As parents, we want to give our children every possible advantage—from a great education to a healthy diet and a safe environment. But one thing that often gets overlooked is their eye health. And when it comes to children’s vision, Myopia—commonly known as short-sightedness—is becoming more common than ever. At Care Optics, we specialise in Myopia Control, helping children maintain clearer vision and a brighter future.

Let’s explore what Myopia is, how to spot it in your child, and the amazing ways we can help manage and slow its progression.

Myopia is a refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry, while close-up vision remains clear. It happens when the eye grows too long from front to back, or when the cornea is too curved. As a result, light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

It usually starts in childhood or adolescence and tends to worsen as the child grows. In recent years, Myopia has become more common, especially in school-aged children.

Why is this happening? Several factors are at play, from genetics (if one or both parents are short-sighted) to lifestyle factors like too much screen time or not enough outdoor play.

Children don’t always realise their vision is impaired—they assume the way they see the world is normal. That’s why it’s so important for parents to know the signs:

- Squinting to see distant objects (like the TV or classroom board)

- Sitting very close to screens or books

- Frequent eye rubbing

- Complaints of headaches or eye strain

- Difficulty seeing distant things clearly, like road signs or the teacher’s writing

- Falling behind at school or appearing disengaged

- Holding books or tablets very close to the face

If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, it might be time for a professional eye test.

Many people think Myopia is just a simple vision issue—something glasses can fix. While corrective lenses help with seeing better, they don’t stop the progression of the condition.

Uncontrolled Myopia can lead to more serious eye health issues later in life, including:

- Retinal detachment

- Glaucoma

- Cataracts

- Macular degeneration

These risks increase the more severe the Myopia becomes. That’s why Myopia Control is so important—it’s about protecting long-term eye health, not just correcting blurry vision.

At Care Optics, our Myopia Control programme is designed to slow down the progression of Myopia in children and teenagers. It includes a combination of specialised treatments, lifestyle advice, and regular monitoring.

Here are some of the cutting-edge solutions we offer:

1. MiSight® 1 Day Contact Lenses

These soft contact lenses are clinically proven to slow Myopia progression in children. They work by altering how light focuses on the retina, helping to manage the growth of the eye while providing clear vision.

2. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)

Also known as overnight lenses, Ortho-K involves wearing specially designed rigid lenses while sleeping. These lenses gently reshape the cornea overnight, allowing for clear vision during the day—without glasses or contacts. They're safe, effective, and increasingly popular among active children and teens.

3. Specialised Myopia Control Glasses

These glasses look just like regular spectacles but are designed with unique lens technology to reduce eye strain and help slow progression.

4. Lifestyle Recommendations

We also guide families on the best lifestyle practices, like:

- Spending at least 90 minutes outdoors daily (natural light supports healthy eye development)

- Reducing screen time and close-up activities

- Following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away

We recommend a comprehensive eye exam at the age of 4 or 5, just before starting school. If there’s a family history of Myopia or any concerning symptoms, it’s best to get them checked even earlier.

After that, children should have annual eye exams, especially during the growth spurts of childhood and adolescence when Myopia tends to progress fastest.

At Care Optics, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to monitor eye health, measure eye length (a key indicator of Myopia progression), and build a personalised treatment plan.

Currently, there is no cure for Myopia, but it can be managed. Our goal is to slow or stabilise the condition so that your child’s vision doesn’t worsen more than it has to.

This can make a massive difference over time. A child who progresses to -6.00 diopters (a high degree of Myopia) is significantly more at risk for eye diseases than a child whose Myopia is controlled and remains around -2.00 diopters.

Let’s clear up a few misconceptions:

“Wearing glasses makes Myopia worse.”
Not true! Glasses help correct vision but don’t impact the progression of Myopia either way.

“My child doesn’t complain, so their eyes must be fine.”
Children often don’t realise they can’t see well. Regular eye exams are the best way to catch issues early.

“If both parents have Myopia, it’s unavoidable.”
While genetics play a role, early intervention and Myopia Control strategies can still make a significant difference.

At Care Optics, we truly live by our slogan: Eye Care, We Care. We understand how important your child’s vision is—not just for today, but for the rest of their life.

Our experienced optometrists, advanced diagnostic tools, and warm, supportive environment make us a top choice for families seeking expert Myopia care.

We don’t just hand out glasses—we partner with you to preserve your child’s long-term eye health.

Get in Touch – We’re Here to Help

If you’ve noticed your child squinting, rubbing their eyes, or struggling to see distant objects, don’t wait. Early action is key in slowing Myopia.

You can Call, fill out a form and find out where our branches are here:

https://www.careoptics.co.uk/contact-us

At Care Optics, your family’s vision is our mission. Let’s work together to protect it—because eye care is caring.