There is more talk about pediatric myopia (childhood nearsightedness) today than ever before — and for good reason. Myopia is becoming increasingly common in children, especially as screen time and digital device use increase. The good news is that early detection and modern treatments can help slow the progression of myopia and protect long-term eye health.
At Cargo Eye Care of Las Colinas, we work closely with families to identify pediatric myopia early and provide personalized care to help children see clearly now and in the future.
What Is Pediatric Myopia?
Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is a visual condition that causes poor long-distance vision. That means close-up objects appear clear, but far-away ones are blurry. Myopia often begins during childhood and can progress as a child grows, especially during school-age years.
According to research referenced in many leading pediatric eye care studies, rates of myopia are increasing worldwide, with projections suggesting that nearly 50% of the global population could be living with myopia by 2050. In children, the numbers are no less concerning. Myopia in children has doubled or more in many parts of the world over the past two decades, and today, about one in three young people (kids and teens) is affected.
“We’re seeing more children developing myopia earlier than ever before,” said Dr. Jonathan Cargo, therapeutic optometrist and founder of Cargo Eye Care of Las Colinas. “For this reason, we started our pediatric myopia management program, where our goal is not only to correct vision but to slow progression and protect our patients’ long-term eye health with proven treatment options.”
Signs Your Child May Have Myopia
Young children often don’t realize their vision is blurry or may not know how to communicate about it, so, from an early age, parents should watch for signs like:
- Sitting too close to the television
- Holding tablets or books very close
- Squinting to see far away
- Complaints of headaches
- Difficulty seeing the classroom board
- Rubbing eyes frequently
- Watery eyes
If you notice these behaviors or symptoms, it may be time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your provider at Cargo Eye Care.
What Causes Myopia?
Several factors can contribute to childhood myopia, including:
- Genetics (family history of myopia)
- Increased screen time and digital device use
- Long periods of near work (reading, homework, gaming)
- Limited time outdoors (causing a deficiency in natural sunlight exposure)
Some studies suggest that spending more time outdoors may help reduce the risk of myopia progression in children.
Modern Myopia Management Options
At Cargo Eye Care, we offer advanced treatments designed to slow the progression of myopia, not just correct vision. Some of our treatment options to slow myopic progression include:
Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine drops used at night can help slow eye growth associated with myopia progression. This is an easy, minimally invasive option for our young patients who are good candidates.
MiSight® 1-Day Contact Lenses
These FDA-approved soft contact lenses are specifically designed to manage myopia in children while correcting vision during the day. Over three years, MiSight reduced myopia progression by 59%, versus a single-use contact lens that only corrects vision.
Stellest Lenses
These spectacle lenses have a center zone that allow the child to see clearly and a surrounding treatment zone to help slow myopic progression when worn for at least 10 hours a day, 6 days a week.
Orthokeratology
This gentle, non-surgical treatment uses specially designed rigid contact lenses that reduce the effect of myopia with continuous overnight wear. When worn consistently, these contact lenses allow children to see well during the day without any use for correction.
Our doctors evaluate each child individually to determine the best myopia management plan.
How Parents Can Help Protect Their Child’s Vision
We encourage parents and caregivers of our pediatric patients to implement a few simple daily habits that can support healthy eye development in growing children:
- More outdoor playtime!
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule for screen use (after 20 minutes of screen time, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds)
- Ensure good lighting while reading or studying
- Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams
Early diagnosis and treatment can make a meaningful difference in long-term eye health for patients of all ages. If you’re concerned about your child’s vision or want to learn more about myopia management in Irving and Las Colinas, our team is here to help.
At Cargo Eye Care of Las Colinas, we specialize in family eye care and pediatric vision, helping children succeed at school, sports, and everyday activities. Schedule an appointment today.
