If your child’s vision seems to worsen every year, there’s more going on than just needing new glasses. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly common among school-aged children in New Jersey and across the country. And while updated prescriptions can help with day-to-day clarity, they don’t stop the condition from progressing.
What many parents don’t realize is that unchecked myopia can lead to more than just thicker lenses. It increases the risk of serious eye health issues later in life like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration. Contact Lens and Vision offers evidence-based myopia treatment for children to help slow that progression and protect your child’s long-term vision.
Explore our full range of services and see how we build custom plans based on your child’s unique needs.
What Is Myopia and Why Does It Get Worse?
Myopia is a condition where the eyeball grows too long from front to back. This causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. The result: clear vision up close, but blurry vision at a distance. This is why children with myopia often squint in class or sit closer to screens.
The condition tends to start in early childhood and worsens through adolescence as the eyes continue to develop. Glasses and standard contact lenses correct the blurriness, but they don’t stop the eye from elongating. As that elongation increases, so does your child’s risk of:
- Retinal detachment
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts at an earlier age
- Myopic macular degeneration
Because of these risks, early intervention matters. Myopia management isn’t just about seeing clearly now; it's about maintaining clear vision for the future. It’s about reducing the long-term damage that progressive nearsightedness can cause.
What Does Myopia Management Involve?
At Contact Lens and Vision, myopia management is a structured care plan designed to slow the progression of myopia during the critical years of childhood development. Rather than simply updating prescriptions each year, we offer treatment options that address the underlying cause: elongation of the eye.
Our team offers evidence-based options for controlling myopia in children, including:
MiSight® 1-day contact lenses
These FDA-approved soft lenses are for children ages 8–12 at the start of treatment. These daily disposables easy to manage, and they significantly slow myopia progression.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Patients wear these specialty gas-permeable contact lenses overnight. They gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, allowing for clear vision during the day without glasses or daytime lenses.
Low-dose atropine eye drops
People use this topical drop nightly to reduce the rate of eye growth. Eye doctors often recommend it for younger children or those who are not yet ready for contact lenses.
We tailor each treatment based on age, lifestyle, prescription history, and eye health. We track their progress at regular intervals and make adjustments as needed.
How to Know if Your Child Needs Myopia Management?
The best indicator is change. If your child’s prescription increases consistently each year, or if they need new glasses every 6 to 12 months, they may be a candidate.
Other signs include:
- Holding books or tablets very close to their face
- Squinting to see distant objects
- Complaints of headaches or eye fatigue
- Falling behind in school due to vision difficulties
- Avoiding outdoor play
Children who already wear glasses or contact lenses may still benefit from a treatment plan that slows progression. During a myopia evaluation, our team will assess eye length, prescription stability, and risk factors to determine the right next steps.
What to Expect from a Myopia Management Plan
Once your child starts treatment, we begin an ongoing process of monitoring and refinement. We schedule follow-up appointments every few months to evaluate:
- Prescription changes
- Axial length (the measurement of eye growth)
- Lens comfort and fit
- Treatment adherence and results
Parents receive clear updates about how their child’s vision is responding to treatment. If needed, we adjust the plan to ensure the best long-term outcome. Our optometrists are here to answer your questions and help your child stay on track, whether they’re active in sports, headed to school, or navigating screen time.
This isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a long-term investment in your child’s eye health.
Myopia Management in New Jersey
With offices in Woodbridge, East Brunswick, Freehold, and Edison, Contact Lens and Vision makes high-quality myopia care accessible for families across Central New Jersey. Our optometrists work closely with parents to create personalized treatment plans that are safe, effective, and built to evolve with your child.
Myopia doesn’t have to progress unchecked. With the right tools and expert care, you can take control of your child’s vision, and give your child the lifelong gift of healthier vision.
Schedule your child’s eye exam at one of our four locations. Give your child a clearer, healthier future by starting their myopia management plan now.