It’s a common — and frustrating — concern for parents: “Why does my child’s glasses prescription keep getting stronger?” If your child is nearsighted (myopic), you might feel like you're just chasing a moving target with new lenses every year. The truth is, progressive myopia is becoming more common, and there are real reasons behind it—and real solutions available.
At Project Eyecare Optometry in Mission Viejo, we are experts in helping families understand and manage childhood myopia through customized, science-based treatment plans. If your child’s vision is worsening year after year, here’s what you need to know.
What Is Progressive Myopia?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, means your child can see things up close clearly but struggles to see objects far away. In growing children, myopia often worsens steadily throughout school-age years, especially between ages 6 and 17.
This happens because the eye continues to elongate, increasing the degree of nearsightedness. While glasses or contacts correct blurry vision, they don’t stop the underlying progression — that’s where myopia management comes in.
Why Is Myopia Increasing in Kids?
Several factors are driving the rise in childhood myopia:
- More screen time: Kids today spend hours a day on digital devices and doing close-up work.
- Less outdoor time: Studies show children who spend more time outdoors tend to have slower myopia progression.
- Genetics: If one or both parents are nearsighted, their child is more likely to develop myopia too.
- Early onset: The earlier a child develops myopia, the more likely it is to progress significantly over time.
Without intervention, some children may end up with high myopia, which not only requires thick glasses but also increases the risk of serious eye conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration later in life.
How We Can Help Your Child at Project Eyecare Optometry?
The good news is that myopia management works — and we offer several safe, effective options here at Project Eyecare Optometry:
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Specialty overnight lenses that gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps. No glasses needed during the day—and proven to slow eye growth.
Soft Multifocal Contact Lenses
Daytime contacts that reduce strain and signal the eyes to slow myopia progression. Comfortable and easy to use for active kids.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
A nightly drop that’s safe for children and shown to significantly reduce the rate of myopia progression over time.
Axial Length Monitoring
We don’t just track prescription changes — we measure the actual length of the eye to see how quickly it’s growing. This gives us a clearer picture of progress and treatment effectiveness.
Why Early Myopia Treatment Matters
The sooner we begin managing your child’s myopia, the better the results. Starting early gives us more time to slow or stop progression, protect long-term eye health, and reduce the need for strong prescriptions in the future.
Talk to Our Myopia Experts in Mission Viejo
At Project Eyecare Optometry, we’re proud to support families across Mission Viejo and South Orange County with comprehensive myopia management care. We take the time to evaluate your child’s vision needs, explain your options clearly, and build a plan that fits their lifestyle.