The most common questions parents ask optometrists — answered by our clinical team
In most cases, yes — and this is completely normal. Myopia typically progresses fastest between ages 6-14 when children are growing rapidly. The average progression rate is approximately 0.50 dioptres per year, though some children progress faster, particularly if they have myopic parents. Without intervention, your child may end up with moderate to high myopia by adulthood, which carries elevated risks of serious eye conditions later in life.
No — and this is one of the most important things to understand. Standard single-vision glasses correct distance vision but do not slow myopia progression. In fact, under-correction (intentionally prescribing weaker glasses) was once thought to help but actually makes myopia progression worse. If your child has myopia, they need glasses that fully correct their prescription — but those glasses alone won't slow the eye's elongation.
However, there are specially designed lenses — called "defusion lenses" or "myopia control lenses" — that DO slow progression by approximately 30-60% compared to standard glasses. Ask your optometrist about MiYOSMART, Stellest, or similar lens technologies.
Based on current clinical evidence, the most effective single methods are:
Ortho-K lenses: 40-60% reduction in myopia progression. Worn overnight, completely glasses-free during the day. Ideal for active children.
Low-dose atropine eye drops: 50-60% reduction. Simple daily eye drops, often used in combination with other methods. Some children experience light sensitivity.
MiYOSMART/Stellest spectacle lenses: 30-60% reduction. No contact lenses needed — just special glasses. Excellent option for younger children or those not suited to contacts.
In practice, combination therapy (e.g., Ortho-K + low-dose atropine) often produces better results than any single method.
As early as possible. Research shows that earlier intervention produces better long-term outcomes — starting at age 7-8 when myopia first appears is far more effective than waiting until age 12. That said, there's value in myopia control at any age through teenage years, as the eyes are still developing.
Some optometrists begin monitoring children as young as 3-4 if there's a strong family history of myopia, even before myopia develops, to track for early signs.
Yes — and it's one of the simplest interventions available. Studies consistently show that children who spend more time outdoors have slower myopia progression. The likely mechanism is that bright outdoor light stimulates dopamine release in the retina, which appears to slow eye elongation.
The target is approximately 2 hours of outdoor time per day. This doesn't need to be structured exercise — just time spent outside. However, this alone won't stop progression in children who are already myopic; it should be combined with other interventions.
Screens are a contributing factor, but the relationship is more nuanced than "screens cause myopia." Near work — reading, tablets, homework, screens — is associated with faster myopia progression, particularly when done for extended periods without breaks. However, the underlying cause is genetic: children with myopic parents have a significantly higher risk regardless of their screen habits.
The practical advice: encourage outdoor time, enforce regular breaks during near work (the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds), and don't ban screens outright — just manage them sensibly.
Yes, when properly fitted and monitored by an experienced optometrist. The same technology is used in overnight orthokeratology for adults and has been practiced for over 20 years. The key safety considerations are:
• Excellent hygiene — washing hands before touching lenses
• Regular check-ups — at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, then every 3-6 months
• Appropriate lens care — proper cleaning, protein removal, case hygiene
• Prompt reporting — any eye redness, pain, or vision change should be reported immediately
The infection risk is comparable to any contact lens modality and is minimised with proper compliance. Millions of children worldwide wear Ortho-K safely.
This is something your optometrist monitors at every check-up. Warning signs that the prescription may have changed include: sitting closer to the TV, squinting to read the whiteboard at school, complaining of headaches after schoolwork, or seeming to struggle more than usual. However, many children don't notice or don't complain, which is why regular eye examinations — every 6 months for myopic children — are essential.
Myopia typically stabilises by late adolescence or early adulthood, around age 18-21. However, "stabilising" at -3.00D is very different from stabilising at -8.00D. The goal of myopia control is to reduce the final adult prescription — a lower final myopia means lower lifelong risk of conditions like retinal detachment, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
Yes. The lenses are portable and travel well. Pack the lenses, cleaning solution, and a clean storage case. At sleepovers, your child can insert lenses at their friend's house before bed — it's a normal part of the routine. Some families keep a spare lens set for travel. If your child forgets their lenses for one night, they'll likely have slightly blurred vision the next day but no lasting effect.
Our optometrist network can answer all your myopia control questions and assess your child for the best treatment option.
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