Myopia Control | Karns Vision Center

Myopia Control in Knoxville

In Knoxville

Understanding Myopia & Why Early Treatment Matters

Does your child struggle to see the board at school? Do they complain about frequent headaches or squinting? These are common signs of myopia, also known as nearsightedness. Myopia affects over 40% of Americans and is becoming more common in children.

Myopia makes distant objects appear blurry while close-up vision remains clear. It often develops in childhood and progresses into the teenage years. If left unchecked, worsening myopia can increase the risk of eye diseases like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts later in life.

Controlling myopia early can help slow its progression, reducing the need for stronger prescriptions over time. Book an appointment today to learn how myopia control can protect your child’s vision.

Why Myopia Control is Important for Your Child

Nearsightedness can impact your child’s ability to succeed in school, sports, and daily life. Difficulty seeing in class can lead to frustration, and poor vision in social settings can make it harder to interact with friends.

Corrective lenses can improve sight, but myopia control treatments go beyond that—they help slow the worsening of nearsightedness. Early intervention may reduce the likelihood of severe prescriptions in adulthood, lowering the risk of future vision problems.

The sooner treatment begins, the better the results. Contact our team to schedule an evaluation and explore the best options for your child’s vision care.

What Causes Myopia?

Myopia is primarily caused by the eyeball being too long or the cornea being overly curved, which prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina. Genetics play a major role—if one or both parents are nearsighted, their child has a higher chance of developing myopia.

However, environmental factors also contribute. Increased screen time and prolonged near-work activities, like reading or using digital devices, may accelerate myopia progression. Limited outdoor time has also been linked to a higher risk of myopia in children.

Encouraging outdoor activities, reducing unnecessary screen exposure, and scheduling regular eye exams can help manage your child’s vision health. If you notice signs of myopia, book an appointment for a thorough assessment.

Myopia Control Treatments at Karns Vision

Our clinic offers a range of myopia control options designed to slow progression and improve your child’s long-term eye health.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) – Specially designed contact lenses worn overnight gently reshape the cornea, providing clear vision throughout the day without glasses or daytime contacts.
Atropine Eye Drops – A low-dose prescription eye drop used to slow myopia progression while maintaining comfortable vision for daily activities.
Multifocal Contact Lenses – These lenses provide clear vision at all distances while helping to slow the rate of myopia progression.

Our team will assess your child’s needs and recommend the most effective approach for their eye health. Schedule a consultation today to discuss personalized myopia control options.

Supporting Your Child’s Vision Health

In addition to professional myopia treatments, small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Encouraging outdoor play for at least 90 minutes a day can help reduce myopia progression. Taking regular breaks from screens and maintaining proper reading distances also support healthy vision.

Routine eye exams allow for early detection and personalized treatment plans. At Karns Vision, we monitor your child’s vision closely to make adjustments as needed, ensuring they receive the best care at every stage.

Take the first step in managing your child’s myopia. Call 865-247-7715 or visit us at 7686 Oak Ridge Highway, Knoxville, TN 37931 to schedule an eye exam today.