What is Myopia Progression?

Myopia progression is when nearsightedness gets worse over time. In plain English, myopia means nearsightedness, and it usually progresses because the eye is growing too long from front to back.

If your child's glasses keep getting stronger each year, that can be a sign of progression. Regular glasses and standard contact lenses correct blur, but they are not designed to slow myopia progression. Myopia control treatments may help slow progression in doctor-selected candidates, but they are not a cure and do not reverse myopia. The best next step is to ask your eye doctor whether your child needs monitoring or a myopia control plan.

How Fast Does Myopia Progress?

Eye care professionals track myopia progression two ways: the glasses prescription in diopters, and axial length - how long the eye is from front to back. In research studies, children with progressing myopia often show eye growth of roughly 0.2 to 0.5 mm per year, and prescription changes of about -0.50 to -1.00 diopters per year. Myopia progression is often fastest in younger children and tends to slow as a teenager gets older. These are study averages and do not predict an individual child's result - only an eye exam can assess your child.

What Causes It and Why It Matters

Myopia progression is shaped by genetics and environment. A younger age of onset, limited time outdoors, and heavy near work such as reading and screens can all play a role. Higher levels of myopia can increase the long-term risk of certain eye conditions, so slowing progression is about protecting long-term eye health, not just sharpening vision today.

What Parents Can Do Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is myopia progression?

Myopia progression is when nearsightedness gets worse over time. It usually happens because the eye is growing too long from front to back, so your child needs a stronger prescription to see clearly.

What causes myopia to get worse?

Myopia progression is influenced by genetics and environment, including a younger age of onset, limited time outdoors, and heavy near work such as reading and screens.

How fast does myopia progress in children?

In research studies, children with progressing myopia often show eye growth of roughly 0.2 to 0.5 mm per year and prescription changes of about -0.50 to -1.00 diopters per year. These are study averages and do not predict an individual child's result.

How is myopia progression measured?

Eye care professionals track it using the glasses prescription in diopters and the axial length of the eye. Ask your eye doctor whether axial length measurement is available to monitor your child over time.

At what age does myopia stop progressing?

Myopia progression usually slows in the late teens to early twenties, but this varies from child to child. Ask your eye doctor what to expect for your child.

Can myopia progression be reversed or cured?

Myopia control treatments are not a cure and do not reverse myopia. They may help slow progression in doctor-selected candidates while your child is monitored over time.

Why does my child's prescription keep getting stronger?

Stronger prescriptions each year are often a sign of myopia progression. A comprehensive eye exam can confirm whether your child's myopia is progressing. Learn more in our parent guide.

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References

  1. Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036-1042. View source
  2. Bullimore MA, Brennan NA. Myopia Control: Why Each Diopter Matters. Optometry and Vision Science. 2019;96(6):463-465. View source
  3. Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical and environmental factors in myopia aetiology. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 2012;31(6):622-660. View source