My Child Has Glasses - What Comes Next as They Grow?

Finding out your child needs glasses can bring a mix of relief and new questions. While glasses help your child see clearly today, they are only one step in an ongoing vision care journey. As children grow, their eyes continue to develop, and their visual needs can change along the way. Understanding what to expect next helps parents stay proactive and confident about their child’s eye health. At San Marino Optometry, we work closely with families to support healthy vision through every stage of childhood.

Vision Changes Are Normal as Kids Grow

Children’s eyes are constantly developing, especially during the early school years. Because of this, it’s very common for a child’s glasses prescription to change over time - sometimes even yearly.

Vision changes aren’t always easy for kids to recognize or communicate, which is why routine eye exams are so important. Some signs your child may need an updated prescription include:

• Squinting or rubbing their eyes

• Sitting unusually close to screens or books

• Complaints of headaches or tired eyes

• Difficulty concentrating during reading or schoolwork

Regular eye exams ensure your child’s prescription stays accurate and comfortable as they grow.

Why Ongoing Pediatric Eye Exams Matter

Once your child starts wearing glasses, consistent eye care becomes essential. Annual pediatric eye exams allow your optometrist to monitor changes early and make adjustments before vision problems affect learning or daily activities.

During these visits, we evaluate more than just clarity of vision, including:

• Eye coordination and focusing skills

• Depth perception

• Visual tracking for reading and sports

• Overall eye health as your child develops

Early detection helps set your child up for long-term visual success.

Understanding Myopia Progression in Children

Nearsightedness is one of the most common reasons children need glasses. For many kids, myopia can worsen as they grow, especially during elementary and middle school years.

When myopia progresses quickly, it can increase the risk of future eye health issues. That’s why careful monitoring and early intervention are so important. Your child’s eye exam helps us track prescription changes and determine whether additional treatment options should be considered.

Exploring Myopia Management Options

If your child’s nearsightedness is progressing, myopia management may be recommended. Unlike standard glasses alone, myopia management focuses on slowing down how quickly myopia worsens over time. 

Depending on your child’s age, vision needs, and daily activities, myopia management options may include low-dose atropine eye drops to help slow prescription changes, orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea, or MiSight® soft contact lenses, which are FDA-approved to help manage myopia progression in children. Our optometrist will help you determine whether myopia management is appropriate and which approach best fits your child’s needs.

Partnering in Your Child’s Vision Care

Glasses are not a one-time solution - they are the beginning of a long-term approach to protecting your child’s eyesight. With routine eye exams, timely prescription updates, and proactive options like myopia management, you can help your child see clearly and confidently as they grow.

If your child has glasses or want to learn more about myopia management, contact San Marino Optometry to schedule a pediatric eye exam and take the next step in protecting their vision. We proudly serve the San Marino, San Gabriel, and Arcadia communities. Please call (626) 415-3600 to book an appointment today.