Glasses vs. Contact Lenses: Which Is Better for Your Child's Myopia?

Myopia is becoming increasingly common among children today. Myopia means that distant objects appear blurry while close-up tasks, like reading, are clear. If your child has been diagnosed with myopia, you may be wondering about the best way to help them see clearly and slow the progression of their condition.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This leads to blurry distance vision. Myopia often develops during childhood and tends to progress as your child grows. Managing myopia is important not only for clear vision but also to help lower the risk of eye health complications later in life.

Understanding Glasses for Myopia

Glasses are often the first solution parents consider for their children with myopia. There are several reasons why glasses remain a popular choice. First, glasses are easy and convenient. They are simple to wear, easy to put on and take off, and require minimal maintenance. This makes them suitable for children of all ages, even those who may not be ready to handle the responsibility of contact lenses.

Another important factor to keep in mind is that children’s eyes can change quickly, especially during periods of rapid growth. Because of this, regular eye exams are necessary to update their prescription and make sure your child is always seeing as clearly as possible.

Additionally, there are benefits to choosing multifocal or myopia management glasses. These specially designed lenses offer different focusing powers within a single lens, which can help reduce eye strain and may even slow the progression of myopia in some children. Multifocal glasses can encourage healthier eye development while providing clear vision for both near and distant tasks.

Contact Lenses for Myopia Management

Contact lenses can be an excellent option for some children, especially when myopia control is a top priority. One advanced choice is orthokeratology, commonly known as Ortho-K. These are specially designed rigid contact lenses that are worn overnight. While your child sleeps, Ortho-K lenses gently reshape the cornea, temporarily correcting myopia so they can see clearly throughout the day without needing glasses or daytime contacts. In addition to providing clear vision, Ortho-K has been shown to slow the progression of myopia in many children.

Another effective option is multifocal contact lenses. These are soft lenses worn during the day that feature different prescriptions in various zones of the lens. Like Ortho-K, multifocal contact lenses have been proven to help slow myopia progression, offering another valuable tool for managing your child’s vision.

Contact lenses also offer the advantage of clear peripheral vision, something that glasses can’t always provide. They can be an especially good choice for children who are active or participate in sports. However, wearing contact lenses requires a greater level of responsibility and attention to hygiene to ensure your child’s eyes stay healthy.

Which Is Best for Your Child?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best solution depends on your child’s age, prescription, maturity, lifestyle, and eye health. A comprehensive pediatric eye exam is the best way to determine what will work for your child. During the exam, your eye doctor will:

•           Assess your child’s vision and eye health

•           Review their prescription and how quickly it is changing

•           Discuss their daily activities and preferences

•           Consider their ability to handle contact lenses safely

Your doctor may recommend starting with glasses, trying Ortho-K or multifocal contacts, or even using a combination of both for maximum myopia control.

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

Helping your child manage myopia is about more than just clear vision, it’s about setting them up for lifelong eye health. Both glasses and contact lenses have unique benefits for myopia control. The right option depends on your child’s individual needs, and regular eye exams are essential for monitoring their progress and updating their treatment plan.

If your child has been diagnosed with myopia, schedule a pediatric eye exam with Eyecare Connection to find the best myopia management solution for your family. Visit our office in Highland or White Lake, Michigan. Call (248) 887-4175 or (248) 666-9700 to book an appointment today.