Childhood Myopia

You and your child will meet with a pediatric optometrist to review your family’s eye history and environmental factors that may be contributing to your child’s myopia. Myopia consultations are longer than typical eye appointments to allow enough time for a thorough evaluation and to discuss appropriate treatment options and expectations. 

Your child’s eye doctor will test their visual acuity and eye health to determine if they are a candidate for treatment to slow myopia progression. If necessary, several eye measurements, including length of eyeball, retinal photos, and a 3D map of their cornea will be created. This information can be used during treatment to monitor your child’s eye health and the effectiveness of the myopia control. Finally, your child’s eyes will be dilated to help their doctor determine the most accurate prescription needed to correct their vision.

Multifocal soft contact lenses worn during the day can slow the eye elongation responsible for myopia. The center of each lens corrects nearsightedness, and the outer portions bring peripheral light rays into focus. Young children can wear multifocal soft contact lenses but will require help inserting and removing them. We will fit your child with contact lenses, teach you how to care for them, and practice inserting and removing them.  

A low-dose prescription eyedrop given before bedtime can slow the progression of myopia in children. Atropine drops are compounded at a special pharmacy and mailed to your home. We will show you and your child how to administer and store the drops.

Ortho-K lenses are firm, custom-made contact lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the surface of the eye. They provide clear vision in the daytime without having to wear glasses or contact lenses, and have been shown to slow the progression of myopia. Ortho-K lenses can be a good solution for children who participate in sports.

Medical insurance and vision plans may cover the costs of a basic eye examination but currently do not pay for more extensive testing or treatments for myopia. If your child is a candidate, we will recommend a specific treatment plan, and all costs will be fully discussed so that you can decide if myopia management is the best choice for your child and your family.

Pediatric eye specialists at the nationally ranked Duke Eye Center are experienced in evaluating and caring for infants and children. We use the latest advances in pediatric ophthalmology to optimize your child’s vision and eye health. Our child-friendly waiting rooms and clinical spaces are designed to reduce stress for the whole family.

If your child needs specialized care, they will have access to a range of providers trained in the medical and surgical management of childhood eye conditions, including amblyopia and strabismus, glaucoma, cataracts, and prematurity-related eye problems, among other rare conditions. If your child requires multiple visits for different eye conditions, we make every effort to coordinate their care and maximize your convenience.