Myopia; a Time Bomb

Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is a pandemic. In the past, it was common to think of myopia as just needing glasses to see clearly. But today, we understand that myopia is more than blurry distance vision — it's a condition that can result in serious, lifelong eye diseases. The earlier we intervene, the better we can protect a child’s vision and quality of life.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back. Light entering the eye will focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, making distant objects appear blurry. Children with myopia often squint to see the board at school, sit very close to the TV, or hold books close to their faces.

Risk Factors for Myopia

Myopia often runs in families. If one or both parents are nearsighted, their children are more likely to become nearsighted too. However, genetics isn’t the only factor. Lifestyle habits also increase the risk.

• Too much near work - Children who spend long hours reading, doing homework, or using digital screens are at higher risk.

• Lack of outdoor time - Spending less than 2 hours a day outdoors has been linked to faster myopia progression.

Children who develop myopia before age 10 are more likely to have rapid progression and reach high levels of nearsightedness. This makes it crucial to limit screen time for young children and require more time outdoors.

What Happens to the Eyes When Myopia Develops?

When a child becomes myopic, their eyeball stretches longer than normal. This change in structure is permanent; the eye does not return to its original shape, even if vision is corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Over time, the stretched tissues can become thinner and weaker. This increases the risk of serious eye diseases including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy.

These conditions can cause irreversible vision loss and severely impact a person’s ability to live independently or enjoy daily activities.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Myopia causes structural changes to the eye that cannot be reversed. Early treatment to slow or stop the progression is absolutely critical. Intervening while a child is young can prevent high levels of myopia from developing. This improves a child’s quality of life and self esteem.

High myopia (-6.00 diopters or worse) significantly increases the risk of eye disease. Reducing the rate of progression—even by just 1 diopter—can lower a child’s lifetime risk of myopic complications by a large margin.

"They Can Just Get LASIK Later" Is Not Good Enough

Some parents delay treatment thinking their child can simply get LASIK as an adult. But this idea is not only outdated — it can be harmful. 

• LASIK doesn’t fix the underlying eye structure - It reshapes the surface of the eye to improve vision but does not stop or reverse the eye elongation that causes disease.

• High prescriptions have poorer surgical outcomes - People with high myopia often experience more visual side effects like glare, halos, or dry eyes after LASIK.

• Some people can’t qualify for LASIK -. If the cornea is too thin or the prescription too high, LASIK may not be safe or effective. These patients may require more expensive surgeries like implantable contact lenses (ICLs), or they may not be candidates for any surgery at all.

Preventing high myopia in childhood gives your child more options and better outcomes later in life.

How is Myopia Treated?

Today, there are several proven treatments to slow the progression of myopia:

• Specialty contact lenses such as orthokeratology (Ortho-K) and soft multifocal lenses

• Low-dose atropine eye drops which are safe and effective for many children

• Lifestyle changes like increasing outdoor time and limiting excessive near work

A comprehensive eye exam at Small Wonder Eyecare is the first step to diagnosing myopia early and creating a treatment plan.

The Bottom Line

Myopia is not just an inconvenience — it’s a progressive disease that can lead to serious long-term consequences. Early intervention gives your child the best chance at healthy eyes and clear vision for life. At Small Wonder Eyecare, we are committed to helping families understand and manage myopia with the latest tools and evidence-based care.

Don’t wait. If your child is squinting, struggling to see the board at school, or has a family history of nearsightedness, schedule an eye exam today. Prevention is powerful — and their vision is worth protecting.