In today’s digital age, screens are everywhere. From virtual classrooms and homework apps to video games and social media, children in The Woodlands and Tomball are spending more time than ever staring at phones, tablets, and computers. While these tools support learning and connection, they also come with unintended consequences for developing eyes.
Recent research shows that prolonged close-up screen use can contribute to increasing rates of nearsightedness (myopia) in children, especially when combined with limited outdoor time and intensive near work. Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long, causing distant objects to appear blurry while near vision remains clear. And once myopia develops, it often continues to progress through childhood, increasing the risk of more serious eye problems later in life, such as retinal detachment or glaucoma.
At Glimpse Eye Care in The Woodlands, our pediatric eye care experts are seeing this trend firsthand, and we are here to help families understand the risks, monitor visual development, and proactively slow myopia progression with proven interventions like Ortho-K and MiSight lenses.
Screen Time and Nearsightedness: What Parents Should Know
Children’s eyes are still growing, and their visual systems are responsive to the demands placed on them. Focusing up close for long periods — whether on books or screens — encourages the eye to elongate, which directly contributes to progressive myopia. While genetics play a role, environmental factors like extended screen time and not enough time outdoors are now major contributors.
Experts recommend balancing screen activities with breaks and outdoor play, which stimulates the release of dopamine in the retina and supports healthy eye growth. Parents should encourage regular breaks using the “20-20-20 rule”: every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
How Early Myopia Management Makes a Difference
Annual eye exams are essential, especially because children may not always notice or communicate subtle vision changes. Comprehensive pediatric eye exams at Glimpse Eye Care detect early signs of myopia and help guide families toward interventions that slow progression, not just correct blurry vision.
Here are two effective myopia management for kids options offered:
Ortho-K (Orthokeratology)
Ortho-K uses specialized gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight that gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps. When the lenses are removed in the morning, vision remains clear throughout the day without glasses or contacts. More importantly, studies have shown these lenses can slow the progression of myopia in children by influencing how light focuses on the eye.
MiSight® Daily Contact Lenses
MiSight® lenses are FDA-approved soft contact lenses designed specifically for children. Worn during the day, these lenses provide clear vision and actively help slow the worsening of nearsightedness. Because they are daily disposables, they also offer excellent convenience and hygiene for young wearers.
Both approaches focus on slowing the rate at which myopia develops, not just compensating for blurry distance vision. Early intervention can reduce the need for stronger prescriptions over time and minimize long-term risks.
What You Can Do Now
Limit continuous screen time. Encourage regular breaks and alternate near tasks with outdoor play.
Schedule annual eye exams. Early detection allows for timely intervention with strategies like Ortho-K and MiSight lenses.
Talk to your eye doctor about myopia control options. Personalized plans help protect your child’s vision now and in the future.
At Glimpse Eye Care, we are committed to supporting families with advanced vision care tailored to each child’s needs. Our pediatric eye care team uses the latest technology to track visual development and recommend the best myopia management plan for your family.
Don't wait for your child to complain of blurry vision. Early action can make all the difference in maintaining clear sight and healthy eyes throughout life.
Schedule a pediatric eye exam today to learn how Glimpse Eye Care can help your child thrive visually, academically, and socially.