Myopia, or short-sightedness, means your child can see up close clearly but struggles with things far away, like the board at school. Myopia is becoming more common in children and teens, and if it gets worse over time, it can increase the risk of serious eye conditions later in life.
The good news? There are proven ways to slow down myopia progression and help protect your child’s eyes for the future.
1. More Time Outdoors 🌳☀️
Children who spend at least 90 minutes a day outside are less likely to develop myopia. Natural light and looking at distant objects give the eyes a healthy break.
Encourage outdoor play, sports, or even a family walk after school.
2. Smart Screen and Reading Habits 📱📚
Spending hours looking at tablets, phones, or books up close can make myopia progress faster.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away (about 6 metres) for 20 seconds.
Keep reading material at least 30–40 cm from the eyes.
3. Special Glasses and Contact Lenses 👓👁️
Beyond regular glasses, there are special optical treatments designed to slow eye growth:
Myopia control glasses
These have special lens designs (like DIMS lenses) that give clear vision while signalling the eye to grow more slowly.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Hard contact lenses worn overnight gently reshape the cornea. Kids wake up with clear vision all day without glasses.
Soft multifocal contact lenses
Worn during the day, these lenses create different focus zones that help slow eye growth.
4. Eye Drops 💧
Low-dose atropine eye drops (tiny amounts, safe for kids) can slow myopia progression.
Usually given before bed, with regular check-ups to monitor results.
5. Regular Eye Checks 👩⚕️
Because children’s eyes change quickly, yearly (or sometimes 6-monthly) eye exams are important. Advanced scans let us measure eye growth and fine-tune treatment.
The Takeaway for Parents
Managing myopia is about more than just clearer vision – it’s about protecting your child’s long-term eye health. With a combination of outdoor time, good habits, and modern treatments like glasses, contact lenses, or drops, you can make a big difference.
💡 Talk to New Eyes Optometrists about the best plan for your child. Early action gives the best results.
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