You may know myopia by its more common name—nearsightedness. It’s when you can see objects up close with no problem, but things farther away look blurry.
While many myopia control strategies are designed for children’s growing eyes, adults also have effective options for managing their vision. The approach simply changes based on your age and visual needs.
Why Early Myopia Management Is a Focus for Kids
You might wonder why there is such a strong emphasis on managing myopia during childhood. It all comes down to how the eye grows and develops during these formative years, which is why regular children’s eye exams are so important.
Rapid Eye Growth in Childhood
Myopia often appears and changes most quickly when a child is between 6 and 12 years old. During this time, the eyeball can grow longer, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This elongation is what makes distant objects blurry, and it often continues through the teenage years.
The Goal Is to Slow It Down
The main goal of myopia management in children is to slow down how fast their eyes are changing. This does more than just keep their prescription from getting stronger. It also helps protect their long-term eye health by reducing the risks associated with high myopia later in life, such as glaucoma or retinal detachment.
Common Myopia Control Methods for Young Eyes
For children and teens, an eye care team can recommend specific treatments designed to gently guide how the eye develops.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
One common method involves using low-dose atropine eye drops. A single drop placed in each eye every night helps relax the eye’s focusing mechanism. This simple step can slow the elongation of the eyeball and, in turn, slow myopia progression.
Specialty Contact Lenses and Glasses
Unlike standard lenses that have one focus point, specialty lenses are designed with different zones. These lenses correct blurry distance vision while also changing how light focuses on your peripheral vision. This sends a signal to the eye to stop growing longer, addressing a key factor in myopia progression.
Myopia Management Also Exists for Adults
Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you are out of options. While your prescription may be stable, you can still benefit from modern approaches to vision correction.
When Myopia Progression Stops
For most people, the eye stops growing, and myopia stabilizes in the late teens or early twenties. At this point, the focus shifts from slowing progression to finding effective ways to provide clear, comfortable vision and maintain overall eye health through regular adult eye exams.
Vision Correction Options for Adults
Adults with myopia can achieve clear vision through prescription glasses or contact lenses.
Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, can also offer unique advantages for adults. By wearing the lenses while you sleep, you can enjoy crisp vision during the day without needing glasses or daytime contacts. This freedom is great if you play sports, work in a dusty environment, or simply want to stop relying on corrective eyewear. It can also be a helpful alternative if you find traditional contact lenses cause dry eye discomfort.
Create a Myopia Plan for Any Age
Whether for your child or for yourself, a personalized plan is key. Everything starts with a comprehensive eye exam to understand your unique visual system and health. From there, your eye doctor can explain the options that align with your prescription, eye shape, and daily activities. Your plan should fit your life, not the other way around.
From childhood management to adult vision correction, there are more ways than ever to handle myopia. Our Total Vision Rancho Bernardo team can help you navigate your choices. Schedule an appointment to find the right approach for you or your family.
