Myopia or nearsightedness is a growing concern among pediatric optometrists and pediatric ophthalmologists. This is primarily due to the major increase in myopia among children as well as the knowledge that for every diopter increase in a child’s prescription the risks of severe eye diseases such as Glaucoma, Cataracts, and Retinal Detachment increases by 20%-67%.  In our practice we use different methods to slow down the progression of myopia. It is wonderful that there are several options, which include the following:

1. Special custom contacts to reshape the front surface of the eye (called Ortho-Keratology or OrthoK)
2. Ultra low dose atropine eye drops that has been shown in many studies to reduce myopia progression effectively even at younger ages
3. Specialized soft contact lenses that are FDA approved for the reduction of myopia progression in children and teens.

How does myopia (nearsightedness) impact your child in the classroom or while engaging in sports? Use our myopia simulator to see how your myopic child may see the world around them and better understand how that is impacting their success.

Vision therapy is a specialized treatment program designed to improve and correct specific vision problems. These issues may include eye coordination, eye tracking and focusing skills, and visual processing speed. Unlike glasses or contact lenses which address one aspect of a person's vision, vision therapy looks at the entire visual system, including the eyes, their ability to work together, and visual information processing.

Children with special needs like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Down Syndrome often have unique vision needs. In fact, a 2018 study published in the Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus found that up to 40% of children with neurodevelopmental disorders like autism have strabismus (eye turn), compared to 4% of the general population. Amblyopia (lazy eye), a common vision development disorder, is estimated to affect 2-3% of all children, but the prevalence can rise to 20% or higher in populations with developmental disorders.

ASD kids might find eye contact challenging, have focus issues, or are sensitive to light. For them, frequent eye exams are vital to track their vision development and detect and treat any eye conditions early.

Children with down syndrome might face vision issues such as blurry vision, misaligned eyes, or even cataracts. An early and thorough eye exam can help identify these issues and prompt treatments.

In all situations, regular pediatric eye care in a nurturing environment can significantly benefit these children.  By following proactive eye care measures and regular check-ups, we aim to support optimal vision health for all children.