Myopia Control

In recent years, more children have been diagnosed with myopia. As screen time increases and outdoor activity declines, it's more important than ever for families to be proactive about their children’s eye health. At Optometric Center & Eyewear Galleria, we’re committed to helping San Ramon families understand how myopia affects growing eyes and what you can do to slow its progression.
 

Understanding Myopia

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition where objects up close appear clear, but distant objects appear blurry. It’s caused when the eye grows too long from front to back, or when the cornea is too curved. As a result, light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Left unmanaged, myopia tends to worsen over time, particularly during a child’s growth years.
 

How Myopia Impacts Learning and Academic Performance

Clear vision is crucial for learning. Children with undiagnosed myopia may:
 

• Struggle to read the board at school

• Experience eye strain and headaches while reading or using digital devices

• Lose focus during lessons due to visual discomfort

• Appear uninterested or distracted in class

These issues can lead to lower academic performance and self-confidence. Because kids often don’t realize they’re seeing poorly, parents must be proactive in monitoring and supporting their visual health.
 

Recognizing the Signs of Myopia in Children

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of myopia in children is key to supporting their vision and overall development. Common signs include squinting to see distant objects, sitting too close to the TV or front of the classroom, holding books or devices very near to the face, and frequently complaining of headaches or eyestrain. Children with myopia may also have difficulty seeing the board at school or identifying people or objects from a distance.
 

The Importance of Regular Pediatric Eye Exams

Eye exams are more than just basic vision screenings; they are a critical part of your child’s overall health and development. A pediatric eye exam evaluates much more than whether your child can see clearly. It can detect refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

The American Optometric Association recommends that children receive eye exams between 6 and 12 months of age, again at age 3, before starting school, and then every year after that. Children who are at a higher risk for developing myopia—such as those with one or both parents who are nearsighted, or those who spend a lot of time on screens or doing close-up tasks like reading—may need more frequent evaluations.

Early detection through routine eye exams is the key to effective treatment. By identifying issues early, we can implement strategies to slow myopia progression, support academic performance, and safeguard your child’s long-term visual health.

What Is Myopia Control and Why Is It Essential?

Myopia control refers to proactive strategies designed to slow down how quickly nearsightedness worsens over time. This is critical not just for sharper vision, but because high myopia increases the risk of:
 

• Glaucoma

• Cataracts

• Retinal detachment

• Myopic maculopathy

By slowing down eye growth, myopia control treatments reduce the likelihood of these complications, protecting your child’s vision into adulthood.
 

Myopia Management Strategies for Children

At Optometric Center & Eyewear Galleria, we provide evidence-based solutions tailored to your child’s needs:
 

• Orthokeratology (Ortho‑K): These specially designed contact lenses are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps. During the day, they enjoy clear vision without glasses or contacts. Ortho-K is a great option for active kids or those involved in sports.

• Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops: Used once daily, these medicated drops have been clinically proven to reduce the progression of myopia by slowing eye growth. They’re easy to administer at home and are often used in conjunction with other strategies.

• MiSight® 1 Day Contact Lenses: FDA-approved and clinically tested, these daily disposable soft lenses are specifically designed for myopia control. MiSight lenses offer the freedom of glasses-free vision while actively slowing myopia progression.

Personalized Eye Care for Families in San Ramon, CA

Serving families in San Ramon and the Tri-Valley area, Optometric Center & Eyewear Galleria is proud to be a trusted resource for pediatric eye care and myopia control. We provide compassionate, child-friendly exams using the latest diagnostic technology, along with custom treatment plans tailored to your child’s age, lifestyle, and vision needs. Our team is committed to educating and supporting parents throughout the process, helping you feel confident in managing your child’s eye health. We also offer ongoing follow-up appointments to monitor progress and ensure the best possible outcomes.

Schedule a pediatric eye exam today to learn how we can help slow the progression of myopia and keep your child’s vision clear and strong for years to come.