Comprehensive Eye Exams in San Ramon, CA

As children spend more time learning, reading, and using digital devices, their visual demands continue to increase. For many families, this has led to a growing concern about myopia and how it may affect their child’s eyesight long term. At Optometric Center & Eyewear Galleria, we partner with San Ramon families to monitor eye development and provide effective myopia management solutions designed to slow progression and protect lifelong vision.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia, often called nearsightedness, occurs when close-up objects appear clear but distant objects look blurry. This happens when the eye grows too long from front to back or the cornea curves too much, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Because children’s eyes are still growing, myopia typically worsens over time if it isn’t properly managed.

Signs Your Child May Be Developing Myopia

Parents are often the first to notice subtle changes. Common signs include squinting to see faraway objects, sitting unusually close to the TV or classroom board, holding books or devices very close to the face, frequent headaches, or complaints of tired eyes. Difficulty recognizing people or objects at a distance can also be an early indicator.

How Myopia Can Affect Learning and School Performance

Clear vision plays a major role in a child’s ability to learn. When myopia goes undetected or unmanaged, children may struggle to see the board, experience headaches or eye strain during reading or screen use, and have difficulty concentrating in class. These challenges can impact confidence and academic performance. Since children often assume their vision is normal, regular eye care and parental awareness are essential.

Why Regular Pediatric Eye Exams Are Essential

Comprehensive eye exams do much more than check visual clarity. They evaluate eye alignment, focusing ability, and overall eye health, and they can identify refractive errors such as myopia, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The American Optometric Association recommends exams in infancy, at age three, before starting school, and annually thereafter. Children with a family history of myopia or heavy screen use may benefit from more frequent evaluations.

Early detection is key. Identifying myopia early allows us to introduce strategies that can slow progression, support learning, and reduce future eye health risks.

Advanced Monitoring With the Myopia Master®

We use the OCULUS Myopia Master to precisely measure key factors related to myopia development, including axial (eye) length. Tracking eye growth over time allows us to personalize treatment plans and make informed adjustments as your child grows.

The Importance of Myopia Control

Myopia control involves proactive treatments designed to slow the rate at which nearsightedness worsens. This is important not only for clearer vision today, but also because higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risks of glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, and myopic maculopathy later in life. Slowing eye growth during childhood helps lower these long-term risks.

Myopia Management Options for Children

At Optometric Center & Eyewear Galleria, we offer myopia management in San Ramon tailored to each child’s needs and lifestyle:

Essilor Stellest Lenses: Stellest spectacle lenses feature a clear central vision zone with a specialized lenslet design that creates a gentle myopic defocus signal. Clinical studies show they can reduce myopia progression by up to approximately 67 percent when worn as prescribed, making them a strong option for children who prefer glasses.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Custom-designed contact lenses worn overnight gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, providing clear daytime vision without glasses or contacts. This option is popular for active children and those involved in sports.
MiSight 1 Day Contact Lenses: These daily disposable soft lenses are FDA-approved specifically for myopia control. They correct vision while also helping slow progression, offering a convenient glasses-free option for eligible children.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops: Used once daily, these drops have been shown in clinical studies to slow eye growth and reduce myopia progression. They are easy to use at home and can be combined with other treatments when appropriate.

Comprehensive Myopia Care for Families in San Ramon and Beyond

Serving San Ramon and the Tri-Valley area, Optometric Center & Eyewear Galleria provides compassionate, child-focused eye care using advanced diagnostic technology. We create customized myopia management plans based on your child’s age, lifestyle, and visual needs, and we offer ongoing follow-up to monitor progress and ensure optimal results. Our team is dedicated to educating and supporting parents every step of the way.

Schedule a pediatric eye exam at Optometric Center & Eyewear Galleria to learn more about myopia management and how we can help slow its progression and support your child’s long-term eye health.