Keeping Your Child's Myopia in Check
WHAT IS MYOPIA - and why does it matter?
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is where close objects appear clear but distant ones look blurred. It occurs when the eye grows slightly too long, and it typically worsens through childhood.
Left unmanaged, myopia that progresses during childhood significantly increases the risk of serious eye conditions in later life.
The good news is that progression can be slowed — and at Eye Emporium, we offer proven treatments to help protect your child's vision now and in the future.
Eye emporium in numbers
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1M+eyes cared for -
5.0Trustpilot score -
16average years experience of our optometrists -
42years and still family run -
15stores, same personal service
SIGNS YOUR CHILD MAY HAVE MYOPIA
Children rarely complain about their vision — they simply adapt. Here are six signs that your child may be short-sighted and would benefit from an eye test.
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Sitting Too Close to ScreensIf your child regularly sits very close to the TV or holds their phone or tablet right up to their face, it's one of the most telling signs of short-sightedness. They're instinctively moving closer to see more clearly.
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Squinting to FocusSquinting narrows the field of vision and temporarily sharpens blurry images. If your child squints when looking at a board, a screen, or anything in the distance, it's worth getting their eyes checked promptly.
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Struggling to See the Board at SchoolIf your child is falling behind, losing concentration, or complaining that they can't see the board, poor vision may be a contributing factor. Short-sightedness is one of the most common and overlooked causes of underperformance at school.
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Complaining of Headaches or Eye StrainFrequent headaches — particularly after school or screen time — can indicate that your child's eyes are straining to focus. This is especially common in children whose short-sightedness hasn't yet been diagnosed or corrected.
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Rubbing Their EyesPersistent eye rubbing, especially when concentrating or watching TV, can be a sign that the eyes are fatigued from working harder than they should to see clearly.
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Their Prescription Keeps Getting StrongerIf your child already wears glasses and their prescription seems to change at every visit, this is a key indicator that their myopia is progressing. This is exactly when specialist myopia management can make the biggest difference.
WHY IS MY CHILD'S EYESIGHT GETTING WORSE?
Children's eyes are still growing — and in myopic children, the eye can grow too quickly, making short-sightedness progressively worse through childhood and into the teenage years.
Key factors that accelerate progression include genetics, limited time outdoors, and extensive near work like reading and screen use. Once the eye stops growing — usually in the late teens — myopia stabilises. Acting during childhood is the critical window for making a meaningful difference.
If one or both parents are short-sighted, your child is significantly more likely to develop myopia. Early testing and monitoring is strongly advised.
HOW EYE EMPORIUM CAN HELP
Myopia Plan
At Eye Emporium, we offer Myopia Care Plans starting from just £25 per month. These plans include:
- Appointment fees.
- The right treatment solution for your child - myopia management glasses or contact lenses.
- Ongoing monitoring and personalised care.
Our flexible care plans ensure your child’s vision is always a priority without unexpected costs.
YOUR CHILD'S MYOPIA MANAGEMENT JOURNEY
Book an eye test-
1
Myopia Assessment
A thorough eye examination to measure your child's current prescription, assess the rate of progression, and understand their lifestyle and needs. We take the time to involve your child in the conversation — not just you.
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2
Treatment Recommendation
Based on the assessment, our optometrist will recommend the most suitable myopia management approach. We'll explain the options clearly, answer every question, and never rush you into a decision.
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3
Fitting & Getting Started
Whether your child is being fitted for MiyoSmart, Stellest, or Ortho-K lenses, we ensure everything is comfortable, well-fitting, and properly understood by both you and your child before you leave.
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4
Ongoing Monitoring
Myopia management is an ongoing process. We'll schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your child's prescription, assess the effectiveness of treatment, and make any adjustments needed.
We'd love to help look after your child's eyes.
If you're concerned about your child's vision or their short-sightedness seems to be getting worse, we're here to help.
Book a myopia assessment at your nearest Eye Emporium and we'll take the time to understand their eyes properly.
USEFUL INFORMATION
What is myopia?
Myopia, or short-sightedness, means your child can see close objects clearly but struggles with things in the distance. It occurs when the eye grows slightly too long, and it typically develops and worsens during childhood.
How do I know if my child has myopia?
Common signs include squinting, sitting close to the TV, struggling to see the board at school, frequent headaches, and rubbing their eyes. The most reliable way to confirm myopia is a professional eye test — and at Eye Emporium, children's eye tests are free on the NHS until the age of 16.
What is myopia management?
Myopia management refers to specialist treatments designed to slow the progression of short-sightedness in children. Unlike standard glasses, which simply correct current vision, myopia management treatments actively intervene in how the eye grows — reducing progression and protecting long-term eye health.
What is Ortho-K and is it safe for children?
Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea, giving clear vision throughout the day without glasses. It is a well-established, clinically proven treatment and is considered safe for children when properly fitted and monitored by an experienced optometrist — which is exactly what we provide at Eye Emporium.
At what age can myopia management start?
Myopia management can typically begin from around age 6 for spectacle-based treatments like MiyoSmart. Ortho-K suitability depends on the individual child. The earlier management begins, the greater the potential benefit — so we'd always encourage parents to book an assessment as soon as they have concerns.
How often will my child need to be seen?
We recommend follow-up appointments every six months for children on myopia management programmes — or more frequently if their prescription is changing rapidly. Regular monitoring is essential to assess treatment effectiveness and make any adjustments needed.
My child already wears glasses — can they switch to myopia management lenses?
Yes. If your child is already wearing standard single vision glasses, switching to MiyoSmart is straightforward and can begin at their next appointment. Ortho-K is also an option if they meet the suitability criteria.
Is myopia management available on the NHS?
Your child's eye test remains free on the NHS until the age of 16. If your child qualifies for an NHS optical voucher, this can be deducted from the cost of MiyoSmart lenses — the voucher value will depend on their prescription strength. Our team will explain exactly what's covered and what the remaining cost would be, so there are no surprises.
Can you transfer my records from my last opticians?
Yes, of course! Just let us know the details of your previous optician and we'll contact them directly to request your prescription and any relevant eye health information
Do I need to bring anything to the appointment?
It's helpful to bring your childs last prescription or current glasses with you. If they wear contact lenses, bring those too along with the packaging so we have your lens details.