Why Glasses Are Making Your Child's Vision Worse

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Okay, tell me if this sounds familiar.

Your child goes in for their first eye exam because they failed the vision screening at the pediatrician’s office. The eye doctor explains that your child is nearsighted (myopic) and needs glasses to see far away. Up close? No problem.

You get the glasses. Suddenly, the board at school is clear again. But a year later, you’re back in the office… and the prescription has gotten stronger. Another new pair of glasses. The year after that? Stronger still.

At some point, you probably wonder: are these glasses actually making things worse?

And while for years we brushed that off as an “old wives’ tale”… the truth is, those moms and grandmas might not have been completely wrong.

Why Nearsightedness Progresses

First, let’s ground this in science. Nearsightedness happens when the eyeball grows too long. That length causes light to focus in front of the retina, instead of directly on it. The more the eye elongates, the stronger the prescription needs to be.

And guess what? Kids’ eyes grow just like their bodies do. Growth spurts can mean jumps in prescription. For decades, ophthalmologists and optometrists had no real tools to stop this progression—we could only prescribe glasses or contacts so kids could function in school, sports, and daily life.

The Glasses Question: Old Wives’ Tale or Truth?

Here’s the part that surprises most parents.

Standard, single-vision glasses (the kind most kids wear) are great at focusing light on the center of the retina. But the eye isn’t flat—it’s curved. Which means that while the center is focused correctly, the light at the edges (the periphery) is focused behind the retina.

This “peripheral hyperopic defocus” sends the eye a signal: keep growing to catch up. Over time, that elongation can make myopia worse.

So yes, the very glasses helping your child see may also be nudging their eyes to grow longer. Not immediately, not drastically—but steadily, year after year.

What’s Different Now: New Lens Technology

Here’s the exciting part. We no longer have to shrug and say, “there’s nothing we can do.”

Researchers and companies have developed innovative lens designs that address this peripheral defocus. These glasses correct central vision and gently shift how light focuses on the edges of the retina—helping to slow the signal for the eye to elongate.

Three leading technologies you may hear about:

• Stellest (by Essilor): Uses “rings” of tiny lenslets around a clear center zone.

• MiyoSmart (by Hoya): Uses a honeycomb-like pattern of lenslets (called DIMS technology).

• MyoCare (by Zeiss): Similar concept with their own proprietary design.

Across large clinical trials, these lenses slowed myopia progression by 50–60% over two years. That’s huge.

The Catch: Not in the U.S. (Yet)

Here’s the frustrating news for parents here in the States: none of these lenses are FDA-approved yet. They’re widely available in Asia, Europe, and even Canada—but not here.

I do sometimes work with families to access international options, but for most U.S. families, we’re still waiting. My guess? It may be another 5–6 years before these are readily available here.

What You Can Do Right Now

• Don’t panic. Glasses are still essential. Your child needs to see clearly to succeed in school and everyday life.

• Ask about lifestyle strategies. More outdoor time, taking glasses off for near work (if the prescription is mild), and limiting screen strain can all help.

• Know your options. Myopia control isn’t just futuristic—it’s already here globally. And it’s coming to the U.S.

The Bottom Line

So yes—there’s truth to the idea that traditional glasses can contribute to worsening nearsightedness. But that doesn’t mean your child shouldn’t wear them. Clear vision is non-negotiable.

The encouraging part? We finally have new lens technology that can slow the progression. While these aren’t yet available in the U.S., the tide is turning. And when they arrive, they’ll give families a real tool to help protect their child’s future vision.

Want to Learn More?

This is just the beginning. In upcoming episodes, we’ll explore:
-How screen time and digital habits are shaping our kids’ development
–The connection between vision and overall health
–What you need to know about common eye procedures like LASIK and cataract surgery
–Practical ways to advocate for your child’s visual needs

You can subscribe to my podcast, In Focus, anywhere you listen—or follow along on Instagram for updates and tips.

Watch this episode on Youtube right now!

Thanks for reading—and for doing what you can to protect your child’s vision, one step at a time.

– Dr. Rupa Wong
Pediatric Ophthalmologist | Surgeon | Mom of 3

This episode is brought to you by The Pinnacle Podcast Network! Learn more about Pinnacle at learnatpinnacle.com