Myopia Management: Preserving Your Child’s Vision
As a parent, protecting your child’s vision is a top priority. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly common in children and, if left unchecked, can lead to vision complications later in life.
At Ilex Eyecare, our myopia management programs are designed to slow the progression of nearsightedness while helping your child enjoy clear vision today. We offer a variety of approaches, and we’ll work closely with you and your child to find the method or combination that best fits their lifestyle and vision needs.
Early intervention can make a real difference; book an appointment today to explore our myopia management options.
Understanding Myopia and When to Act
Myopia, or nearsightedness, causes distant objects to appear blurry because the eye grows too long or the cornea is too curved. It often develops in childhood and, if left unmanaged, can increase the risk of long-term eye problems.
Signs your child may benefit from myopia management include struggling at school, frequent eye strain or headaches, squinting, and limited participation in outdoor activities. Early detection and intervention can help protect their vision for years to come.
Signs Your Child May Have Myopia
Children may not always communicate vision problems, but some warning signs include:
- Blurry distance vision
- Squinting to see faraway objects
- Eye strain or headaches
- Sitting very close to screens or reading material
A comprehensive eye exam can detect myopia early and help determine the most effective management strategy.
The Risks of High Myopia
By 2050, nearly half of the global population may be affected by myopia. When it progresses to high myopia, it can increase the risk of:
- Cataracts
- Retinal detachment
- Myopic macular degeneration
- Glaucoma
Proactive myopia management can reduce these risks and protect your child’s long-term vision.
Vision & Learning Go Hand-in-Hand
When your kids are having trouble with their vision, it can impact their daily life at school, including reading from a distance, seeing the board, and even participating in sports and gym classes.
A lack of understanding around myopia can lead to stress and confusion for your child and, if left undiagnosed, can cause them to fall behind. Our team at Ilex Eyecare wants to help by providing professional care and myopia control options such as ortho-k, Abiliti 1-day contacts, and Stellest lenses.
We aim to help your kids excel both inside and outside the classroom.
Signs & Symptoms of Myopia
Myopia can affect your children in different ways. Some common signs and symptoms of myopia can include:
- Eye strain
- Blurry vision when looking at faraway objects
- Squinting to see distant objects
- Headaches
If your child is experiencing these symptoms, a comprehensive eye exam with our team can help determine if myopia control methods such as ortho-k lenses could be beneficial.
When Should You Consider Myopia Management?
Your Child Struggles with Schoolwork
Uncorrected refractive errors can have an impact on a child’s school work.
Studies have found that children with myopia are at an increased risk of struggling at school compared to those without.
Your Child Struggles with Eye Strain & Headaches
Myopia can cause a number of additional issues, including eye strain and headaches. Treating myopia during its early stages can help reduce the risk of those issues and other complications of high myopia.
Your Child Avoids Sports & Outdoor Activities
Studies have found that children with myopia reported that they had difficulty taking part in outdoor activities such as playing sports.
Spending more time inside can also contribute to your child’s myopia development.
How We Manage Myopia
We understand that myopia is more than blurry distance vision. It can increase the risk of long-term eye complications if it progresses unchecked. Myopia management focuses on slowing the eye’s growth and reducing the likelihood of issues such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts in adulthood.
Our team offers a range of evidence-based strategies tailored to your child’s unique visual needs, lifestyle, and prescription, combining comfort, effectiveness, and convenience.
Orthokeratology, or CRT, involves specially designed rigid contact lenses worn overnight. These lenses gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, allowing for clear, glasses-free vision during the day.
Ortho-k is particularly ideal for active children or those who play sports, and is highly effective for controlling mild to moderate myopia.
Abiliti 1-Day soft contact lenses are designed with advanced optics to slow myopia progression while providing all-day comfort and sharp vision. They are a convenient daily disposable option for children who prefer soft lenses over rigid designs.
MiSight 1-Day lenses use dual-focus technology to alter how light is focused on the retina, signaling the eye to slow its growth. Worn during the day, they are clinically proven to reduce myopia progression in children while offering crisp and comfortable vision.
Specially designed myopia control glasses, such as Essilor Stellest, use lenslet technology to modify how light is focused on the retina. They provide effective vision correction while slowing myopia progression, giving your child clear and comfortable vision throughout the day.
Low-dose atropine eye drops are used to suppress the eye’s elongation, reducing the speed at which myopia progresses. Drops are simple to use and can be combined with other myopia management methods to improve outcomes.
For some children, combining atropine drops with a contact lens or glasses-based method enhances the effectiveness of myopia control. Our optometrists will determine whether a combination approach is best based on your child’s age, prescription, and lifestyle.
Take Our Myopia Quiz
Need more clarity? Take our myopia quiz down below.
Protect Your Child’s Vision Today
Managing myopia early can make a lasting difference in your child’s eye health and overall quality of life. At Ilex Eyecare, our team combines innovative technology with personalized care to find the myopia management approach that fits your child’s needs and lifestyle.
Whether it’s ortho-k, specialty contact lenses, low-dose atropine, or combination treatments, we guide you every step of the way to help slow myopia progression and support clear, comfortable vision.
Start your child on the path to healthier eyes and brighter days. Book a myopia management consultation today and give their vision the care it deserves.
Eye Care Services We Offer
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Explore the different eye care services we have to offer at Ilex Eyecare.
Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management
We provide comprehensive evaluation and management for a wide range of eye conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic eye disease. Our goal is to protect your vision and support long-term eye health through accurate diagnosis and personalized care.
Laser Eye Surgery Consultation
Considering LASIK or PRK? We guide you through the process, from determining if you are a suitable candidate to scheduling follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery. Our consultations ensure you have all the information you need to make the right choice for your vision.
Emergency Eye Care
Eye emergencies can happen at any time. We offer prompt assessment and treatment for urgent eye conditions, helping to relieve discomfort and protect your vision when it matters most.
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Best optometry appointment I’ve ever had. The eye exam took no time at all and I got a year supply of contacts at a really great price! Would recommend this place if you’re looking for a new optometrist in London.
Vanessa
The practice is on my way home from work and was recommended to me by a friend. Hours are great! My appointment was on time and the staff was really helpful with billing and picking out new frames. I would recommend them to anyone looking for an optometrist!
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Come Visit Us in Waterloo
Our accessible main floor facility is conveniently located in north Waterloo, near the corner of King and Columbia, just south of the McDonald’s restaurant. 354 King Street North has plenty of free parking and is just a few steps away from the Grand River Transit Route 7 bus stop.
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- 354 King Street North
- Waterloo, ON N2J 2Z2
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