Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month: Myopia Control & Back-to-School Readiness
August Is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month: What Every Parent Needs to Know About Myopia Control
As families across the San Francisco Bay Area prepare for the back-to-school season, August also marks an important opportunity to focus on something often overlooked in childhood wellness: our children’s vision. That’s why we’re proud to recognize August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month — a perfect time to bring awareness to the rising rates of myopia (nearsightedness) in kids and what parents can do to protect their child’s long-term visual health.
The Myopia Epidemic: More Than Just Glasses
Myopia has become one of the most common vision issues affecting children today — and it’s growing rapidly. What many families don’t realize is that childhood myopia is more than just a need for stronger glasses. When left unchecked, myopia can progress quickly and significantly increase the risk of serious eye diseases later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
As a longtime researcher and clinician focused on myopia control, I’ve dedicated my career to slowing this progression. And the good news? There are now scientifically proven ways to reduce how quickly myopia worsens in children.
Evidence-Based Treatments Available Today
At the Mosaddegh Eye Institute, I offer personalized, evidence-based myopia control programs tailored to each child’s age, prescription, eye growth patterns, and lifestyle. These may include:
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses worn overnight
- Daytime multifocal soft contact lenses
- Specially designed spectacle lenses for myopia management (coming soon?)
- Lifestyle and screen-time guidance for healthy visual development
Together, we can help ensure that your child sees clearly — now and into adulthood.
A Back-to-School Reminder: Schedule That Eye Exam
August is also the perfect time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam before school begins. Many vision problems go unnoticed in the classroom, where poor vision can affect
everything from reading performance to confidence on the playground. In fact, 1 in 4 school-age children have a vision issue that could impact learning — and many of these are correctable or manageable with early detection.
If your child wears glasses and their prescription keeps increasing every year, that’s not “normal” — that’s a sign we need to intervene.
Why Now Matters
The earlier we begin myopia control, the more effective the results. Childhood eye health lays the foundation for a lifetime of better vision — and that starts with awareness, early exams, and modern solutions rooted in science.
As we honor Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, I invite you to schedule a myopia consultation or annual eye exam at the Mosaddegh Eye Institute. Let’s start the school year off with clarity, confidence, and a clear vision for your child’s future.
— Dr. Thomas Aller, OD, FBCLA
Director, Myopia Control Clinic
Specialty Contact Lens Specialist Mosaddegh Eye Institute
Frequently Asked Questions
- Myopia, or nearsightedness, is when children see nearby objects clearly but distant objects appear blurry. If left unchecked, it can progress quickly and increase the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
- Evidence-based treatments include orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses worn overnight, daytime multifocal contact lenses, specially designed myopia-control glasses, and lifestyle guidance, such as limiting screen time and encouraging outdoor activities.
- Comprehensive eye exams should be scheduled annually, and ideally before the school year starts, to detect vision issues that could affect learning, reading, and overall confidence.
- Frequent prescription changes are not “normal” and can indicate that myopia is progressing. Early intervention with myopia control can help slow this progression.
- Starting myopia control early gives the best chance to reduce long-term risks, preserve eye health, and maintain clearer vision into adulthood.
