As a parent, you want your child to see clearly, both in the classroom and in everyday life. But if your child is struggling to see the board at school, squinting to recognize distant objects, or sitting too close to the TV, they may be developing myopia. Myopia is becoming increasingly common among children, and without proper care, it can progress rapidly as they grow. The good news is that early detection and treatment can make a big difference in protecting your child’s vision for the future.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia is a vision condition where the eye grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This results in blurry distance vision. Children with myopia may have no trouble reading books or using a tablet but will struggle to see things farther away, such as a whiteboard or road signs.

Why Early Myopia Control Is Important

Many parents assume that prescribing glasses is all that can be done for a nearsighted child. While glasses or contact lenses correct vision, they don’t slow the progression of myopia. If left untreated, myopia often worsens year after year, sometimes leading to high myopia - a condition that increases the risk of serious eye diseases later in life, such as:

• Retinal detachment

• Glaucoma

• Cataracts

• Macular degeneration

By starting myopia control treatments early, parents can help reduce how quickly their child’s nearsightedness progresses, lowering their long-term risks and preserving healthy vision.

Myopia Control Options for Children

At SeePort Optometry, we provide effective treatment options to manage childhood myopia, including:

• Specialized contact lenses such as orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses that gently reshape the cornea overnight.

• Multifocal contact lenses designed to slow eye growth while correcting vision.

• Prescription eye drops (such as low-dose atropine) shown to be effective in controlling myopia progression.

Each child is unique, and our optometrists will recommend a customized plan based on your child’s vision and lifestyle needs.

Signs Your Child May Be Nearsighted

You may notice these common behaviors if your child is developing myopia:

• Squinting when looking at distant objects

• Sitting very close to screens

• Complaining of headaches or tired eyes

• Difficulty seeing the board at school

Routine eye exams are the best way to detect myopia early, even before symptoms become obvious.

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

Myopia doesn’t have to limit your child’s vision or put their long-term eye health at risk. With early intervention and specialized treatment, you can help protect their eyesight and give them a clearer future.

At SeePort Optometry, we are here to detect, manage, and treat childhood myopia with advanced solutions tailored to your child. Visit our office in North Port, Florida, or call (941) 876-4400 to schedule a pediatric eye exam today.