Myopia (nearsightedness) in children is increasing globally. As kids spend more time on screens and less time outside, the rate of myopia progression is rising—and with it, the risk of future eye problems. But there’s good news: advances in myopia management now offer evidence-based strategies to slow or even partially control its progression.
In this post, we’ll dive into the latest science-backed treatment options, lifestyle approaches, and what parents should know when considering myopia control.
Why Myopia Management Matters for Kids
- Long-Term Risks: Faster progression of myopia in childhood is linked to greater risk of eye diseases later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy. PubMed+2BioMed Central+2
- Quality of Vision: Controlling myopia early can reduce how strong a child’s glasses prescription becomes over time.
- Safety & Monitoring: Modern myopia control isn’t just about “slowing myopia”—it’s also about safe, monitored interventions.
Evidence-Based Myopia Control Treatments
Here are the main treatment strategies, supported by quality research:
1. Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
- What It Is: A very dilute form of atropine (often 0.01–0.05%) is instilled in the eye nightly to slow the elongation of the eyeball.
- Effectiveness: Meta-analyses show that low-dose atropine can reduce myopia progression significantly. PubMed
- Safety: Side effects are usually mild at low doses (e.g., light sensitivity, slight blurring at near). Myopia Institute -+1
- Best For: Children at high risk of rapid progression, or as a monotherapy or part of combination treatment. Review of Myopia Management+1
2. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
- What It Is: Rigid, gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight reshape the cornea temporarily so that the child can see clearly during the day without glasses.
- How It Helps Myopia: Ortho-K seems to slow eye growth by creating a defocus signal on the peripheral retina. PubMed+1
- Combination Therapy: Studies show that combining Ortho-K with low-dose atropine (e.g., 0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%) further reduces axial elongation in kids. PMC
- Safety: Research continues to monitor effects; a recent study reported good safety for Ortho-K + low-dose atropine over 12 months. BioMed Central
3. Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses
- What They Are: Soft contact lenses with different power zones (for near and distance) help to provide a “myopic defocus” signal to the peripheral retina, which may slow elongation.
- Evidence: Meta-analyses show these lenses can reduce myopia progression. PubMed
- Combination Findings: Interestingly, a long-term study (BAM Study) found that combining 0.01% atropine with multifocal soft contact lenses did not significantly improve control compared to the lenses alone. PubMed+1
- Safety & Comfort: Generally safe but require good handling and hygiene; kids need to be able to manage contact use.
4. Specialized Spectacle Lenses
- Types: Include defocus-incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) lenses, highly aspherical lenslets (HAL), and diffusion-optics technology (DOT). Review of Myopia Management+1
- Effectiveness: Evidence supports their use in slowing progression. PubMed
- Advantages: A good choice for children who aren’t ready for contact lenses or drops.
5. Emerging and Novel Therapies
- Red-Light Therapy: Low-level red-light treatment has shown promise in some studies, though more long-term data is still needed. PubMed
- Combination Approaches: Research is ongoing into combining optical methods (like DIMS lenses) with atropine for synergistic effects. Opus at UTS
Lifestyle & Behavioral Strategies (Non-Drug)
Medical interventions are powerful, but they work best alongside healthy habits:
- Increase Outdoor Time: Spending time outdoors (ideally ≥ 2 hours daily) is strongly associated with reduced myopia onset and slower progression. myopiaarabia.org
- Manage Near Work: Encourage frequent breaks during reading or screen use. Children should follow a “20-20-20” rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Regular Eye Exams: Monitor not just prescription changes, but also axial length (eye growth). This allows your eye care provider to tailor or adjust treatment if needed. myopiaarabia.org
Choosing the Right Myopia Control Strategy for Your Child
When making decisions, consider:
- Risk Factors
- Rapid progression or family history of high myopia? Interventions like atropine or Ortho-K may be more strongly indicated.
- Age & Lifestyle
- Very young or active kids: may do better with spectacle lenses or Ortho-K.
- Mature kids who can handle contacts: multifocal lenses or Ortho-K.
- Adherence & Comfort
- Can the child reliably use eye drops or handle contact lenses?
- Safety & Monitoring
- Choose a provider experienced in myopia management and who will monitor axial length and other safety parameters over time.
- Long-Term Plan
- Myopia control often needs to continue for several years; ask about tapering, combination therapies, and what happens when treatment stops.
Why Early Intervention Is Important
Delaying or slowing myopia progression isn’t just about giving kids “weaker glasses for longer” — it has real, long-term health benefits. By preventing or slowing excessive eye growth, myopia management can lower the risk of serious complications later in life, such as retinal detachment or macular degeneration. PubMed+1
Final Thoughts
Myopia in children doesn’t just affect how clearly they see—it can influence their eye health decades down the line. Fortunately, there are safe, evidence-based ways to slow its progression, including low-dose atropine, specialized contact lenses, and orthokeratology. Pairing these medical strategies with healthy habits like time outdoors and smart screen use gives kids the best chance for better, more stable vision.
If you’re a parent concerned about your child’s myopia, speak with a myopia-specialized optometrist or ophthalmologist. Ask about monitoring axial length, treatment options, and a long-term plan tailored to your child’s risk and lifestyle.
