A Fun Look at Nearsightedness and How to Slow It Down

Let’s face it — kids today are growing up in a world of screens. Between online classes, video games, and YouTube marathons, those tiny eyes are working overtime! 😅

But here’s the catch: too much screen time can do more than just make them tired — it can actually affect how their eyes grow and lead to a condition called myopia (a fancy word for nearsightedness).

At Clara Vista Eyecare, we’re on a mission to help families protect young eyes with smart habits, cool technology, and a dash of fun!

🕶️ What Is Myopia Anyway?

Myopia (pronounced my-OH-pee-uh) means your child can see things up close just fine — but the world far away looks a little fuzzy.

Kids with myopia might:

• Squint to see the board at school
• Move closer to the TV
• Hold books or tablets right up to their face
• Complain of headaches or tired eyes

Glasses can help them see better, but they don’t stop the eyes from getting worse. That’s where myopia management comes in — it’s like training wheels for your child’s eyes to keep them strong and steady as they grow!

💻 How Screen Time Plays a Role

We’re not here to ban screens (we know that’s impossible!), but too much close-up work can cause eye strain and speed up myopia progression.

Here’s how to give those eyes a break:

👀 The 20-20-20 Rule

Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Think of it as a mini eye vacation! 🌴

🌞 Get Outside — Daily!

Studies show that 2 hours a day outdoors can help keep myopia in check. Natural light and looking far away are like exercise for your eyes.

🕹️ Screen Smart Habits

• No screens during meals or right before bed.
• Take “vision breaks” between games or homework.
• Keep devices about an arm’s length away — not right up to the nose!

🧠 The Science-y Part (But Still Cool!)

When kids spend too much time focusing up close, their eyes may grow longer — and that’s what causes myopia. Once that eye growth starts, it can keep progressing if left unchecked.

That’s why early detection and management are key. With special lenses, gentle treatments, and regular monitoring, we can slow myopia down and keep those eyes healthy for the future.

💙 How Clara Vista Eyecare Helps

At Clara Vista Eyecare, we take a full-circle approach to your child’s vision. Our myopia management plans may include:

• 👓 Special contact lenses (like MiSight® or Ortho-K) to reshape vision overnight or slow myopia during the day
• 💧 Low-dose eye drops that help control eye growth
• 🌈 Lifestyle coaching for healthy screen and outdoor habits

We track your child’s eye growth, celebrate their progress, and help families make eye care easy and fun!

🚀 Set Your Child’s Eyes Up for Success

Healthy eyes mean a brighter future — in school, sports, and everyday life. The earlier we start managing myopia, the better the results.

So let’s team up! 👓

📅 Book your child’s Myopia Management Evaluation today at Clara Vista Eyecare, and let’s help their vision stay clear, strong, and screen-ready!