Clear vision plays a critical role in your child’s learning, development, and confidence. However, more children than ever are being diagnosed with myopia, also known as nearsightedness. At Slate Canyon Eye Care, we are dedicated to helping families in Provo, UT understand myopia, recognize its signs, and take steps to protect long-term eye health through myopia management.
Myopia is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while close-up objects remain clear. It occurs when the eye grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. In today’s digital world, with increased screen time and less outdoor play, myopia is appearing in children at younger ages and progressing faster than in the past.
Vision is closely linked to academic performance. Children with untreated myopia may struggle to see the board, follow classroom instructions, or participate in activities that require distance vision. This can lead to:
Difficulty concentrating in school
Increased eye strain and headaches
Avoidance of reading or classroom participation
Early detection and treatment can help ensure that your child’s vision doesn’t become a barrier to their learning and growth.
Parents are often the first to notice signs of myopia in children. Common symptoms include:
Squinting to see the board or TV
Sitting very close to screens
Complaints of blurry distance vision
Frequent eye rubbing or headaches
Difficulty with sports or outdoor activities
If your child is showing these signs, it’s time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.
Routine pediatric eye exams are essential for detecting and monitoring myopia, as vision changes in children can occur rapidly - even if they seem to see well. Annual exams allow our doctors to identify vision changes early, track the progression of myopia over time, and provide personalized treatment strategies to help slow its development. By catching myopia early, we can protect your child’s long-term eye health and reduce the risk of serious vision complications in the future.
Traditional glasses and contact lenses correct vision but do not slow the progression of myopia. Myopia management involves specialized treatments designed to slow the elongation of the eye, which reduces the risk of developing serious eye conditions in adulthood, including:
Retinal detachment
Glaucoma
Cataracts
Myopic maculopathy
By controlling myopia progression now, you are helping safeguard your child’s vision for the future.
We offer evidence-based solutions to slow myopia progression, including:
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Special overnight contact lenses gently reshape the cornea, providing clear daytime vision and helping slow myopia progression.
Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose medicated drops have been shown to slow the progression of myopia in children.
Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses or Glasses: These specialized lenses are designed to reduce the stimulus for the eye to grow longer, helping control myopia development.
We personalize every treatment plan to match your child’s unique needs and lifestyle.
We are committed to supporting families in Provo, UT and the surrounding communities with comprehensive myopia care. We understand that managing your child’s vision is about more than correcting blurry sight. Our team partners closely with families to provide education, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing monitoring, ensuring every child receives the care they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Take the first step toward protecting your child’s vision and long-term eye health. Schedule a pediatric eye exam with Slate Canyon Eye Care today and discover how our personalized myopia management solutions can help your child see clearly and thrive