As parents, we want our children to have the best possible vision. Unfortunately, myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is becoming more common in children. 

Myopia is a condition where objects up close are clear while faraway objects are blurry. This can make it difficult for kids to play sports or even see the whiteboard at school. If your child has myopia, you may be wondering when they should start myopia management. Keep reading to find out! 

The importance of early myopia detection in children 

Early intervention is key when managing myopia in children. The American Optometric Association recommends that children have their first eye exam at six months old, followed by another at three years old, and again before they start school. Regular eye exams can help catch myopia early and allow for timely treatment. 

Myopia management isn’t just about improving your child’s vision; it’s also about protecting their long-term eye health. High levels of myopia are associated with an increased risk of serious eye conditions later in life, such as glaucoma and retinal detachment. By managing your child’s myopia early on, you can help reduce the risk of these complications and ensure they have healthy eyes for years to come. 

When should you start myopia management? 

So, when should you start thinking about myopia management for your child? The answer is simple: the earlier, the better! Myopia tends to develop during childhood and adolescence when the eyes are still growing and changing. By starting treatment early, we can slow down the progression of myopia and prevent it from getting worse over time. This means your child may not need increasingly stronger prescriptions as they get older. 

Effective treatment for myopia management 

While regular glasses and contact lenses can help kids see clearly, they can’t slow down the progression of myopia. MiSight® 1 day contact lenses are the first and only soft contact lenses FDA-approved to slow down myopia progression in children ages 8-12 at the start of treatment. In this age group, MiSight® 1 day lenses reduced myopia progression by 59% over three years.   

At New England EyeWorks, we provide myopia management for children in Keene, New Hampshire. As certified providers of MiSight® 1 day contact lenses, we are proud to offer this advanced solution for managing myopia in children. If your child is diagnosed with myopia, our experienced team will work with you to determine the best treatment plan for your child. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment!