You may notice your child squinting to see the board at school, or perhaps you find yourself moving closer to the TV to read the subtitles. Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is a common vision condition that can affect anyone in your family, from grandchildren to grandparents. At Bethany Eye Care, we know that it can leave you wondering why a prescription that worked last year doesn’t seem quite right anymore, and we want to help.
Myopia can worsen due to the eye growing longer front to back, which usually happens during childhood. Genetics and certain daily habits have been linked to a higher risk of developing nearsightedness, but regular children’s eye exams can detect it early, so they can get back to all their favorite activities.
What Makes Nearsightedness Progress?
Genetics and Family History
Your family tree can tell you a lot about your eyes. If you or your partner are nearsighted, your children have a greater chance of developing myopia, too. This connection passes down through generations, making family history a key piece of your vision puzzle.
Environmental Factors and Habits
Your daily routines also play a big role. Spending many hours on close-up tasks (like reading on a tablet or working on a computer) can contribute to digital eye strain and possibly vision changes. Spending long periods on close-up tasks has been associated with a higher risk of myopia progression, which is what causes distant objects to look blurry.
A lack of time spent outdoors in natural light can also affect how likely your child is to develop nearsightedness, so we recommend getting outside regularly (ideally around 1–2 hours a day).
Signs Your Family’s Vision Changes
It can be tricky to know when a change in vision is happening, especially with kids who may not know how to explain it. You can look for a few common signs that someone in your family might need an updated prescription. These clues can help you catch changes early on:
- Squinting to see distant objects, like a street sign or the television.
- Complaints of frequent headaches or tired, achy eyes, particularly after school or work.
- Moving closer to screens or holding books and tablets very close to their face to see clearly.
Kids are pretty good at working around blurry vision: They’ll scoot closer, squint more, or just decide they don’t like activities that suddenly feel harder. For adults in the family, it might mean feeling less confident while driving at night. If you notice any of these signs, it may be time to schedule an appointment.
Age and Myopia Progression
The Childhood and Teen Years
Just like your kids seem to outgrow their shoes overnight, their eyes can change quickly, too. During childhood and the teen years, the eyes are still growing. These growth spurts are a common time for myopia to develop or worsen, which means lots of prescription updates. This is why our eye doctor in Bethany may recommend more frequent visits for kids and teens than for adults.
When Does Myopia Usually Stabilize?
For many people, the progression of nearsightedness slows down in their late teens or early 20s as their bodies stop growing. However, vision can still change throughout adulthood, so we’ll still want to see adults in the exam chair, too!
Support Healthy Vision Hab
While you can’t change your genetics, you can build healthy habits that support your family’s vision. Simple adjustments can make a difference and are an important part of managing your family’s eye health. These small steps are easy to add to your routine:
- Encourage your family to spend time playing outside each day.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a break from screens.
- Schedule regular appointments with our team to monitor vision changes.
Your Partner in Vision Health
Why Regular Exams Matter
Consistent eye exams are about more than just getting new glasses. They help our eye doctor track vision changes from year to year and make sure prescriptions are accurate for clear, comfortable sight. These visits are also a great time to discuss your family’s specific eye health needs.
Schedule Your Eye Health Exam
Life’s too busy (and too fun) to spend most of your time squinting. Let’s make sure your whole family is seeing every moment clearly. At Bethany Eye Care, our team is here to support you with friendly, comfortable care. Schedule a visit today.
