If your child’s prescription seems to change every year, you are not alone. Nearsightedness, also called myopia, often progresses throughout childhood because the eye is still growing.
“It’s estimated that 6% of children aged 6-8 have myopia,” says Parm Dhillon, Founder of Image Optical. “However, that number grows five-fold to 30% by the time children are 11-13 years old.
The goal of myopia control is not to “cure” myopia. It is to slow down how quickly it worsens, so your child may end up with a lower prescription long term.
What Causes Myopia to Get Worse?
Myopia usually develops when the eye grows too long from front to back. When that happens, light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it, so distance vision looks blurry.
Common risk factors
- Family history: If one or both parents are myopic, your child’s risk is higher.
- Less time outdoors: Kids who spend less time outside tend to have higher myopia risk and faster progression.
- A lot of near work: Heavy reading, tablets, phones, and close-up tasks can contribute, especially without breaks.
- Earlier onset: The younger myopia starts, the more time it has to progress.
Signs Your Child May Be Developing Myopia
Kids do not always tell you their vision is blurry. Often, they think everyone sees the way they do.
Watch for signs like
- Squinting to see the board or TV
- Sitting very close to screens
- Complaints of headaches or tired eyes after school
- Falling behind in school tasks that involve copying from the board
- Rubbing eyes often or losing attention during distance-focused activities
If you notice these, a children’s eye exam is the best next step.
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At-Home Habits That Can Help Slow Progression
No single habit replaces treatment when myopia is actively progressing, but daily routines can make a real difference and support your child’s visual comfort.
Prioritize outdoor time
Outdoor time is one of the most practical, parent-friendly steps you can take. Many experts recommend aiming for about 2 hours per day outside, when possible. How effective is that? The Canadian Association of Optometrists says just an extra hour of outdoor time can reduce the occurrence of myopia by up to 45%.
To make it easier:
- Walk to the park after school
- Plan weekend outdoor activities
- Swap one indoor screen activity for outdoor play
Build better screen and reading habits
Kids can still read, learn, and use devices. The goal is to reduce long, uninterrupted close-up focusing.
Try these:
- Use the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Encourage healthy working distance: Keep books and devices about an arm’s length away when possible.
- Avoid screens right up to bedtime: This supports sleep and reduces long periods of near work late in the day.
- Improve lighting: Use good room lighting for reading and homework to reduce eye strain.
Keep glasses up to date
If your child’s prescription has changed, wearing the correct prescription matters. Clear, comfortable vision supports learning and reduces squinting and eye fatigue.
Other Myopia Control Options
If your child’s myopia is progressing, lifestyle changes may not be enough on their own. Myopia control treatments are designed to reduce the rate of progression during the growth years.
Myopia control soft contact lenses
These are specially designed contact lenses worn during the day. They correct vision and also use a specific optical design intended to slow myopia progression.
They can be a good fit if your child:
- Is motivated to wear contacts
- Plays sports and prefers glasses-free vision
- Can follow hygiene routines with parent support
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses
Ortho-K lenses are custom rigid lenses worn overnight and removed in the morning. They temporarily reshape the front surface of the eye, providing clear daytime vision without glasses or contacts. Ortho-K is also commonly used as a myopia control approach for some children.
This option may be appealing if your child:
- Dislikes daytime contacts
- Wants clear vision for sports without glasses
- Has a family routine that can support nightly lens care
Atropine eye drops (co-managed care)
Low-dose atropine drops are another evidence-based option that some children use to help slow progression. Availability and approach can vary, and this option is typically managed through an optometrist’s treatment plan with appropriate follow-ups.
Your optometrist will help decide if drops make sense based on:
- Your child’s age
- Rate of progression
- Binocular vision and focusing needs
- Lifestyle and tolerance
Why follow-ups matter
Myopia control is not a one-time decision. It is an ongoing plan that changes as your child grows.
Follow-ups help your optometrist:
- Track prescription changes
- Measure eye health and focus function
- Check contact lens fit and comfort
- Adjust the plan if progression speeds up or slows down
Choosing the Right Approach to Control Myopia
There is no single “best” treatment for every child. The best plan is the one your child will actually follow.
Good decision points to consider
- Your child’s age and maturity
- How fast the prescription is changing
- Sports and activity level
- Comfort with contact lenses
- Your family’s schedule for follow-ups and care
At Image Optical, we talk through each option in plain language, so you can make a confident decision without feeling rushed.
Protect your child’s eye health – schedule an eye exam for your child today.
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FAQs
How can I tell if my child’s myopia is getting worse?
If your child needs a stronger prescription at each annual visit, squints more often, or moves closer to screens, those can be signs. The clearest answer comes from regular eye exams that track changes over time.
Does more outdoor time really help with myopia?
Outdoor time is consistently linked with a lower risk of developing myopia and may help slow progression for some kids. It is a great foundation habit, even if your child also needs myopia control treatment.
Is myopia control guaranteed to stop myopia?
No. Myopia control is designed to slow progression, not stop it completely. Results vary by child, which is why monitoring and adjustments are important.
Are contact lenses safe for children?
Contact lenses can be safe for children when they are properly fitted and your child follows hygiene and replacement schedules. Many kids do well with contacts when parents help support routines.
At what age can a child start myopia control?
It depends on the child, the prescription, and the treatment type. Some options are appropriate for younger children, while others require more maturity and responsibility. An eye exam is the best way to plan timing.
How often should my child have an eye exam?
Many children benefit from annual exams, and kids in myopia control programs often need more frequent follow-ups based on the treatment plan.
A simple next step for parents in Brampton
If your child’s prescription is changing quickly, or you want to be proactive because myopia runs in the family, we can help you map out a plan.
Image Optical is conveniently located in Brampton in the Mountainash and Queen St. E area (Unit 7). With 700+ Google reviews and a 4.9 rating, families trust us for friendly, thorough eye care from kids to seniors.
- Call: 905-494-1880
- Email: info@imageoptical.ca
- Visit: 55 Mountainash Rd, Unit 7, Brampton, ON L6R 1W4
If you would like to book a children’s eye exam or ask about myopia control options, reach out and we will guide you through the next step.
