If your child squints to see the chalkboard in class or struggles to see distant objects clearly, the worry sets in quickly. After taking them to the eye doctor and getting a myopia diagnosis, you’re probably wondering when you can take action to protect their vision for the future. Fortunately, there’s no minimum age requirement to start myopia management treatment.
At Vision Source Mandan, we’ve been caring for children’s vision since 1950, and our doctors recommend beginning myopia control as soon as we identify nearsightedness or determine your child is at increased risk of high myopia. Whether your child is five, eight, or 12 years old, we can develop a treatment plan tailored to their needs. Dr. Brittany Schauer, Dr. Wayne Aberle, and Dr. Danielle Dyke have extensive experience helping families protect their children’s vision through evidence-based myopia management approaches.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Myopia—also known as nearsightedness—typically develops before age 10 and progresses rapidly during childhood. The younger your child is when nearsightedness begins, the faster it tends to worsen. Children between the ages of six and 10 often show the most rapid progression, so starting treatment as early as possible makes a significant difference.
Without intervention, myopia can progress every few months until it stabilizes in the late teens or early twenties. This isn’t just about needing stronger glasses each year. Each increase in myopia means your child’s eyeball is growing longer than it should. This elongation can stretch and thin the retina, significantly increasing the risk of serious eye conditions later in life.
High myopia raises your child’s chances of developing retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts at a younger age. By starting myopia management early, we can slow this progression and reduce these lifetime risks.
Myopia Treatment Options by Age
The specific myopia management treatments available depend partly on your child’s age and maturity level. Most research has focused on children from approximately ages six through 16, though some options work for younger or older patients. Potential treatment options for your child’s myopia include the following:
Specialty Eyeglasses
Myopia management glasses called Essilor Stellist feature special lens designs that slow progression while correcting vision. In fact, these eyeglasses are 71% effective at slowing myopia. This solution is FDA-approved for children ages six to 12, but we can treat children outside those ages with off-label options.
Specialty Contact Lenses
Myopia-control contact lenses can be highly effective for school-age children. CooperVision MiSight 1-day contact lenses are FDA-approved for children ages eight to 12 at the start of treatment. These daily disposable lenses both correct your child’s vision and slow myopia progression through a specialized optical design.
Studies show these lenses can reduce myopia progression by approximately 59% compared to standard single-vision lenses over three years. For many children, this represents a significant reduction in their final level of nearsightedness and associated eye health risks.
Your child needs to be mature enough to handle contact lens insertion, removal, and care. We work closely with families to teach proper hygiene and handling techniques. Many children as young as eight successfully manage daily disposable lenses with initial parental supervision.
Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine drops offer another effective approach. You apply these drops at bedtime to help slow the lengthening of the eyeball that causes myopia to worsen. Atropine treatment requires less hands-on involvement from your child compared to contact lenses, making it suitable for younger patients.
The drops come in different concentrations, and we’ll determine the right strength based on your child’s specific needs. Your child will still need glasses or contact lenses to correct their vision, as atropine only slows progression rather than correcting the refractive error itself.
Is Your Child a Good Candidate for Myopia Treatment?
Several factors help us determine the best approach for your child. Children, teenagers, or young adults with any level of nearsightedness may benefit from myopia management. We consider family history particularly important, as children with myopic parents face a higher risk of rapid progression.
We also evaluate how quickly your child’s prescription changes. Faster progression typically means a more urgent need for intervention. During your child’s comprehensive eye exam, we’ll measure their current prescription and the growth of their eyeball using specialized equipment.
Your child’s lifestyle matters, too. Time spent outdoors and on near work or screens plays a role in myopia development and progression. We’ll discuss environmental and behavioral modifications that can complement any treatment we recommend. Children who spend more time outdoors tend to have slower myopia progression, so we often suggest at least two hours of outdoor time daily when possible.
Protect Your Child’s Vision With Myopia Management at Vision Source Mandan
Since 1950, Vision Source Mandan has provided comprehensive eye care to families throughout Mandan, Bismarck, and surrounding North Dakota communities. Our doctors bring extensive experience and credentials to your child’s care. Dr. Brittany Schauer joined our practice in 2012 and serves on the North Dakota Optometric Association board. Dr. Wayne Aberle, an active member of the National Guard, and Dr. Danielle Dyke work alongside her to provide comprehensive myopia management services using the latest evidence-based approaches.
We understand your concerns when your child is diagnosed with myopia, and we’re here to guide you through every step of the treatment process. The sooner we begin myopia management, the more we can do to slow progression and reduce future eye health risks. Contact our office to schedule a comprehensive eye exam and discuss which myopia management approach is right for your child.