- Email: info@shamrockeye.com
(Do not send personal health information by email.) - Phone: 614-889-8331
- Fax: 614-760-0256
Dublin, OH 43017
- Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
If your child's glasses prescription seems to change every year, you're not alone. Myopia management helps slow the progression of nearsightedness and may support healthier vision for years to come. At Shamrock Family Eye Care, we help Dublin-area families explore options like Ortho-K, multifocal lenses.
As parents, we expect our children to outgrow their shoes. Many families are surprised when their child's glasses prescription grows right along with them.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, has become increasingly common among children. While glasses help kids see clearly, they do not slow the eye growth that causes prescriptions to become stronger over time. That's where myopia management comes in.
What Is Myopia Management and Why Does It Matter?
Myopia develops when the eye grows too long, causing distant objects to appear blurry. Traditional glasses and contact lenses correct vision, but they don't address the underlying growth of the eye.
Myopia management focuses on slowing that axial length growth.
Why does that matter? Children with higher levels of myopia may face a greater risk factors of eye health complications later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration.
Parents often notice signs such as:
- Frequent prescription changes
- Squinting to see distant objects
- Sitting closer to screens
- Difficulty seeing the board at school
- Holding books very close while reading
The earlier myopia is identified with regular eye exams, the more opportunities there may be to slow its progression.
How Do Ortho-K Lenses Work?
Orthokeratology, commonly called Ortho-K, uses specially designed contact lenses worn overnight. While your child sleeps, the lenses gently reshape the surface of the cornea. In the morning, the lenses come out and many children enjoy clear vision throughout the day without glasses or contact lenses.
For active kids, that's often a major advantage.
Whether they're playing soccer, participating in dance, swimming, or simply enjoying recess, they can go about their day without worrying about glasses getting in the way.
Many parents are even more interested in Ortho-K because of its role in myopia control. Research has shown that Ortho-K can help slow the progression of nearsightedness in many children, making it one of the most widely used myopia management options available today.
Ortho-K is only one piece of the puzzle. Depending on your child's needs, treatment may also include:
- Multifocal contact lenses
- Lifestyle recommendations that support healthy visual development
A comprehensive eye exam helps determine which approach fits your child best.
The Ohio Winter Challenge: Getting 2 Hours of Outdoor Light
One of the simplest recommendations for myopia management has nothing to do with glasses or contact lenses.
Studies have found that spending more time outdoors may help slow the progression of myopia in children. Many eye care professionals recommend aiming for about two hours of outdoor time each day whenever possible.
That sounds great in theory. Then January arrives in Central Ohio.
Between cold temperatures, gray skies, school schedules, and packed calendars, many Dublin families find it difficult to reach that goal during the winter months.
The good news is that every bit of outdoor time counts.
Here are a few practical ways to add more outdoor activity throughout the year:
Make Outdoor Time Part of the Daily Routine
A short walk after school, time at a local playground, or family walks around the neighborhood can help children spend more time outside without adding another activity to the schedule.
Take Advantage of Dublin's Parks
Dublin offers excellent outdoor spaces throughout the year. Parks, walking trails, and sports fields create opportunities for children to stay active even during cooler months.
Stay Active During Winter
When weather limits outdoor play, community recreation centers and indoor sports programs can help reduce sedentary screen time and encourage healthy activity.
Create Screen Break Habits
The goal isn't to eliminate screens. Instead, encourage regular breaks during homework, gaming, and recreational screen use. Following the 20-20-20 rule can help reduce eye strain: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Small habits often add up to meaningful results over time.
Myopia Management in Dublin, OH
Myopia management works best when it's tailored to the individual child. Factors such as age, prescription changes, lifestyle, family history, and visual demands all play a role in determining the right approach.
At Shamrock Family Eye Care, we work closely with families to create personalized myopia management plans that fit each child's needs. Whether that includes Ortho-K, multifocal lenses, or a combination of strategies, our goal is simple: help children enjoy clear vision today while supporting their long-term eye health.
If you've noticed your child's prescription changing year after year, now is a great time to learn more about your options.
Request an appointment with Shamrock Family Eye Care today to learn whether myopia management may be right for your child.