Real Story:
My daughter was recently prescribed myopia control glasses (peripheral defocus lenses) after an eye exam. A few days after wearing them, she kept rubbing her eyes and said they felt dry. We went back to the eye doctor, who said she had mild inflammation. He gave her anti-inflammatory eye drops and artificial tears, and her symptoms quickly improved.
Even though these glasses don’t touch the eyes like contact lenses, dryness or discomfort can still happen. Parents should know what to watch out for.
What Are Myopia Control Glasses?
These special lenses help slow down nearsightedness in children. The center of the lens provides clear vision, while the outer part slightly blurs the image to reduce eye growth, which causes worsening myopia. Although they don’t directly contact the eyes, proper care and adjustment time are important.
Why Do Kids Feel Eye Dryness or Itchiness?
Possible reasons include:
- Prolonged near work or screen time, which reduces blinking and dries out the eyes
- Dry indoor air from air conditioning or fans
- An adjustment period as the eyes get used to the new glasses
- Some children have naturally sensitive eyes or produce fewer tears
What Can Parents Do?
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, have your child look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and encourage frequent blinking.
- Improve the environment by using a humidifier and avoiding direct airflow on the face.
- Use preservative-free artificial tears as recommended by your eye doctor to keep eyes moist.
- Include eye-friendly foods like carrots, fish (salmon), and nuts in their diet.
- Don’t delay medical care if symptoms worsen, such as persistent redness, itching, or discharge.
Summary
| Key Issue | How to Respond |
|---|---|
| Why are eyes dry? | Prolonged near work, dry environment, adjustment period, natural sensitivity to inflammation |
| How to relieve it? | Regular breaks, humidify environment, use artificial tears, dietary adjustments, timely medical care |
| Active monitoring | Regular eye checkups, observe child’s eye habits and symptoms |
Trusted Sources
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) — Pediatric Dry Eye and Screen Time
- American Optometric Association (AOA) — Dry Eye in Children
- PubMed / NIH — Research on Peripheral Defocus Lenses and Myopia Control
- Review of Optometry — Dry Eye Risks in Kids and Lifestyle Factors
