Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the blur at the end of the street.
If you—or your child—can fly through a book but struggle to see what’s happening across the room, chances are you’re dealing with myopia. It’s incredibly common, and it’s growing faster than ever.
Glasses may offer a quick fix, but they don’t address the bigger issue. Left unmanaged, myopia increases the risk of serious eye conditions later in life. That’s why Optical Images in Kirkland focuses on turning short-term fixes into long-term vision wins—starting with technologies like ortho-k.
What Is Myopia, Really?
Myopia (or nearsightedness) happens when the eye grows too long, or the cornea is too curved. That causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of on it—making faraway objects look blurry while close-up activities like reading remain sharp.
More than 40% of Americans are currently myopic. By 2050 half of the world’s population is estimated to become myopic. Why? A mix of genetics and lifestyle plays a role—especially increased screen time and reduced time outdoors.
If your child is glued to a tablet and squinting at the whiteboard, it’s time to take a closer look.
Common Signs of Myopia
Many people don’t realize their vision has shifted, especially kids who think what they see is normal. Look out for signs like:
- Squinting to see faraway objects
- Headaches after trying to focus
- Sitting too close to the screen or TV
- Struggling with night vision or dim lighting
These symptoms may seem small, but without intervention, myopia can progress rapidly—especially during childhood growth spurts. Higher levels of myopia raise the risk of glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration in adulthood.
Myopia Management That Goes the Distance
At Optical Images, we go beyond routine prescriptions. We offer a proactive, personalized plan that includes:
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Also known as “braces for your eyes,” ortho-k uses specially designed gas-permeable lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea. By morning, your vision is clear—no glasses or daytime contacts needed.
Even better? Ortho-K helps slow the progression of myopia in children and teens, reducing the risk of long-term complications.
Lifestyle Coaching
Education is empowerment and we make sure to guide families on healthy visual habits, including:
- Following the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds)
- Prioritizing outdoor time (aim for 90 minutes daily)
- Eating eye-friendly foods like spinach, kale, eggs, oranges, and tuna
- Practicing proper posture during reading and screen time
Comprehensive Eye Exams
Our comprehensive eye exams go beyond basic vision checks. We track eye growth, corneal curvature, and refractive changes to build your child’s myopia management plan. We also screen for early signs of glaucoma, color vision issues, and more. Many early signs of eye conditions and disease are missed during vision tests that just check for distance vision – this is why we echo the importance of regular comprehensive exams.
“I Thought I Just Needed Stronger Glasses…”
Sound familiar? We’ve heard this a few too many times. Many patients come in thinking they simply need an updated prescription—only to find out their myopia has progressed and they’re at risk for high myopia.
That’s why we say: glasses are great for seeing clearly, but prevention is the real MVP for lifelong eye health.
Let’s Build Your Long-Term Vision Strategy
At Optical Images in Kirkland, our myopia management goals are simple: help you or your child see clearly today—and safeguard your sight for tomorrow.
Whether you’re new to myopia management or have been on the hunt for alternatives to glasses, our team is here to guide you. Book your myopia consultation and get started on a personalized plan that fits your life and your vision goals.