Have you noticed your child’s prescription getting stronger each year? You’re not alone: Many parents watch with concern as their child’s vision seems to get worse, despite wearing glasses or contacts. At Eyelab Doctors of Optometry, we want to help families understand and manage these changes through myopia management solutions.
Myopia can worsen when your child’s eye continues growing longer than normal, and several everyday factors can influence this process, including too much screen time, not enough outdoor activity, and even how they wear their glasses.
How Your Child’s Eyes Change with Myopia
When your child has myopia, their eye grows too long from front to back. This makes distant objects look blurry because light doesn’t focus correctly on the retina (the back of the eye).
Myopia typically develops during childhood and the teenage years when the eyes are growing. Unfortunately, it’s a progressive condition—once it starts, the eye usually continues to grow longer over time.
Signs Your Child’s Myopia May Be Getting Worse
You might notice changes in your child’s behaviour between eye exams that signal their vision is getting less clear. These signs can help you catch progression early:
- Squinting more frequently when looking at distant objects
- Sitting closer to the TV or holding books very close
- Frequent headaches or eye strain
- Complaints about blurry vision at school
- Rubbing eyes often or excessive tearing
Regular comprehensive eye exams can help track these changes and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
Main Factors That Can Influence Myopia Progression
Too Much Screen Time and Close-Up Work
When your child spends hours looking at nearby objects for long periods, like computers, tablets, or smartphones, the visual signals received by the eye can be altered. These visual signals can influence myopia progression in some children. Fifteen minutes of a near task followed by a 5 minute break is a good idea for anyone spending time on screens.
Not Enough Outdoor Time
Research shows that outdoor time significantly helps protect children’s vision. Children who don’t spend at least 1–2 hours outside each day may face a higher risk of myopia progression. Natural outdoor light helps regulate healthy eye growth in ways that indoor lighting can’t.
Family History and Genetics
If you or your partner has myopia, your child has a higher chance of developing and experiencing faster progression. Genetic factors can influence how your child’s eyes grow and develop their shape over time.
How Glasses and Contacts Can Affect Progression
Regular glasses and contacts weren’t designed to slow progression—they just help your child see clearly. Specialized myopia-control lenses work differently from regular prescriptions by helping to slow eye growth. Learning about the different types of contact lenses can help you make informed decisions about your child’s treatment options.
What Happens if Myopia Keeps Getting Worse
Uncontrolled myopia progression can lead to serious problems later in your child’s life. Higher prescriptions mean thicker, heavier glasses that can affect your child’s confidence and activities.
Increased Risk of Eye Problems
Severe myopia increases your child’s risk of developing other eye conditions, such as retinal problems, glaucoma (high eye pressure, which can cause damage), and cataracts (clouding of the eye’s lens) as they get older. These complications can permanently threaten their vision, which is why early intervention is important for their long-term eye health.
Let’s Protect Your Child’s Vision Together
The team at Eyelab Doctors of Optometry can help. We can recommend myopia management treatments tailored to your child’s needs. Contact our team to learn how we can help protect your family’s vision and reduce the risk of serious eye problems in the future.
