Why Does My Child’s Glasses Prescription Keep Getting Worse?
- Shawn Lessard
- Mar 10
- 2 min read
Many parents notice that their child’s glasses prescription seems to increase every year. This can be frustrating and sometimes worrying.
In many cases, this happens because the child has myopia, also known as nearsightedness.
Myopia occurs when the eye grows longer than normal. When this happens, light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it, causing distant objects to appear blurry.
Why Myopia Often Progresses in Children
During childhood, the eyes are still growing. For children with myopia, this growth can cause the eye to become progressively longer, which leads to stronger glasses prescriptions over time.
Traditionally, eye care focused mainly on updating glasses prescriptions as vision changed. Today, there is increasing focus on myopia management, which aims to slow the progression of myopia rather than simply correcting it.
Monitoring Eye Growth With Axial Length
One of the most important tools in modern myopia management is axial length measurement.
Axial length is the measurement of the eye from front to back. When myopia progresses, the eye usually becomes longer.
By monitoring axial length over time, eye care professionals can track how quickly the eye is growing and evaluate whether treatment is helping slow that growth.
Treatment Options for Myopia Management
Several approaches may help slow the progression of myopia in children. One of the most effective options is orthokeratology (Ortho-K).
Ortho-K uses specially designed contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the surface of the eye. When the lenses are removed in the morning, many patients can see clearly throughout the day without glasses or contact lenses.
In addition to improving daytime vision, orthokeratology may help slow the progression of myopia in many children.
A Modern Approach to Myopia Management
At Northern Optics, myopia management includes careful monitoring of eye growth using axial length measurements and discussing treatment options such as orthokeratology.
This allows us to take a more proactive approach to protecting long-term eye health.
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