If your child’s vision seems to get worse every year, you’re not imagining it—and there’s more you can do than just update their prescription.
Most parents hear the same thing at the eye doctor: “It’s time for a stronger prescription.” While glasses and contact lenses help kids see the board at school or play sports with confidence, they don’t slow down the progression of myopia (nearsightedness). That’s where myopia management comes in—and why it matters more than ever.
At Child and Family Vision Center in Ankeny, we see many kids whose vision continues to decline year after year. Their lenses get thicker, their glasses get heavier, and eventually, they may become at risk for serious eye problems later in life. Myopia is more than just a focusing issue—it affects the physical shape of the eye, and when left unmanaged, it can significantly increase your child’s chances of developing retinal detachment, glaucoma, or macular degeneration as they age.
What Is Myopia—and Why Is It Rising?
Myopia is a condition where the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This leads to blurry distance vision—kids may squint to see the board or sit closer to the TV.
More importantly, the earlier myopia begins, the more likely it is to worsen quickly. And rates of childhood myopia are climbing fast, partly due to genetics, but also because of lifestyle factors like:
- Increased screen time
- Reduced outdoor play
- More time spent on close-up tasks like reading, homework, or gaming
Unfortunately, simply correcting vision with stronger glasses doesn’t stop the eye from continuing to elongate.
Why Myopia Management Matters for Long-Term Eye Health
A growing eye isn’t just a vision issue—it’s a structural one. The longer the eye becomes, the more strain is placed on its internal tissues, including the retina. That’s why children with high myopia are at a much greater risk for developing sight-threatening conditions as adults.
By managing myopia early, we’re not just helping kids see clearly now—we’re protecting their eyes for decades to come.
At Child and Family Vision Center in Ankeny, we offer evidence-based myopia control options tailored to each child’s age, prescription, and lifestyle. These tools are designed to slow the progression of myopia, not just correct it.
What Does Myopia Management Include?
Our approach to myopia management may involve one or more of the following:
- Specialty soft contact lenses that are worn during the day and slow eye growth
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses, worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea and slow myopia progression
- Atropine eye drops, a low-dose medication applied at bedtime to reduce eye elongation
- Lifestyle counseling, including guidance on increasing outdoor time and reducing excessive screen use
We monitor your child’s progress regularly to make adjustments and ensure the treatment is working. Most parents tell us they feel a huge sense of relief knowing there’s something they can do to protect their child’s vision long-term.
When Should My Child Start Myopia Management?
Ideally, as soon as myopia is diagnosed. The earlier we begin, the more impact we can have on slowing progression. Even kids with mild nearsightedness can benefit from a management plan, especially if they have one or both parents with myopia.
Think of it like dental care: we don’t wait for cavities to develop before teaching brushing habits. With myopia, preventive care is key.
Clear Vision Now—Healthy Eyes for Life
If your child’s glasses keep getting stronger each year, it’s time to rethink the plan. At Child and Family Vision Center, we’re passionate about helping kids see clearly today and avoid preventable vision loss in the future.
Don’t wait for another prescription change—schedule a myopia management consultation at Child and Family Vision Center in Ankeny.