Myopia is on the rise—and it’s starting younger than ever.
Up to 40% of children in developed countries could benefit from early, active myopia control. Without intervention, many face an increased risk of high myopia and serious eye health complications later in life.
The key? Early detection and intervention.
One of the most effective, non-invasive tools available today is myopia control lenses—in both spectacle and contact lens formats. These lenses use peripheral defocus technology to slow down myopia progression and help protect long-term vision.
And the good news?
These options are now widely available through high street opticians, making access easier than ever for families.
They are not just correcting vision, they’re helping to preserve it for the future.
Myopia in children is no longer just about needing glasses—it’s a long-term eye health issue. Today, myopia (short-sightedness) is one of the most common and fastest-growing childhood visual conditions globally. Left unmanaged, progressive myopia increases the risk of serious eye diseases later in life—such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy.
The good news?
We now have clinically proven ways to slow the progression of myopia in children, using advanced contact lenses and spectacle lenses that do more than just correct vision.
How Do These Lenses Work?
Modern myopia control lenses use peripheral defocus optics to send signals to the eye that slow down excessive growth (axial elongation), a key driver of myopia progression. There are two main options:
Myopia Control Contact Lenses
Examples:
- MiSight® 1 day (CooperVision – FDA-approved)
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses worn overnight
Efficacy:
Clinical trials show that these lenses can reduce myopia progression by up to 59–60% in children compared to standard single-vision lenses.
Myopia Control Spectacle Lenses
Examples
- MiyoSmart® (HOYA) – D.I.M.S. technology
- Stellest™ (Essilor) – H.A.L.T. lenslet array
Efficacy:
Studies have shown up to 67% reduction in myopia progression over two years, along with significant reductions in axial eye growth.
What this matters
Without intervention, a child with mild myopia (-1.00D at age 7) could progress to -5.00D or more by their late teens—a level that increases the lifetime risk of retinal complications tenfold or more.
But with myopia control lenses: That child’s projected prescription might stay around -2.00D or less That’s a 60–70% reduction in potential disease risk and visual impairment
Accessible Solutions:
Best of all, these lenses are now widely available through high street opticians, making it easier for families to access proven, preventative care.
We’re not just helping children see better today, we’re protecting their vision for the future. If you're a parent, clinician, or educator, now is the time to start the conversation about myopia control. Early detection makes a world of difference.