Lifestyle Habits That Can Help Slow Myopia Development

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While genetics play a role in the development of myopia in children and adults, lifestyle habits also have a significant impact—and in many cases, simple changes can help slow the progression of myopia in Jacksonville, FL. For parents, caregivers, and young patients, building healthier visual habits can make a measurable difference over time.

If you have myopia, or your family has a history of nearsightedness–which is the vernacular for myopia–it could help your child if you take into consideration the following lifestyle tweaks—they could possibly help your child to slow or avoid the development of myopia as they age.

Spend More Time Outdoors

Multiple studies have shown that children who spend more time outside tend to develop myopia at a slower rate. Natural light and long-distance visual stimulation help the eyes maintain their shape and flexibility, reducing the likelihood of the eye elongating—a key factor in myopia development. Just 90 to 120 minutes of outdoor play per day can have protective benefits, even for children with a genetic predisposition.

Limit Uninterrupted Screen Use

The digital age has introduced more close-up work than ever before. Extended screen time, whether from tablets, phones, or computers, keeps the eyes in a constant state of near focus. Over time, this may contribute to eye strain and myopia progression. Following the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds—can help break that cycle and give the eyes much-needed breaks.

Encourage Proper Reading Distance and Posture

Children often hold books, phones, or tablets too close to their eyes. Ideally, reading material should be kept at least 12–14 inches from the face, with the back straight and head upright. Good posture not only supports eye health but also reduces neck and shoulder strain, which can exacerbate visual fatigue.

Even with perfect habits, changes in vision can occur without obvious symptoms. Routine eye exams help monitor for early signs of myopia. Taking action now can protect long-term vision health and reduce dependence on stronger prescriptions in the future. Book your child’s eye exam today with an optometrist in Jacksonville, FL to take a proactive step toward clearer, more stable vision.

What Are Common Symptoms of Myopia?

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Do you have trouble seeing things that are far away? Or does your child seem to squint a lot? These are possible signs of being nearsighted or having myopia. Our optometrists in Jacksonville, FL, offer services to help correct your vision if you have this condition. The following are some of the more common signs of being nearsighted.

Blurry Vision at Far Distances

Myopia makes it harder to see things that aren’t close to you clearly due to the shape of your eyes. Objects far away tend to look blurry, while objects near you typically look fine. Having too much curvature in your eyes causes this to happen.

Frequent Squinting

Doing this might allow you to see items farther away a bit more clearly. But it’s also a sign that you’re having trouble with distance vision. Kids with myopia usually squint while looking at a screen to try and see better.

Headaches

Do you get headaches often? This can be from straining your eyes while attempting to view objects that aren’t close to you. Having myopia corrected helps ease these headaches.

Sitting Close to Screens or Holding Books Close

Does your child always sit too close to TV screens or other screens? Do they hold books close to their face while reading? These can also be signs that indicate nearsightedness.

How Is Myopia Treated?

Wearing glasses can correct your vision, making it possible for you to see things in the distance clearly.

Schedule an Eye Exam Today!

Are you or your child due for a routine eye check-up? That’s an important part of catching nearsightedness early! At Stam & Associates Eye Care, we offer myopia treatment in Jacksonville, FL, to help improve your vision — and your quality of life overall!

Does Your Child Need Myopia Management?

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Also known as nearsightedness, myopia in Jacksonville FL is a common vision disturbance in children. Young people with myopia struggle to see objects at a distance clearly, such as the blackboard at school. Teenagers old enough to drive may not be able to make out road signs clearly from a distance, which puts their safety at risk along with others on the road.

How to Recognize Myopia in Your Child

The younger your child, the more they depend on you to notice that something is not quite right with their eyesight. For example, do you notice your child squinting when looking at an object several feet away? Here are some other common symptoms of myopia:

  • Complaints of eye strain or headaches
  • Decreased attention span
  • Feeling fatigued after playing sports, driving, or keeping their attention on objects at a distance
  • Holding books or other items closer to the face than usual
  • Poor school performance
  • Tells you that objects at a distance look blurry or fuzzy

Myopia is so common in kids that parents may underestimate how serious it can be. For every 10 children living with myopia, one will go on to develop major complications such as a significant decrease in visual clarity. Stam & Associates Eye Care offers myopia management in Jacksonville FL to ensure that our pediatric patients receive the best possible treatment for their condition.

Schedule a Vision Exam for Your Child Today

Our optometrists conduct several specialized eye tests on your child to determine the presence of myopia. Our biggest concern is whether your child can switch from near to far vision without distress. We also offer ongoing appointments to ensure that the treatment we prescribed for your child is working as expected. Please contact us at your convenience to request an appointment.