Raising a family in San Antonio means balancing school, sports, and plenty of outdoor fun. But one part of your child’s health that’s easy to overlook is their vision. More kids today are developing myopia (nearsightedness), and it often shows up during the school years when clear distance vision is essential for learning, playing, and everyday activities. Understanding how to manage it early can make a big difference in your child’s lifelong eye health.
 

Understanding Myopia

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition where close objects appear clear, but distant objects look blurry. This happens when the eye grows too long or the cornea curves too steeply, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it.
 

Myopia is one of the most common vision problems in the world, and it’s being diagnosed more frequently in children than ever before. In fact, studies predict that by 2050, nearly half of the world’s population will have myopia.
 

Why Is Myopia Becoming More Common in Kids?

Several lifestyle and environmental changes have contributed to the rise in childhood myopia:

• Increased Screen Time: Digital devices, such as tablets, smartphones, and computers, encourage more close-up focusing and less time looking into the distance.
• Less Outdoor Time: Children today often spend fewer hours outdoors. Natural light exposure and focusing on objects far away can help slow eye growth.
• Genetics: If one or both parents are nearsighted, their children have a higher risk of developing myopia.

These factors combined mean that more children are developing myopia at an earlier age, and it tends to progress more quickly without intervention.
 

The Role of Myopia Control

The good news is that there are effective strategies to slow the progression of myopia in children. This is known as myopia control, and it can help reduce the risk of serious eye health complications later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
 

Common Myopia Control Options Include:

• Specialized Contact Lenses: Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses gently reshape the cornea overnight to provide clear vision during the day and help manage myopia progression. Soft multifocal contact lenses can also slow eye growth.
• Prescription Eyeglasses: Myopia control glasses are designed with lens technology that reduces strain and helps regulate eye growth.
• Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine drops, prescribed by an eye doctor, can effectively slow myopia progression in many children.
• Lifestyle Changes: Encouraging outdoor play and limiting continuous screen time can also play an important role in eye health.

Give Your Child Clearer Sight for the Future

Myopia is becoming increasingly common in children, but with the right strategies, its progression can be slowed. Early detection through regular comprehensive eye exams is key to protecting your child’s vision now and in the future.
 

If your child is showing signs of blurry distance vision, schedule a comprehensive with Bluebonnet Eye Care to learn more about myopia control options. Visit our office in San Antonio, Texas, or call (210) 696-6500 today.