Myopia Management Bay Area | Slowing Nearsightedness in Kids

At San Carlos Eye Care we provide myopia management for children and teens across the San Francisco Bay Area. Our goal is to slow the progression of nearsightedness using proven treatments like low-dose atropine, specialized contact lenses, and lifestyle guidance—helping protect your child’s long-term vision and eye health.

If your child’s glasses prescription keeps getting stronger each year, you’re not alone.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, happens when the eye grows too long, causing distant objects to look blurry. It’s becoming more common among children who spend a lot of time reading or using digital devices.

When myopia progresses quickly, it can increase the risk of eye conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment or glaucoma.

The good news is that there are safe and effective ways to slow that progression.

Ortho-K (Overnight Lenses)

These custom contact lenses are worn while your child sleeps. They gently reshape the cornea overnight so vision is clear throughout the day—without glasses or daytime contacts.

Best for: Active kids or those who prefer not to wear lenses during the day.

MiSight & Specialty Soft Lenses

MiSight daily lenses are FDA-approved to help slow the progression of myopia while providing clear vision. They’re comfortable, easy to handle, and well suited for responsible children ready for contact lenses.

Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops

One drop each night can help reduce how quickly myopia worsens. It’s a simple, painless treatment that can be used alone or combined with other options.

Myopia Glasses (Coming Soon)

A new option for myopia control has recently been FDA approved in the United States — specialized myopia control glasses designed to help slow down nearsightedness in children. These lenses work by gently altering how light focuses on the retina, similar in concept to myopia control contact lenses. While they are already available in other countries, they are not yet commercially available in the US, but are expected to be released soon.

There are several effective strategies that can be implemented at home to help manage and slow down the progression of myopia.

1. Encourage Outdoor Play: Research suggests that spending more time outdoors can significantly slow the progression of myopia. Aim for at least 2 hours of outdoor play each day. Natural light and focusing on distant objects has been shown to help in reducing the amount of myopia.

2. Limit Screen Time: Excessive use of screens can strain the eyes and may contribute to the worsening of myopia. Set limits on screen time, ensuring breaks are taken every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds—the "20-20-20 rule."

3. Proper Room Lighting:  Ensure that the environment where your child reads or uses electronic devices is well-lit to prevent eye strain. Use ambient lighting that evenly illuminates the room without causing glare on screens or books. Avoid harsh or dim lighting that can cause the eyes to work harder.

4. Promote Proper Reading Habits:  Encourage children to maintain a healthy distance between their eyes and books or screens. The recommended distance is about the length of a child’s forearm. Ensure adequate lighting to avoid eye strain.

During your child’s myopia consultation, we will:

1. Measure eye growth and curvature using advanced imaging

2. Review daily habits and screen use

3. Discuss treatment options tailored to your child

4. Create a personalized plan with regular follow-up visits

Our goal is to help your child enjoy clear, comfortable vision and confidence as they grow.