One child has myopia: should their brother or sister get an eye test too?

Your eldest got glasses last year and the grade has climbed since. Your younger child sits through the same school days, plays the same mobile games and has never complained. Does that child need an eye test too?

Short answer: yes, and sooner than you might think. Here is why, and what to expect.

Myopia tends to run in families

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more common in children with a nearsighted parent, and a child with a nearsighted sibling is in a household with similar habits and surroundings. Genes are part of the picture. Daily routines matter too, including time spent outdoors and time spent on close work. Neither factor guarantees a result for any one child, which is why each child needs their own exam rather than assumptions based on a sibling.

Children rarely complain

A child who has always seen blurry distance has nothing to compare it with. They will not say the board is fuzzy. They adapt, move closer, squint or lose interest in what they cannot see.

Signs to watch for include:

• Sitting very close to the TV or holding a tablet near the face.
• Squinting or tilting the head to see the board.
• Frequent headaches after school.
• Rubbing the eyes often.
• A drop in classroom performance without another clear reason.

None of these prove myopia. They are reasons to book an exam.

What the optometrist checks

In a Vision7 exam, the optometrist reviews the child's case history, including family eye history, then tests visual acuity and measures the prescription objectively and subjectively. They check how the two eyes work together and screen for external eye problems. The last step is diagnosis and management, where the optometrist explains what was found and what to do next.

For a child with no myopia, that may simply mean a clean result and a date to come back. Children's eyes change as they grow, so a clear result today does not mean clear results next year.

If the exam does find myopia

The first step is correcting vision so the child can see the board and the world clearly. After that, the optometrist may discuss myopia control. These are lenses designed to slow how fast a myopic child's grade climbs. They do not reverse myopia, and no honest source can promise a specific result for your child. Results differ between children, so any figure you see quoted should be treated carefully.

Myopia control is also not a treatment for lazy eye. Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is a different condition where one eye does not develop clear vision, and it is managed in a different way. Do not mix the two up.

Which lenses to ask about

Vision Express does not list myopia control lenses on the standard Lens Menu, since choosing one is a clinical decision. The three the team works with are Hoya MiYOSMART, Essilor Stellest and Shamir Optimee. The optometrist decides whether one is right based on your child's age, grade, and how quickly the grade has changed.

For a child who just needs a clear everyday pair, Opulens Advanced 1.60 is in stock and ready in 20 minutes.

Habits that help at home

• Encourage outdoor time every day. It is good for children's eyes and general health.
• Take breaks from close work and screens. Look at something far away for a minute or two.
• Keep a regular eye exam schedule for every child, even when nobody complains.

Book the exam, then ask by name

Book a Vision7 eye test for each of your children at your nearest Vision Express store. A licensed optometrist runs the seven steps and tells you plainly what they found.

If myopia is found and the optometrist recommends control, ask about Essilor Stellest, Hoya MiYOSMART or Shamir Optimee and which fits your child. If your child just needs a dependable everyday pair the same day, ask for Opulens Advanced 1.60. Every pair comes with a 1-year warranty, free lifetime ultrasonic cleaning, and free lifetime custom fitting and adjustment.