If your child’s glasses prescription keeps increasing every year, it’s not just about “needing stronger lenses.” Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more than a vision issue. It’s a progressive eye condition that, if left unmanaged, can affect your child’s long-term eye health and quality of life.
At SALT. Optometry, we work with parents across Newport Beach, Lido Isle, and the greater Orange County area to help slow myopia progression. From advanced contact lenses like MiSight® and ortho-k to axial length scans that track eye growth, our eye doctors create personalized plans that protect your child’s vision.
What Is Myopia Progression?
Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing distant objects to appear blurry. It often starts in childhood, and for many kids, that first pair of glasses quickly turns into a stronger prescription every year.
This steady increase is called myopia progression. As the eye continues to elongate, the risk of long-term complications also grows. High myopia has been linked to serious conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration later in life.
And the signs aren’t always obvious. Your child might:
- Squint to see the board
- Hold books or screens too close
- Complain of headaches or tired eyes
- Start avoiding activities that require distance vision
- Experience frequent changes in their glasses prescription
The Benefits of Slowing Myopia Progression
The earlier we intervene, the more we can protect your child’s future vision. Myopia doesn’t just affect how clearly they see; it affects how their eyes physically develop. When we slow myopia progression in childhood, we help set the stage for healthier, more comfortable vision well into adulthood.
Here’s what early myopia management can help prevent or reduce:
Lower Risk of Future Eye Disease
Children with high myopia face a greater risk of vision-threatening conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Slowing the rate of eye growth now helps protect their eyes for the long run.
Improved Focus & Comfort in School
Kids with unmanaged myopia often struggle with headaches, fatigue, and difficulty focusing on the board or screens. Managing their condition leads to less eye strain and better visual performance in the classroom.
Fewer Lifestyle Limitations
Lower prescriptions can lead to thinner lenses, easier contact lens wear, and fewer restrictions for things like driving, sports, and even certain careers later in life.
Less Need for Invasive Correction Later
Slowing progression now may reduce or delay the need for surgical interventions (like LASIK or ICL implants) in adulthood. For many families, that peace of mind is worth it.
Why Myopia Management Is More Than Just Glasses
Glasses are great for helping your child see clearly, but they don’t stop their prescription from getting worse. That’s because traditional lenses correct blurred vision, but they don’t address the root cause: the eye’s ongoing elongation.
SALT. Optometry offers clinically proven treatments that actually slow the progression of myopia. These include:
MiSight® Daily Contact Lenses
Soft, single-use lenses designed for kids and approved by the FDA to slow myopia. They’re comfortable, easy to manage, and fit seamlessly into your child’s routine.
Ortho-K (Orthokeratology)
Custom lenses worn overnight that gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, offering clear, glasses-free vision during the day and long-term myopia control.
Axial Length Scans
This quick, non-invasive scan lets us track how quickly your child’s eye is growing. It helps us customize treatment and monitor progress over time with real, measurable data.
We Help You Protect Your Child’s Vision
The earlier we start, the more we can do to support your child’s lifelong eye health. Whether you’re noticing vision changes or just want to get ahead of future risks, our team is here to guide you.
Schedule a myopia consultation at SALT. Optometry and let’s create a personalized care plan that supports how your child sees the world.