Here’s Why Families Choose Dr. Lichtenstein for Myopia Care

Parents choose The Pediatric Eye Center for kids' myopia management in Queens and Nassau County for the following reasons:

We Lead With Medical Expertise

Dr. Eric Lichtenstein is one of the most experienced pediatric eye surgeons in New York, with over 25 years of hands-on care.

We Treat Your Child Like Our Own

From toddlers to teens, we meet kids where they are—with warmth, patience, and care that grows with them.

We Value Honesty Over Hype

No scare tactics, no upselling—just clear answers, backed by real data and decades of experience.

We Focus on What Matters Most

Long-term outcomes, not quick prescriptions. Real relationships, not rushed appointments. A plan that evolves with your child’s needs.

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What Is Myopia—And Why Does It Matter?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, means your child can see up close but has trouble seeing things far away. It’s increasingly common, especially in school-aged children, and developing earlier than ever. While glasses or contact lenses can correct the blur, they don’t address the root issue: the eye is physically growing too long. Over time, excessive eye growth increases the risk of more serious problems, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, early cataracts, and myopic macular degeneration.

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How Myopia Progresses in Kids

In a normal eye, growth is rapid before the age of 2 and then slows considerably.  But for children with myopia, especially those under 10, growth can be rapid and aggressive. Eyes that are abnormally elongated are at increased risk of vision-threatening diseases during adulthood.

That’s why early intervention is so important. If you’re seeking pediatric myopia management we’re here to help you understand your child’s changing vision—and what you can do to decrease their risk.

Myopia isn’t just a vision problem—it’s a long-term eye health concern. Slowing that growth early on can make a meaningful difference later in life.


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What is Myopia Management?

Myopia management is a comprehensive eye and vision care approach to myopia and pre-myopia that includes prevention, myopia risk assessment, early detection through screening, appropriate correction, lifestyle recommendations, interventions to reduce myopia progression and axial elongation, monitoring of refraction and axial length, and management of emerging myopia-related complications.

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The goal of myopia management is to:

  • Lower the risk of long-term complications like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration
  • Reduce how quickly the prescription changes from year to year

Who Is Myopia Management For?

Myopia management is designed for children whose nearsightedness is:

  • Beginning earlier than is typical (before age 8–9)
  • Progressing rapidly year over year
  • Often associated with a strong family history of high myopia

Early intervention is key. The younger the child, the faster their eyes may be growing—and the more opportunity we have to slow things down. If your child’s glasses prescription increases every visit, this program could be the right fit.

Not All Myopia Management Is Created Equal

Many programs offered through optical shops or retail clinics are built around selling lenses or drops, with little clinical oversight, minimal diagnostics, and a one-size-fits-all approach.

At The Pediatric Eye Center, we do things differently.

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I love how he treated the kids like it's their appointment and not the parents’.

Dr. E. is the sweetest and kindest pediatric ophthalmologist I've ever met.

... an excellent eye doctor, incredibly friendly and patient with my little one, making the entire visit smooth and stress-free.

Dr. Lichtenstein is the best! He’s funny, kind, and really knows his craft.

The best doctor I have ever seen.

The best doctor solved my son’s problem with patience and care.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Eric A. Lichtenstein for the exceptional care provided...

...I have nothing but kind things to say.

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Myopia Procedure | The Pediatric Eye Center

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Here’s What Sets Our Program Apart as Among the Best Pediatric Myopia Treatment in Queens and Nassau County

Our Myopia Management Program is led by Dr. Eric Lichtenstein, a board-certified, fellowship-trained pediatric ophthalmologist with over 25 years of experience. As a physician, he brings advanced medical training, diagnostic skill, and surgical insight to every child’s care plan.

Bespoke, Physician-Led Care

Dr. Lichtenstein’s approach isn’t about selling lenses or eyedrops—it’s a specialized, physician-led service that combines deep clinical experience with advanced diagnostics and truly personalized care. Every recommendation is grounded in medical insight, long-term thinking, and what’s genuinely best for your child.

Support That Grows With Your Child

This is not a one-time service or product; it’s a long-term partnership with one of the most experienced pediatric eye surgeons in the region who is invested in your child’s future. When families in Queens and Nassau County choose our program for pediatric myopia management, they know they’re gaining a trusted guide through every stage of their child’s visual development.

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“I always will pick this office for my son! Dr. Eric L. was very knowledgeable, took his time, and explained my son’s eye progression in detail. Also made my son laugh and had a great, friendly, and professional way that I look for in a doctor.”

