Many parents notice their child squinting more often or holding books closer than before and wonder, Is my child’s myopia getting worse. Myopia, or nearsightedness, can progress quickly during childhood as the eyes grow and develop. Recognizing early signs and taking timely action can make a big difference in protecting your child’s vision for the future.
With modern myopia control options like orthokeratology and dual focus contact lenses, there are now effective ways to slow down this progression and preserve healthy eyesight.
How Myopia Changes as a Child Grows
Myopia occurs when the eye grows slightly longer than normal from front to back. This elongation causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, making distant objects appear blurry.
During childhood and adolescence, the eyes grow rapidly, which means a mild prescription can increase quickly. For many children, vision can change every few months if myopia is left unmanaged.
Eye growth tends to stabilize in early adulthood, but active management during childhood can prevent severe nearsightedness and long-term eye health risks.
Common Signs My Child’s Myopia Is Getting Worse
Recognizing symptoms early helps parents take action before vision worsens. Here are the most common signs that a child’s myopia may be progressing:
- Squinting or frowning to see distant objects
- Sitting too close to the television or holding devices very near
- Frequent complaints of blurry vision or headaches
- Moving closer to the classroom board or struggling to read from a distance
- Rubbing eyes often or showing signs of eye strain after reading
- Requesting frequent prescription updates
If you notice one or more of these habits, it’s time for a detailed eye examination. Regular checkups help detect even small changes in prescription and monitor eye growth.
Why Myopia Progression Happens in Children
Several factors contribute to worsening myopia in children. Some of the most common causes include:
Genetics
If one or both parents are nearsighted, their child has a higher likelihood of developing myopia and experiencing faster progression.
Excessive Screen Time
Long hours on digital devices require close focus for extended periods. This constant near work can increase visual stress and contribute to myopia progression.
Limited Outdoor Activity
Natural daylight helps regulate eye growth. Studies show that children who spend less time outdoors are more likely to develop higher levels of myopia.
Poor Visual Habits
Reading in dim light or sitting too close to screens adds strain to the eyes. Over time, this can encourage faster myopic changes.
How Fast Can Myopia Get Worse
The rate of myopia progression varies by child, but typically, myopia can increase by 0.50 to 1.00 diopter per year in school-aged children. In fast-progressing cases, prescriptions may change even faster.
Without early management, mild myopia can develop into high myopia, which increases the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
That’s why regular monitoring and timely myopia control treatments are so important.
How to Know If My Child’s Myopia Is Worsening
The best way to track progression is through regular comprehensive eye exams. Eye care specialists use tools to measure prescription strength, axial length (the length of the eyeball), and corneal shape.
Even if your child’s vision seems stable, subtle changes inside the eye may still occur. Annual or biannual exams help detect these early and adjust treatment accordingly.
Parents can also observe at home by noting any changes in how their child reads, watches TV, or performs schoolwork.
How to Slow Down Myopia Progression in Children
Modern vision care now offers several proven solutions to slow or control myopia. These treatments are comfortable, safe, and designed specifically for children.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Ortho-K lenses are custom-made contact lenses worn overnight. They gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, providing clear daytime vision without glasses.
More importantly, they help slow the elongation of the eyeball, reducing myopia progression.
Dual Focus Contact Lenses
Dual focus contact lenses have two focus zones that work together to correct vision and signal the eye to slow down growth. These lenses are ideal for daily wear and offer both comfort and long-term myopia control.
Myopia Control Soft Contact Lenses
Soft contact lenses designed for myopia management, like multifocal options, help control how light enters the eye. They provide clear vision while reducing strain and preventing excessive eye growth.
Low Dose Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine drops are clinically proven to slow myopia progression. They are safe, easy to use, and often prescribed alongside Ortho-K or soft contact lenses for maximum effectiveness.
Lifestyle Changes
Encourage your child to spend at least two hours outdoors daily.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule, every 20 minutes of near work, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Reduce screen time, especially before bed.
These daily habits, combined with professional treatment, can significantly reduce myopia progression.
When to Visit an Eye Specialist
If your child’s prescription has changed more than once in a year, or if they are showing clear signs of visual struggle, it’s time to visit an optometrist.
Specialists at Michigan Contact Lens use advanced tools to measure eye growth and identify how fast myopia is progressing. They can design a customized control plan that fits your child’s vision needs and lifestyle.
Early care ensures better outcomes and helps protect vision for the future.
Why Choose Michigan Contact Lens for Myopia Control
Michigan Contact Lens specializes in pediatric myopia management using modern treatments like Ortho-K, dual focus contact lenses, and low-dose atropine therapy.
Their approach is personalized — each plan is built around your child’s eye shape, lifestyle, and progression rate. With consistent monitoring and professional care, families gain peace of mind knowing their child’s vision is being protected.
Schedule an eye exam at Michigan Contact Lens today to find out if your child’s myopia is getting worse and explore effective ways to control it early.
Conclusion
Myopia progression in children is common but manageable. Parents often ask, is my child’s myopia getting worse, and the answer depends on how quickly the eyes are changing. The good news is that modern treatments can slow these changes safely.
By staying alert to symptoms, promoting healthy visual habits, and seeking timely professional care, you can help your child maintain clear, comfortable vision throughout their growing years.
Early intervention matters and with the right myopia control strategy, your child can see clearly now and in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first signs that my child’s myopia is getting worse?
Frequent squinting, blurry distance vision, sitting too close to screens, and regular prescription changes are common signs.
How often should my child have an eye exam for myopia?
Children with myopia should have eye exams every six months to monitor changes and adjust treatment as needed.
Can myopia progression stop on its own?
Usually, no. Without management, myopia tends to worsen as the eyes grow. However, treatments like Ortho-K and dual focus contact lenses can slow this progression.
Does screen time make myopia worse?
Yes. Extended screen time and near work increase eye strain, which can lead to faster progression of myopia in children.
Can myopia be cured?
Myopia cannot be permanently cured, but its progression can be controlled effectively through specialized treatments and healthy habits.
At what age does myopia usually stabilize?
Myopia progression often slows or stabilizes in the late teenage years or early 20s, but early intervention gives the best long-term results.
Where can I get professional help for my child’s worsening myopia?
You can visit Michigan Contact Lens, where specialists provide advanced testing, Ortho-K fittings, and myopia control programs tailored to each child.