MYOPIA MANAGEMENT · KIDS AND TEENS
Helping growing eyes keep up with school and life
Nearsightedness can change as children grow. We explain myopia in plain English and talk through management options after a careful kids’ eye exam.
What myopia (nearsightedness) means for your child
Myopia means distance vision is blurry, while near work may still look clear. It often shows up when a child has trouble seeing the board, sports plays, or road signs.
As children grow, the eye can lengthen, and the glasses prescription can increase. That’s why routine comprehensive exams matter: we track change over time and talk with you before small shifts become bigger worries for school and activities.
Signs parents often notice include squinting at a distance, sitting closer to screens, headaches after school, shying away from sports that need sharp distance vision, or a teacher mentioning board trouble. We don’t diagnose from this page — only after we examine your child’s eyes.
Why we talk about managing myopia — not just stronger glasses
Glasses and standard contact lenses correct blur so your child can see today. Myopia management is a different conversation: supporting how the prescription and eye growth change over time, when it is clinically appropriate.
When myopia keeps progressing, higher prescriptions can come with other eye-health concerns later in life. A management plan, when it fits, is about more than the next pair of glasses.
Whether your child is in a public school, a private school community, or homeschooled — or balancing sports, music, and long homework nights — our goal is the same: clear vision for learning and life, with a plan you understand.
Options we may discuss
Every child is different. After an exam, we’ll talk through options that may fit your child’s eyes, age, and daily routine. We commonly discuss the four options below. No option is right for every child, and we do not use this page to promise a certain change in prescription.
Stellest spectacle lenses, MiSight 1 day contact lenses, low-dose atropine drops, and NaturalVue daily disposable multifocal lenses are available at all five offices.
Stellest® spectacle lenses
Stellest lenses are eyeglass lenses worn as full-time glasses. They have a clear central zone, with a surrounding lens design made for myopia management. This can be a good starting option for children who want a glasses-based plan, or who are not ready for contact lenses. Stellest is available at all five offices.
MiSight® 1 day contact lenses
MiSight 1 day lenses are soft, daily disposable contact lenses worn during the day and replaced with a fresh pair each day. They are designed to provide clear central vision. This option may be discussed when a child and family are ready for contact lenses. MiSight is available at all five offices.
Low-dose atropine eye drops
Low-dose atropine is a prescription eye drop, often used at bedtime. It may be discussed on its own, or alongside a glasses or contact lens option. This can be a fit for children who are not ready for contacts, or when a drop is a helpful addition to the plan. Low-dose atropine is available at all five offices.
NaturalVue® daily disposable multifocal contact lenses
NaturalVue lenses are soft, single-use multifocal contact lenses worn during the day and replaced each day. They may be discussed for children who do well with soft contacts and for whom a daily disposable multifocal lens is a good fit. NaturalVue is available at all five offices.
Regular glasses or standard contacts still matter for clear vision today. A management plan, when it fits, is a separate conversation we have after the exam. More outdoor time is often encouraged as part of an overall plan. If one option isn’t the right fit, we’ll still help your child see clearly and talk through the others.
What a kids’ myopia visit feels like
We aim for calm, friendly visits that parents and kids can trust.
- We listen to your concerns — school, sports, screen time, and family history of nearsightedness.
- We measure vision and eye health carefully, and we explain any extra measurements in plain English when they would help.
- We explain findings to you and, when age-appropriate, to your child.
- We outline options and a follow-up rhythm that matches how your child is growing. Questions about cost and insurance can be discussed at the visit.
If a management option isn’t the right fit, we’ll still keep your child seeing clearly and schedule follow-up that matches their growth.
Care close to home
Kids’ eye care close to home — the same family of practices, with local teams who know NEPA families.
Questions parents often ask
Is myopia the same as needing reading glasses later in life?
No. Myopia is nearsightedness, usually noticed in childhood, when distance vision is blurry. The age-related change that makes near work harder later in life is different. We’ll explain what we’re seeing in your child’s eyes.
Do stronger glasses stop myopia from changing?
Updated glasses help your child see clearly today. They don’t, by themselves, address how the eye may keep growing. That’s the conversation myopia management is meant to have — after an exam.
Is my child too young for contact lenses?
It depends on the child, not only on age. Maturity, motivation, and how the lenses will be worn all matter. If contacts are part of the plan, we’ll only move forward when you and your child are ready, and we’ll teach lens care carefully.
What should I ask at the exam?
Stellest spectacle lenses, MiSight 1 day contact lenses, low-dose atropine drops, and NaturalVue daily disposable multifocal lenses are available at all five offices. At the exam, ask which option may fit your child.
Ready to talk about your child’s vision?
Book a kids’ exam at any of our five offices, or call us with questions.