Myopia management for children.
Slowing Short-Sightedness, Protecting Long-Term Vision
Helping Your Child See Clearly, Now and Into the Future.
Short-sightedness is becoming increasingly common in children. Our evidence-based myopia management options can help slow the progression of myopia and support long-term eye health.
Myopia is a refractive error where distance vision becomes blurry as the eyes grow. It usually first develops in childhood and can become more pronounced through the school years.
Signs your child may need an eye test include:
Difficulty seeing the board at school
Frequent squinting
Holding books or screens very close
Complaints of headaches or eye strain
Rates of childhood myopia are rising worldwide, including here in Australia, making early detection and proactive management more important than ever for long-term eye health.
Our optometrists can assess your child’s risk and recommend a personalised, evidence-based myopia control plan — from specialised lenses to simple lifestyle changes.
Why Myopia Control Matters
Myopia is more than just needing glasses. Higher levels of myopia can increase the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, so controlling its progression during childhood is important for lifelong eye health.
A Rapidly Growing Concern
Myopia rates are rising worldwide, including among Australian children, making early detection and management more important than ever.
More Than Just Blurry Vision
Myopia control addresses the underlying growth of the eye, not just prescription strength — helping protect your child's eyes as they develop, not only their sight today.
Reduces Long-Term Risk
Slowing myopia progression during childhood helps lower the future risk of complications such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration, and early cataracts.
Early Intervention Is Most Effective
The earlier myopia is detected and managed, the better the outcomes — making regular eye examinations essential for school-aged children.
Risk Factors for Myopia
Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing or progressing myopia:
Genetics
Children with one or both parents who are myopic are at higher risk.
Near Work and Screen Time
Prolonged reading, device use, and close-up tasks may contribute to myopia development and progression.
Limited Outdoor Time
Reduced exposure to natural outdoor light has been strongly linked to increased myopia risk in children.
Early onset
The earlier myopia begins, the more likely it is to progress to higher levels.
Education and Lifestyle Demands
Intensive study and prolonged near work can increase visual strain during childhood development.
Myopia Control Options
Evidence-Based Ways to Slow Myopia Progression
Modern optometry offers several proven strategies to help slow the progression of myopia in children. Our optometrists can help determine which option best suits your child’s needs.
Myopia Control Spectacle Lenses
Specially designed spectacle lenses can reduce the rate of eye growth by altering how light focuses on the retina.
These lenses are:
Easy to use
Suitable for children
Effective for daily wear
Myopia Control Contact Lenses
Soft contact lenses designed for myopia management help slow progression while providing clear vision.
Options include:
Daily disposable lenses
Multifocal soft contact lenses
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Orthokeratology involves wearing specially designed rigid contact lenses overnight to gently reshape the cornea.
Benefits include:
Clear vision during the day without glasses or contacts
Proven myopia control effectiveness
Ideal for active children and teenagers
Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine drops may be prescribed to slow myopia progression in children.
They are:
Used nightly
Well-tolerated at low concentrations
Often combined with other treatments
Lifestyle Recommendations
Evidence also supports simple lifestyle changes:
Increase outdoor time (at least 1–2 hours daily)
Take regular breaks from near work (20-20-20 rule)
Maintain good reading posture and lighting
Ready to See Clearly?
Reach Out Today.
We Accept All Major Health Funds
