If you’ve noticed your child squinting to see distant objects or struggling to focus on the board at school, they may be experiencing the early stages of myopia (shortsightedness). This common condition is on the rise worldwide, with more children being diagnosed each year – and at younger ages than ever before.
While glasses and standard contact lenses can correct vision, they don’t slow down the underlying progression of myopia. Left unmanaged, myopia often worsens over time, increasing the risk of serious eye conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration later in life. That’s why early intervention is essential.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This results in blurry distance vision while close-up objects remain clear. Genetics, lifestyle factors, and environmental influences – such as increased screen time and reduced outdoor activity – all contribute to the rise in myopia among children.
Common signs of myopia in kids include:
- Frequent squinting when looking at distant objects
- Sitting too close to the TV or holding books very near
- Complaints of headaches or eye strain
- Difficulty seeing the board in class
Recognizing these symptoms early allows for a timely diagnosis and the opportunity to begin myopia management treatments that can slow progression.
Myopia Management Options at James Tracey Eye Care
Our team offers a range of proven strategies to help protect your child’s eyesight:
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses
These custom-fitted contact lenses are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps. In the morning, the lenses are removed, and your child enjoys clear vision all day without glasses or daytime contacts. Ortho-K has been shown to slow myopia progression in many children.
Myopia Control Glasses
Specially designed lenses help reduce eye strain and control the way light enters the eye, which can help slow elongation of the eyeball. They’re comfortable for everyday wear and a great option for children not ready for contact lenses.
Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses
These advanced lenses feature different prescription zones to help focus light in a way that can slow myopia development, all while giving your child clear vision at multiple distances.
Parents in Midland Park, Woodcliff Lake, and Wyckoff trust us to provide personalized care that addresses their child’s unique vision needs. With early action and the right tools, we can help protect your child’s eyesight for years to come.
Lifestyle Habits That Help Protect Young Eyes
While professional myopia treatments are key to slowing progression, small lifestyle changes can make a big difference for your child’s vision health.
- Encourage more outdoor play. Spending at least 90 minutes a day outside can reduce the risk of myopia progression. Natural light and focusing on distant objects give the eyes a much-needed break from near work.
- Set limits on screen time. Tablets, smartphones, and gaming devices all contribute to prolonged near focus. The “20-20-20 rule” – looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes – can help reduce eye strain.
- Promote balanced visual activities. Mix close-up tasks like reading with distance-based activities, such as sports or nature walks, to keep the eyes working at different ranges.
- Stay consistent with annual eye exams. Even if your child’s vision seems fine, regular eye exams are essential for tracking changes and adjusting their myopia management plan as needed.
Pediatric Myopia Treatment in Bergen County
At James Tracey Eye Care, our goal is to give every child the clearest vision possible – now and in the future. We tailor each myopia management program to the individual, combining advanced technology with attentive follow-up care.
Families visit us from all across Bergen County because we offer:
- The latest myopia control lens designs and treatment methods
- Flexible options for active kids and busy schedules
- A warm, supportive environment for children and parents
We proudly serve patients from our Midland Park, Woodcliff Lake, and Wyckoff locations, making expert pediatric eye care convenient for Bergen County families. Our New York office also welcomes patients seeking myopia care in Manhattan.
Protecting your child’s eyesight today can make all the difference tomorrow.
Request a vision appointment with James Tracey Eye Care to learn which myopia management option is right for your child.