Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is becoming increasingly common in children. While glasses and contact lenses can help your child see more clearly, they don't prevent myopia from progressing. Eyecare Associates of Idaho takes a proactive approach to protecting your child's long-term vision.
Myopia Management in Nampa, Boise, & Kuna
Won't stronger eyeglasses help?
What Is Myopia Management?
Myopia causes distant objects to appear blurry while nearby objects remain clear. It develops when the eye grows longer than normal during childhood, changing how light focuses inside the eye. As a result, many children require stronger prescriptions as they grow older.
Traditional glasses and contact lenses correct blurry vision, but they don't slow the progression of myopia. Myopia management focuses on slowing the progression of myopia and helping protect your child's long-term eye health.
Small Changes Today Can Make a Big Difference Tomorrow
No matter where you are in the Treasure Valley, our team is committed to providing the same personalized care, trusted guidance, and advanced eye care that generations of local families have come to expect.
Our optometrists combine advanced clinical expertise with a patient-first approach, taking the time to understand your concerns and recommend care that's right for you. Get to know our team.
The Importance of Staring Treatment Early
Childhood myopia often progresses as children grow, especially during their school-age years. As prescriptions become stronger, the eye continues to elongate, increasing the risk of developing certain eye conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic macular degeneration.
The earlier myopia is identified, the more opportunities we have to help manage its progression. Through regular monitoring and treatment, we can help protect your child's vision and support healthier eyes as they continue to grow.
Signs Your Child May Have Myopia
Myopia develops gradually, making it difficult for children to recognize that their vision has changed. Many simply assume everyone sees the world the same way they do, which is why routine eye exams play such an important role.
Some common signs that your child may be developing myopia include:
- Squinting to see distant objects.
- Sitting closer to the television or holding devices close to their face.
- Difficulty seeing the classroom board or distant signs.
- Complaints of blurry distance vision.
- Frequent headaches or eye fatigue.
- Rubbing their eyes often.
- A prescription that continues to become stronger over time.
If you've noticed any of these signs, a pediatric eye exam can help determine whether your child has myopia and whether myopia management may be the right next step.
Managing Myopia at Eyecare Associates of Idaho
No two children experience myopia the same way, which is why our eye doctors tailor every treatment plan to your child's vision, age, lifestyle, and rate of progression. After a comprehensive evaluation, we'll discuss the options that best support their needs.
Stellest® Lenses
Unlike traditional eyeglass lenses, Stellest® lenses feature multiple highly aspherical lenslets that create an optical signal shown to help slow the eye's elongation, which is the underlying cause of myopia progression.
MiSight® Lenses
MiSight® daily contact lenses are specifically designed for children with myopia. These soft contact lenses correct vision while helping slow the progression of nearsightedness, making them a convenient option for many active children.
Therapeutic Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine eye drops may be recommended to help slow myopia progression in certain children. We'll determine whether therapeutic atropine is appropriate based on your child's needs and discuss how it may fit into their treatment plan.
As one of the Treasure Valley's fastest-growing communities, Kuna is home to many young families. That's why Eyecare Associates of Kuna places a special emphasis on pediatric eye care and myopia management.
The Earlier We Start, the More We Can Do
Schedule a Myopia Evaluation to Get Started
Myopia doesn't have to define your child's vision. Early detection and care can make a meaningful difference in slowing its progression and protecting their long-term eye health. If you're concerned about your child's vision or you've noticed their prescription changing over time, we're here to help. Schedule a myopia evaluation with Eyecare Associates of Idaho, and let's work together to give your child the healthiest vision possible.