia often runs in families, and children with a strong genetic predisposition are more likely to develop higher levels of nearsightedness as they grow.
Why does this matter? High or extreme myopia isn’t just about needing stronger glasses. It can increase the risk of more serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal tears or detachments, open-angle glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy. These risks make early detection and management especially important.
While genetics play a significant role, lifestyle factors also contribute to myopia progression. Increased time spent on screens and other near tasks, along with less time outdoors, has been shown to increase the risk of worsening nearsightedness in children.
So, what can be done?
Optometrists can actively monitor and manage myopia progression. This includes regularly checking a child’s glasses prescription (refraction), measuring axial length (the physical length of the eye), and evaluating accommodation, or the eye’s ability to focus.
By tracking these factors, we can identify changes early and adjust treatment as needed.
In the past, myopia control options included low-dose dilating eye drops or multifocal contact lenses. Today, there’s an exciting new option: Stellest lenses. These innovative spectacle lenses work by creating peripheral defocus, which helps slow the progression of myopia. Clinical studies in children ages 6 to 12 have shown that wearing Stellest lenses for about 12 hours a day can significantly reduce how quickly myopia worsens.
If you’re concerned about nearsightedness or myopia progression in your child, don’t wait. Talk to your eye care provider about myopia control options and how early intervention can help protect your child’s vision for the future.
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