Myopia, or nearsightedness, is affecting more children every year – and the solutions are right here in Mount Airy. This growing trend doesn’t just impact how well kids see; it can influence their learning, confidence, and long-term eye health.
Nearsightedness in Children: Why It's Happening More Often
If your child is squinting to see the whiteboard, holding their tablet close, or complaining about headaches, you might be looking at more than just bad study habits. Myopia – or nearsightedness – is one of the most common vision problems in children, and it’s becoming more widespread. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, rates of childhood myopia have nearly doubled in the last 30 years.
Why the rise? One major factor is screen time. Kids today spend more time indoors, focusing on close-up activities like reading, homework, and digital devices. Combine that with fewer hours spent outdoors, and the risk of myopia increases dramatically.
What’s more concerning is that myopia isn’t just about needing glasses. Left unchecked, it can progress quickly – and lead to more serious eye problems later in life, including glaucoma, cataracts, and even retinal detachment.
The Real Impact of Progressive Myopia
When a child’s vision keeps getting worse, they don’t just need stronger glasses every year. Their eyeball is actually growing longer, which stretches and weakens the retina – the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye responsible for processing light and vision. This stretching increases the likelihood of serious, long-term eye diseases.
The good news? Myopia progression can be slowed or even halted with early intervention. This is where myopia control comes into play – and why it’s such a big deal for families in Mount Airy.
Pediatric Eye Care That Goes Beyond Glasses
At Mt. Airy Medical Eye Center, pediatric eye care doesn’t stop with a simple prescription. We focus on controlling the progression of myopia using a range of evidence-based treatments tailored to your child’s needs. These include options like Ortho-K (orthokeratology) lenses – specialty contact lenses worn overnight that gently reshape the cornea so your child can see clearly all day without glasses or contacts.
Ortho-K isn’t just convenient – it’s one of the most effective tools we have for myopia control. And for younger children or those not ready for contacts, we also offer other proven methods, including low-dose atropine drops and specially designed soft multifocal lenses.
Why Ortho-K Lenses Are a Game-Changer for Kids
One of the standout treatments we offer is Ortho-K – short for orthokeratology. These lenses work while your child sleeps, gently reshaping the surface of the eye overnight. When they wake up, they can see clearly all day without needing glasses or daytime contacts. But the benefits go beyond convenience.
Ortho-K has been clinically proven to slow down the progression of myopia in children. This means fewer prescription changes, less risk of high myopia, and better long-term eye health. It’s a safe, non-surgical approach that’s especially effective when started early. Parents love that their kids can play sports, swim, and just be kids – without worrying about broken glasses or losing a contact lens.
Not every child is a candidate for Ortho-K, which is why our team takes the time to assess each patient’s unique needs. If another approach is more appropriate, we’ll walk you through those options too.
Myopia Control in Mount Airy: Personalized Care You Can Trust
At Mt. Airy Medical Eye Center, we believe that every child deserves the best chance at lifelong healthy vision. That’s why our pediatric eye care includes a personalized myopia control plan based on your child’s age, lifestyle, and risk factors. We work closely with families to monitor changes in vision and adjust treatments as needed.
Whether it’s Ortho-K lenses, low-dose atropine therapy, or another effective option, our goal is to slow myopia progression and give your child a clearer future. Our local Mount Airy team – led by Dr. Schwartz – is here to answer your questions and support your family every step of the way.
If your child has been diagnosed with nearsightedness or you’ve noticed signs of vision trouble, don’t wait. Contact Mt. Airy Medical Eye Center in Mount Airy, MD today to request an appointment and learn more about myopia control options that can make a real difference.