Myopia in Children: What Parents Need to Know About Long-Term Eye Health

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly prevalent in children across the globe. While it may seem like a minor issue correctable with glasses or contacts, myopia can pose significant long-term risks to eye health if left unmanaged. At Toluca Lake Optometric Center, we believe in proactive care, and that starts with educating parents on what myopia means for their child’s vision.
 

What Is Myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back or the cornea is too curved. This causes light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it, leading to blurred distance vision. Children with myopia may squint, sit close to the TV, or complain about not seeing the board at school clearly.
 

Why Early Detection Is Crucial

Myopia typically begins in childhood and tends to progress as the child grows. The earlier it starts, the greater the likelihood that it will advance to higher levels of severity. High myopia significantly raises the risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy, which involves degenerative changes in the retina. Because of these risks, early detection through comprehensive eye exams is essential. Regular exams allow doctors to monitor eye development closely and identify signs of myopia before it progresses to more serious levels.
 

The Importance of Myopia Management

Traditional glasses and contact lenses are effective at correcting blurry vision, but they do not address the underlying progression of myopia. Myopia management treatments, on the other hand, are designed specifically to slow the condition’s advancement, reducing the long-term risks associated with high myopia.
 

At Toluca Lake Optometric Center, we offer several evidence-based myopia management options for children. These include low-dose atropine eye drops, which have been shown to significantly slow myopia progression with minimal side effects, and soft multifocal or dual-focus contact lenses, which provide clear vision while helping to manage eye growth. Every child’s needs are unique, and we tailor each treatment plan to best support their individual eye health.
 

What Parents Can Do

Parents play a vital role in supporting their child’s long-term vision health. Scheduling regular eye exams is critical (even if your child does not complain about their vision) as early changes are not always noticeable.
 

Encouraging outdoor activities is also important, as studies show that spending more time outside can help reduce the risk of developing myopia. In addition, it is helpful to limit excessive screen time and prolonged near work, such as reading or tablet use without frequent breaks.
 

If your child has already been diagnosed with myopia, discussing available treatment options with your optometrist can make a significant difference in preserving their eye health over time.
 

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

Myopia is a condition that can affect your child’s lifelong eye health. By understanding the risks and taking action early, you can help safeguard their vision for years to come. We are committed to providing effective, personalized myopia management solutions to support your child’s visual development.
 

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Toluca Lake Optometric Center to take the first step toward protecting your child’s eye health. Visit our office in Burbank, California, or call (818) 841-1212 to book an appointment today.