Vision disorders
Myopia (nearsightedness) in children: symptoms and myopia control options
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, means you can see objects up close clearly, but distant objects look blurry. If your child's spectacle power keeps increasing, myopia management can help slow it down.
What is myopia?
Myopia happens when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, so light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
Symptoms of myopia
- Blurry vision for distant objects, such as road signs or the board at school
- Squinting to see clearly
- Eye strain, especially after reading or long screen time
- Frequent headaches
Myopia management options
Glasses or contact lenses
The most common way to correct myopia: they focus light properly on the retina and improve distance vision.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Special contact lenses worn overnight temporarily reshape the cornea, so you can see clearly during the day without glasses or contacts.
Low-dose atropine eye drops
Low-dose atropine drops can sometimes be prescribed to slow the progression of myopia, particularly in children.
Myopia control lenses
Special glasses or contact lenses designed to slow myopia progression, particularly in children.
Refractive surgery (LASIK or PRK)
Surgery that permanently reshapes the cornea to correct myopia and reduce or remove the need for glasses or contact lenses. It is an option for adults, not children.
Which option is right for my child?
Management plans depend on an individual assessment — your child's age, prescription and how quickly their myopia is changing. Proper management can improve vision and, in some cases, slow the progression of myopia.
Frequently asked questions
When to go to a hospital instead
Go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately if you have:
- Sudden loss of vision
- Flashes of light or a shower of new floaters
- Eye injury or chemical splash
- Severe eye pain or a very red, painful eye
- Double vision that comes on suddenly