Why Does My Child’s Vision Keep Getting Worse? Myopia Management for Children
- Dr. Justin Obana, O.D.
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Nearsightedness, also called myopia, is a vision condition where a person can see objects clearly up close but has difficulty seeing things far away. Myopia is becoming increasingly common in children around the world.
In the United States, studies estimate that nearly 1 in 11 school-aged children have myopia. By age 17, that number may increase to as high as 60% of teenagers.
Many parents believe glasses are the only solution for nearsightedness. While glasses correct blurry vision, they do not stop the eye from continuing to grow longer, which is what causes myopia to worsen over time.
Today, optometrists offer myopia management treatments designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children, helping protect their long-term eye health.
Parents often ask:
Why does my child’s vision keep getting worse?
Why Does Myopia Progress in Children?
Researchers are still studying the exact cause of myopia, but several factors are known to increase the risk:
• Family history of myopia
• Spending long periods of time indoors
• Increased near work such as reading or screen time
• Limited time spent outdoors
When myopia becomes more severe, it increases the risk of serious eye health problems later in life, including:
• retinal detachment
• glaucoma
• myopic macular degeneration
• cataracts
Because of these risks, slowing the progression of myopia during childhood is important for protecting long-term eye health; making the importance of a comprehensive eye exam for children critical.
Treatments That Help Slow Myopia Progression
The good news is that modern eye care offers treatments specifically designed to slow the progression of myopia in children.
Two of the most effective options are:
• MiSight® soft contact lenses
• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses
These treatments help slow the growth of the eye that causes nearsightedness to worsen.
MiSight® Contact Lenses for Myopia Control
MiSight® lenses are daily disposable soft contact lenses worn during the day, similar to regular contact lenses. They are specifically designed to help slow the progression of myopia in children.
MiSight lenses use a special dual-focus design called ActivControl® Technology. This design corrects blurry distance vision while also helping slow the elongation of the eye.
Benefits of MiSight lenses include:
• FDA-approved for myopia control in children
• Daily disposable lenses that require no cleaning
• Comfortable and easy for children to wear
• Clinically proven to slow myopia progression
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) for Children
Orthokeratology lenses, commonly called Ortho-K, are specially designed rigid contact lenses worn overnight while sleeping.
While the child sleeps, the lenses gently reshape the front surface of the eye, called the cornea. In the morning, the lenses are removed and the child can see clearly during the day without glasses or contact lenses.
Ortho-K lenses also create peripheral myopic defocus, a visual effect that research shows may help slow the progression of myopia.
Are Contact Lenses Safe for Children?
Another common question parents ask is:
Are contact lenses safe for kids?
Research suggests that contact lenses can be safe and effective for children when properly prescribed and monitored by an optometrist.
The Contact Lenses in Pediatrics (CLIP) Study found that children who received proper training were able to successfully insert, remove, and care for their lenses. The study also showed that children did not experience higher complication rates than teenagers.
Some research suggests that younger children using daily disposable lenses may even have lower infection risks than adults, largely because parents often supervise lens care.
When Should Parents Consider Myopia Management?
Parents should consider myopia management if their child:
• has increasing glasses prescriptions each year
• has one or both parents with myopia
• spends long hours on near work or digital devices
• struggles to see the board at school
Early treatment can help slow the progression of myopia and reduce the risk of serious eye disease later in life.
Protecting Your Child’s Vision for the Future
Myopia is common, but it does not have to worsen rapidly.
With modern treatments such as MiSight daily contact lenses and Orthokeratology, eye doctors can help slow the progression of nearsightedness and protect long-term eye health.
At our practice, we offer advanced myopia management treatments designed to help children see clearly today while protecting their vision for the future.
If you are concerned about your child’s vision or their prescription changing each year, schedule a myopia management evaluation to learn whether treatment options may help slow the progression of nearsightedness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Myopia in Children
Why does my child’s vision keep getting worse every year?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, typically progresses during childhood because the eye continues to grow. When the eye grows longer than normal, light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it, causing blurry distance vision. Without treatment, many children experience worsening prescriptions each year.
At what age can children develop myopia?
Myopia often begins between ages 6 and 12, although it can start earlier in some children. Early detection through regular eye exams allows doctors to monitor vision changes and recommend treatments that may help slow progression.
Can myopia in children be slowed or controlled?
Yes. Modern treatments called myopia management are designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness. Options such as MiSight® contact lenses and Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) have been shown to reduce how quickly myopia worsens in many children.
Is myopia dangerous if it keeps getting worse?
Higher levels of myopia can increase the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including:
• retinal detachment
• glaucoma
• myopic macular degeneration
This is why many eye doctors recommend early treatment to slow myopia progression.
How much screen time affects children's vision?
Long periods of near work, including reading and digital screen use, may increase the risk of myopia progression. Encouraging children to take regular breaks and spend more time outdoors may help support healthy visual development.
How often should children have an eye exam?
Most children should have a comprehensive eye exam every year, especially if they already wear glasses or contact lenses. Regular exams allow eye doctors to monitor changes in vision and recommend treatment if myopia is progressing.
References
Zhang XJ, Zaabaar E, French AN, Tang FY, Kam KW, Tham CC, Chen LJ, Pang CP, Yam JC. Advances in myopia control strategies for children. Br J Ophthalmol. 2025.
Cho P, Tan Q. Myopia and orthokeratology for myopia control. Clin Exp Optom. 2019.
Theophanous C et al. Myopia prevalence and risk factors in children. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018.
Walline JJ et al. Contact Lenses in Pediatrics (CLIP) Study. Optom Vis Sci. 2007.
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