Your Child's Vision Is Changing Fast. Here's What You Can Do About It.
If your child keeps asking to sit closer to the TV, or their glasses prescription has changed again at the last two visits, they may have myopia, also called nearsightedness. Myopia in children is more than just a vision problem. Left unmanaged, it can progress year after year, increasing the risk of serious eye conditions later in life. At Vision Palace Optical on Avenue U in Brooklyn, we offer myopia control lenses designed specifically to slow that progression in kids ages 6 and up.
This is something a lot of Brooklyn parents don't know exists. You don't have to just update the prescription and hope for the best.
What Is Myopia, and Why Is It Getting More Common?
Myopia means the eye has grown slightly too long, causing distant objects to blur. It typically starts in childhood and can worsen throughout the school years. According to the National Eye Institute, myopia rates have been rising steadily across the U.S. and are especially common in kids who spend a lot of time on screens or doing close-up work indoors.
Sound familiar? Between homework, tablets, and phones, Brooklyn kids today are doing more near-vision work than any generation before them. That's not a scare tactic, it's just the reality that makes regular eye exams more important than ever.
The concern isn't just blurry vision now. High myopia over time can raise the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and other serious conditions in adulthood. Slowing the progression while your child is young can make a real difference down the road.
Stellest Lenses: Designed to Slow Myopia Progression
Vision Palace Optical carries Stellest lenses by Essilor, one of the most clinically supported myopia control options available for children. Stellest lenses use H.A.L.T. technology (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target) to create a shell of defocus in front of the retina, which may slow the eye from continuing to grow too long.
In a clinical study, children wearing Stellest lenses full-time showed 67% slower myopia progression on average compared to children in standard single-vision lenses. That's a meaningful difference when you're talking about your child's long-term eye health.
Stellest lenses look like regular eyeglass lenses. Your child wears them all day, just like any other pair of glasses. There's no special routine, no drops, no extra steps.
How We Approach Myopia Control at Our Avenue U Practice
When you bring your child in for a comprehensive eye exam at Vision Palace Optical, Dr. Julia Sheyko or Dr. Alexander Shlivko will evaluate their current prescription and discuss how much it's changed over time. If myopia progression is a concern, they'll explain your options and help you decide if Stellest lenses are the right fit for your child.
We serve kids ages 6 and up. A lot of our patients come from Sheepshead Bay, Gravesend, Marine Park, and Brighton Beach, and many families have been coming to us for years across multiple generations. We speak English, Russian, and Spanish in the office, so whatever language makes things easier for your family, we've got you covered.
We also accept Medicaid, MetroPlus, Fidelis Care, EyeMed, 1199SEIU, and many other plans. Coverage varies by plan, so call us or book through Zocdoc to verify your benefits before your visit.
What to Watch For at Home
You don't need to wait until your child complains to book an eye exam. A few signs that it might be time to come in include squinting at the board at school, sitting too close to screens, frequent headaches after reading, or rubbing their eyes a lot. These can all point to a vision issue worth checking out.
Annual eye exams are especially important for kids whose myopia is already progressing. Catching changes early gives you more options for managing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can kids start myopia control treatment?
At Vision Palace Optical, we see children ages 6 and up for myopia management. The earlier myopia progression is identified, the more opportunity there is to slow it down during the critical growing years.
How do I know if my child's myopia is progressing?
The clearest sign is a prescription that keeps changing at every visit. Your optometrist can compare measurements over time to evaluate the rate of progression and discuss whether myopia control is appropriate.
Are Stellest lenses covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your specific plan. We accept many insurance plans including Medicaid, MetroPlus, Fidelis Care, and EyeMed, among others. Coverage varies by plan, so call us or book through Zocdoc to verify your benefits before your visit.
Do Stellest lenses feel different to wear?
Most kids adjust to Stellest lenses the same way they would any new pair of glasses. They look like standard eyeglass lenses, and your child wears them all day as their primary glasses. There's no adaptation period beyond what's typical for any updated prescription.
Can myopia be reversed with treatment?
Myopia control lenses are designed to slow progression, not reverse myopia that's already developed. Your doctor will evaluate your child's specific situation and set realistic expectations based on their prescription history and age.
What if my child also needs a new frame?
We have a great selection of kid-friendly frames in our eyewear collection at the Avenue U showroom. Durable, comfortable, and styles kids actually want to wear.
Book your child's eye exam at Vision Palace Optical. Book through Zocdoc or call us at (718) 998-8400. We're at 1723 Avenue U in Brooklyn, open Monday through Saturday. If your child's prescription keeps changing, let's talk about what we can do to help.