A mom once brought her 9-year-old in after his teacher mentioned he was falling behind in class. She figured it was a focus issue — but after a quick eye exam, the truth was clear: he simply couldn’t see the board. Myopia had crept in quietly, and no one had noticed until it started to affect his grades.
Stories like this are becoming increasingly common at Child and Family Vision Center on Ankeny. It’s no longer just a handful of kids squinting at school; childhood myopia is becoming the norm rather than the exception.
In the early 1970s, only about 25% of Americans were nearsighted. Today, that number has shot past 40%. And by 2050? Experts expect nearly half the global population will have some degree of myopia. So what’s going on?
The Roots of Myopia
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, means the eye has grown too long from front to back. This causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, leading to blurry distance vision.
There are three major reasons kids today are seeing more blur:
- Family History: Myopia tends to run in families. If one parent is nearsighted, the risk doubles.
- Screen Time & Near Work: Hours spent reading, scrolling, or playing games up close can strain young eyes.
- Indoor Lifestyles: Kids who spend less time outdoors are more likely to develop myopia. Sunlight helps regulate eye growth, and studies show even 1–2 hours of daily outdoor play can make a difference.
Our eyes aren’t built for constant close-up tasks. But today’s world demands just that — from classrooms to tablets to phones, kids are locked into near vision for most of the day.
How Parents Can Help Manage Myopia at Home
Managing myopia doesn’t mean turning your home into a digital-free zone. But a few small changes can make a big difference in your child’s vision long-term.
Start by encouraging outdoor play. Even 90 minutes a day has been shown to help slow the progression of myopia. That could mean anything from walking the dog to playing tag at recess or even helping with yard work.
Set boundaries with screens — not just time limits, but distance and lighting too. Make sure your child holds books and devices at least 12–14 inches from their face, and that rooms are well-lit during screen time or homework. Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, have them look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reset their focus.
Most importantly, don’t skip regular eye exams. Myopia often starts subtly. Kids might not even realize they’re seeing less clearly. But at , we can spot those early signs before they start to affect your child’s learning or confidence.
Myopia Management in Ankeny
At Child and Family Vision Center, we don’t just check prescriptions—we provide targeted myopia management to slow progression and protect long-term eye health. Options like ortho-k (overnight lenses), soft multifocal contacts, or atropine eye drops may be recommended depending on your child’s age, vision, and lifestyle.
Because we specialize in pediatric eye care and vision therapy, our team understands how important healthy eyesight is for academic success, sports, and even friendships. We take the time to explain everything in parent-friendly terms—and kid-friendly language too.
Spotting Early Signs of Vision Trouble
Blurred vision, frequent eye strain, or light sensitivity in kids may point to refractive errors or other vision problems. Without regular eye examinations, conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye) or early myopia can go unnoticed.
At Child and Family Vision Center, our eye doctor checks for more than blurry vision — we assess for serious eye diseases and help manage the long-term progression of myopia with personalized treatment options, including glasses, contact lenses, and eye drops.
Protect Your Child’s Vision with a Myopia Checkup
Don’t wait until squinting becomes a struggle. If your child is spending more time indoors or glued to screens, they could be at risk for developing myopia — or seeing it worsen. At Child and Family Vision Center, we help families from across Ankeny and the surrounding area take control of their kids’ vision health.