Can Nearsightedness in Kids Be Slowed? Myopia Control and DreamSculpt™ Ortho-K Explained

Yes, in many children, nearsightedness can be slowed down. DreamSculpt Ortho-K overnight lenses, special myopia-control contact lenses and low-dose atropine eye drops can slow how fast myopia gets worse. More time outdoors may also help keep children from becoming nearsighted.

I'm a mom, a grandmother, and an eye doctor. Few things in my work matter more to me than this one. When a parent tells me, "Her prescription goes up every single year," I want them to know we can do more than keep buying stronger glasses.

What is myopia?

Myopia is the medical name for nearsightedness. A child with myopia sees well up close, but things far away look blurry. Think of the board at school, road signs or a ball coming at them on the field.

In most kids, myopia happens because the eyeball grows a little too long from front to back. Light then focuses in front of the retina instead of right on it. Glasses or contacts move that focus back to where it belongs, so the child sees clearly. But regular glasses don't slow the eye's growth.

Myopia often starts in the school-age years. It tends to get worse as children grow, then usually levels off in early adulthood. The younger it starts, the more time it has to progress.

Why does it matter if my child's prescription keeps going up?

A stronger prescription means thicker lenses and more dependence on glasses. But the bigger concern is eye health later in life.

As the eye stretches longer, the tissues inside it, including the retina, are stretched too. Higher levels of myopia are linked to a greater risk of:

• Retinal detachment, when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye
• Glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve
• Myopic maculopathy, damage to the central part of the retina that we use for sharp vision
• Cataracts at a younger age

These problems aren't certain, and most nearsighted people never have them. But the risk climbs as myopia gets higher. Every bit we can slow it down may lower that risk over a lifetime. That's the whole idea behind myopia control.

Why are more kids nearsighted today?

Genes play a role. A child with one or two nearsighted parents is more likely to become nearsighted. But lifestyle matters too. Kids today spend more time on close-up tasks, like phones, tablets and reading, and less time outdoors. Both have been linked to myopia.

What are the options to slow myopia?

There isn't one right answer for every child. Your eye doctor will consider your child's age, prescription, lifestyle and maturity. Here are the main options.

DreamSculpt Ortho-K overnight lenses

DreamSculpt Ortho-K uses custom-made rigid contact lenses that your child wears only while sleeping. Overnight, the lenses gently reshape the front surface of the eye. In the morning, your child takes them out, and many kids see clearly through the day without glasses or contacts. Research shows this kind of overnight lens can also slow how fast myopia progresses in many children.

Parents love that there's nothing to wear at school or sports. Kids love waking up and seeing. DreamSculpt Ortho-K does require careful nightly cleaning and regular follow-up visits, because any contact lens worn overnight carries some risk of infection. Learn more about DreamSculpt Ortho-K.

Myopia-control soft contact lenses

Some daily soft contact lenses are designed to correct vision and slow myopia at the same time. MiSight 1 day is one example. These lenses have special zones that change how light focuses on the edges of the retina. Your child puts in a fresh lens each morning and throws it away at night. Many kids handle daily lenses well with a parent's help at first.

Low-dose atropine eye drops

Atropine is an eye drop that has been used in eye care for many years. At very low strengths, given once a day, it has been studied as a way to slow myopia. It's an option many eye doctors discuss with families, sometimes alone and sometimes along with lenses. Your eye doctor can explain whether it makes sense for your child.

More time outdoors

This one is free. Studies suggest that children who spend more time outside are less likely to become nearsighted. Bright daylight and looking at things far away both seem to help. Send them out to play. It's good for their eyes and so much more.

Healthy screen habits

Encourage breaks during close work. Hold books and devices at a comfortable distance, not right up to the face. Keep screens out of the bedroom at night.

Is my child too young or too old?

Myopia control works best when started early, while the eyes are still growing quickly. But it can help older kids and teens too. The best way to know is a full eye exam and a conversation about your goals. Learn more about myopia management and our pediatric eye care.

When should you see an eye doctor?

Book an exam if your child:

• Squints, sits very close to the TV, or holds devices close to their face
• Complains of blurry vision at school or trouble seeing the board
• Rubs their eyes a lot or gets headaches after school
• Has a prescription that goes up at each visit
• Has one or both parents who are nearsighted

Call us right away or go to the emergency room if your child has:

• Sudden vision loss or a shadow or curtain in their vision
• New flashes of light or a sudden shower of floaters
• An eye injury or a chemical splash
• A red, painful eye while wearing contact lenses or DreamSculpt Ortho-K lenses

How we do it at Bolt Eye Group

At Bolt Eye Group, we offer DreamSculpt Ortho-K and myopia management for kids and teens. Dr. Mehdi Kazemzadeh at our Lawrenceville office specializes in myopia control. Dr. Jaymini Nayee offers DreamSculpt Ortho-K in Canton and East Cobb, and Dr. Susan Reimbold offers it in Johnson City.

We start with a comprehensive eye exam and a full eye-health check. Every patient also gets retinal photos and corneal topography for a $39 imaging fee. Then we talk through the options as a family. We'll explain the commitment each one takes, so you can choose what fits your child. We also fit scleral and specialty contact lenses, and we have in-office opticians to help kids pick frames they love.

We accept VSP, EyeMed, Davis Vision, Spectera, Medicare and major medical plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna and Humana. HSA/FSA and CareCredit are welcome. Ask our team what your plan covers.

Frequently asked questions

Can myopia in children be reversed?

Myopia control is meant to slow progression, not reverse it. DreamSculpt Ortho-K lenses can temporarily reshape the eye so a child sees clearly without glasses during the day, but the effect wears off if the lenses are stopped.

Is DreamSculpt Ortho-K safe for kids?

Many children wear DreamSculpt Ortho-K lenses successfully. Like any contact lens worn overnight, it carries a risk of infection, so careful cleaning and regular follow-up visits are essential. Your eye doctor will decide if your child is a good candidate.

At what age can kids start myopia control?

There's no single right age. Many children start in the early school years, when myopia often appears and progresses fastest. An eye exam can show whether your child is a good fit.

Do regular glasses make myopia worse?

No. Regular glasses don't make myopia worse, and your child should wear them as prescribed. They just don't slow it down the way myopia-control treatments can.

How much outdoor time helps?

Research suggests more time outside is linked to a lower chance of becoming nearsighted. Talk with your eye doctor about a realistic goal for your family.

Book an exam at your nearest Bolt Eye Group office

If your child's prescription keeps climbing, let's talk. Book an exam at your nearest Bolt Eye Group office in Canton, East Cobb/Marietta, Lawrenceville, Riverdale or Johnson City, TN. Visit our locations and directions page to find yours.