Your children grow really fast, unfortunately so does their myopia.
Poor vision can have a significant impact in your child's life and development. As an optometrist recognized by the American Optometric Association's Myopia Collective and CooperVision as a "Change Agent" in Myopia Management, Dr. Bhat is committed to helping slow myopia progression and protect your child's long-term eye health. If your child has myopia, or you suspect they may have it, book an appointment today. At Union Family Eye Care, we're dedicated to helping families in Indian Trail, Matthews, Charlotte, Stallings, Mint Hill, and Weddington, and the greater Charlotte area.
What is myopia?
Myopia, otherwise known as nearsightedness, is a condition that causes objects to appear blurry at a distance, while closer objects generally remain much clearer. Myopia occurs when the eye is proportionally too long, so the distance between the cornea and the retina is farther than it should be. This means that when light enters the eye, it focuses before it reaches the retina, causing blurred vision. It can also result from the shape of the cornea or the thickness of the lens inside the eye. Myopia is one of the most common vision problems worldwide, affecting more than 40% of the American population, and its incidence is increasing rapidly.
If you’re concerned about the progress of your child’s myopia, please schedule an appointment today. It’s better to intervene early than wait until their vision is too far progressed when we may not have as many management options.
What causes myopia?
The exact cause of myopia is not known, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some of the factors that may contribute to myopia include:
More screen time
Less outdoor activities
Prolonged near work
Urbanization
Medical factors
Genetics
Are members of your family myopic? If so, don't hesitate, schedule an appointment now.
How to spot the signs of myopia
- Headaches
- Tired eyes
- Regularly rubbing their eyes
- Needing to get close to screens
- Struggling to see distant objects
If your child is showing any of these symptoms, book an appointment now.
How myopia could affect your child
Myopia can have a significant impact on a child's daily life and their overall development
Learning
Myopia can make it difficult for a child to see the whiteboard or projector screen in a classroom. This can affect their ability to learn and take notes, potentially leading to a decline in academic performance.
Sports and physical activity
Myopia can make it difficult for a child to participate in sports and other physical activities that require good vision — such as tracking a ball in basketball, tennis, and soccer.
Outdoor activities
Children with myopia may be less inclined to engage in outdoor activities, since distant objects are harder to see clearly — which can affect their overall health and well-being
Socialization
Children with myopia may have trouble seeing their friends or participating in group activities, which can affect their socialization and self-esteem.
Safety
Myopia can make it difficult for a child to see hazards and obstacles in their environment.
Myopia management options for your child
There are several myopia management options for your child, and no one solution fits everyone. We'll talk about all of these options below.
ESSILOR® STELLEST™
As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your child’s vision as they grow. Essilor® Stellest™ lenses are now part of our Myopia Management Platform — giving families access to one of the most advanced, science‑backed solutions available.
Stellest lenses are designed specifically for children, helping slow down myopia progression early while still providing clear, comfortable vision day‑to‑day. It’s a smart way to support your child’s long‑term eye health and keep their world in focus as they learn, play, and explore.
MYOPIA CONTROL CONTACT LENSES
You want to give your child every advantage as they grow. Dr. Bhat, Union County's first certified provider in CooperVision's Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program, offers a proven, child-friendly option to help slow myopia progression.
MiSight 1 Day soft contact lenses — the only FDA-approved contact lens for myopia control — are designed specifically for children. They're worn during the day and simply thrown away at night, making them a clean, comfortable, and easy routine for busy families.
Most importantly, MiSight lenses have been shown to reduce the rate of myopia progression in children, helping safeguard long-term eye health while keeping daily vision clear and comfortable
ORTHOKERATOLOGY
Ortho-K offers a unique, non-surgical way to manage myopia while giving children freedom throughout the day.
With Ortho-K, your child simply wears a specially designed rigid gas-permeable lens overnight. While they sleep, the lens gently reshapes the cornea to correct their vision. In the morning, they remove the lens and enjoy clear vision all day long, with no glasses or contacts needed.
Ortho-K is one of the most effective and widely used methods for slowing myopia progression, making it a powerful option for families looking for long-term protection and everyday convenience.
ATROPINE EYE DROPS
Atropine eye drops offer a research-supported option for slowing myopia progression, drawing on more than a century of ophthalmic use and decades of dedicated myopia-control research.
In very low doses, atropine can slow myopia progression by about 50%, and most children tolerate it well. Because the drops can sometimes cause mild stinging, some kids may squeeze their eyes shut, which can reduce how much medication is absorbed — and that's why we monitor each child closely to make sure treatment is working effectively.
While other options like bifocal or progressive lenses exist, research shows they're considerably less effective (roughly 25% reduction) — which is why we typically recommend atropine or other higher-efficacy options as part of a comprehensive myopia management plan.
If you'd like to explore whether atropine is right for your child, we're here to guide you every step of the way
Schedule a Myopia Management Consult
If you're concerned about your child's myopia progression, please schedule an appointment today. It's better to intervene early than wait until their vision has progressed too far, when we may not have as many management options. We serve families in Indian Trail, Matthews, Charlotte, Stallings, Mint Hill, and Weddington, and the greater Charlotte area
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MiSight® 1 Day: A Revolutionary Solution for Myopia Management
MiSight® 1 Day contact lenses represent a significant advancement in pediatric eye care. As the first FDA-approved product of its kind, MiSight® 1 Day is paving the way for a future where myopia is effectively managed, ensuring healthier vision for generations to come.
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Lets fight myopia together
We're committed to helping as many children as possible, but we need your help.
If you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who may benefit from a myopia management consult or treatment, please share this page or refer them to our practice. We serve families in Indian Trail, Matthews, Charlotte, Stallings, Mint Hill, and Weddington, and the greater Charlotte area.
We believe that every child deserves the highest quality care, and we make sure that all of our patients receive the attention and support they need to reduce the progression of their myopia.