M. Clark

Myopia Management Program Overview

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  • Comprehensive diagnostic eye exam with cycloplegic refraction every 12 months
  • Optical biometry and keratometry to determine the cause of myopia (axial or corneal), detect early stages of keratoconus, and establish baseline axial eye length
  • Analysis of your child's unique findings using clinical judgement in combination with an AI powered multi-ethnic database with over 1,000,000 data points
  • Personalized treatment planning 
  • 6 month visits which includes refraction, updated glasses and/or contact lens prescription, optical biometry, analysis of treatment efficacy, and plan for the next 6 months
  •  All necessary eyedrops and lenses
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Choose a Doctor Who Understands Kids—and Parents

Dr. Lichtenstein isn’t just a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist. He’s also a father and a natural connector. Whether your child is six months or sixteen, he knows how to meet them where they are—with warmth, wit, and confidence that helps everyone feel at ease. He takes time to answer questions, explain options, and build trust with families who’ve often felt rushed or dismissed elsewhere.

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Early Intervention Matters Myopia Management for Children in Queens, Nassau and the Tri-State Area

We know it’s hard to make long-term decisions about a child’s vision, especially when they’re young and still growing. But acting now can help prevent more serious complications down the road.

  • Axial eye growth can be tracked and managed.
  • Early action gives us the best shot at lasting impact.
  • Even a slight reduction in eye growth now can lower your child’s risk of significant problems in adulthood.
  • And unlike most myopia management programs in the area, ours is designed and led by a pediatric ophthalmologist, not a retail provider.

Tailored Eye Care Options for Every Family

At our pediatric ophthalmology practice, we offer two complementary service models—each designed to meet the unique needs of your family. Whether you choose a private-pay or insurance-based route, you'll experience the same compassionate, expert-driven care that sets us apart.

The Pediatric Eye Center Private Pay + Concierge-Level Services

 For families not using insurance—or for those seeking services beyond standard coverage—we offer a direct-pay division led by Dr. Lichtenstein. This model includes individualized plans and access to advanced offerings like myopia management, ensuring your child receives care based on need, not limitations.

Pediatric Eye MD Care Within Your Insurance Network

This division supports families who prefer to use their insurance. We partner with many major plans to help reduce out-of-pocket costs for routine exams, diagnostics, and follow-ups. With this option, your child still benefits from our pediatric expertise in a more traditional insurance-supported setting.

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FAQ Myopia Management

Is myopia management safe for young children?

Yes. Our treatments have been studied extensively and are considered safe and well-tolerated in children. Each plan is tailored to your child’s age, health, and comfort level.

Can glasses or contacts stop myopia from getting worse?

No. Standard glasses and contacts correct blurry vision, but they don’t stop the eye from growing. That’s why myopia management focuses on slowing the progression, not just fixing the symptoms.

How do we know if the treatment is working?

We use optical biometry and refraction to track your child’s eye growth over time. By tracking these critical data, we can see how the eye is growing —and whether the treatment is slowing that growth as expected. You will receive a detailed, easy to understand copy of your child's progress report at each visit.

Will my child still need glasses?

Yes. Myopia management doesn’t eliminate the need for vision correction, but it often slows the rate of prescription change. Kids continue wearing glasses or contacts during treatment, but typically with less frequent updates.

Does insurance cover myopia treatment?

Most myopia management programs—including ours—are not covered by insurance. However, our all-inclusive annual fee includes diagnostic testing, physician consultations, the actual eyedrops and/or specialized contact lenses, and all necessary follow-up monitoring and management.

How often will we need to come in?

After your initial consultation, we typically see patients every 6 months to track progress and adjust the plan as needed. If additional visits are warranted, it is included in the annual fee and we’ll let you know well in advance— keeping everything as simple and convenient as possible.

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A Note to Parents

We know how overwhelming it can feel to manage your child’s health, especially when the issue is unfamiliar or the guidance unclear.

That’s why we’re here: to give you clarity, to walk you through the options, and to offer real, data-driven solutions that you can feel good about.

We won’t overpromise. We won’t push products. We’ll treat your child like one of our own—and offer the kind of care we’d want for our own families.

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If you’re seeing your child’s prescription go up year after year—or if your pediatrician has raised concerns—let’s talk. Myopia management isn’t about reacting; it’s about getting ahead of it.

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