- Our Locations: Swan St Eye Centre - 03 9428 0402
- Dingley Eye Centre - 03 9551 4244
- Our Locations:
Swan St Eye Centre - 03 9428 0402 - Dingley Eye Centre - 03 9551 4244
As optometrists, we are seeing more children developing myopia (short-sightedness) at an earlier age than ever before. Myopia doesn’t just mean your child needs glasses; it’s a condition that can progress as the eyes grow, increasing the risk of long-term eye disease. Fortunately, modern eye care offers effective ways to slow its progression and help protect your child’s vision for life.
Myopia occurs when the eye grows slightly too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This leads to blurry distance vision, while close-up objects remain clear.
Traditionally, myopia began in the teenage years, but it’s now being diagnosed in children as young as five or six. Once it starts, it tends to worsen through the school years as the eyes continue to grow, which is why early detection and management are essential.
Myopia is much more than a refractive error that glasses can fix. As the eye elongates, it places stress on the retina and surrounding tissues, which can increase the risk of eye conditions such as:
The higher a child’s prescription becomes, the greater the long-term risk. By identifying myopia early and beginning a tailored management plan, we can slow its progression and help protect eye health into adulthood.
Children rarely complain about blurred vision because they assume what they see is normal. Parents and teachers are often the first to notice a problem. Common signs include:
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time for a comprehensive eye examination, not just a vision screening.
Myopia usually results from a mix of genetic and environmental factors. A child with one or both parents who are short-sighted is more likely to become myopic, but lifestyle plays an even bigger role.
Modern habits, such as increased screen use, long hours of near work and less time outdoors, are major contributors. Research consistently shows that spending less than 90 minutes per day outdoors increases the likelihood of developing myopia and accelerates its progression.
The goal of myopia management is not only to correct vision but also to slow the rate at which the eye continues to grow. At our practice, we tailor treatment to each child’s age, lifestyle and their prescription.
Ortho-K is one of the most effective and popular methods for myopia control. It involves specially designed rigid contact lenses worn overnight while sleeping, like retainers for your eyes. These lenses gently reshape the cornea so that vision is clear during the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Beyond this convenience, Ortho-K has been proven to slow eye growth and reduce the rate of myopia progression. It’s safe, non-surgical and reversible, making it an excellent option for active children or those who prefer to be lens-free during the day.
New lens designs such as MiyoSmart (by Hoya) are spectacle lenses that use small defocus segments across the lens to reduce the stimulus for eye elongation. These look and feel like normal glasses but provide the additional benefit of slowing myopia progression.
Soft contact lenses such as MiSight and Abiliti are worn during the day and have been clinically proven to reduce myopia progression in children. They are comfortable, safe and convenient for children who are ready for contact lens wear.
Low-dose atropine (typically 0.01–0.05%) is prescribed for nightly use and has been shown to slow myopia progression effectively. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as glasses or Ortho-K.
Emerging research has shown promising results for low-level red light therapy (LLRLT) in slowing myopia progression. This treatment involves children looking into a device that emits low-intensity red light for a few minutes twice daily.
Studies have found that regular use can reduce eye elongation and slow the worsening of myopia. The therapy is non-invasive, painless and easy to perform at home under supervision. While still relatively new, red light therapy is quickly gaining attention as a safe and effective addition to existing myopia management strategies.
Lifestyle changes make a real difference. Encourage your child to:
These habits support healthy eye development and complement all other myopia control treatments.
Even if your child seems to see well, annual eye exams are crucial. Myopia can progress rapidly, particularly during growth spurts, and subtle changes often go unnoticed. Regular monitoring allows us to adjust treatment as needed and ensure your child’s visual system is developing in a healthy way.
Myopia management is about more than providing glasses; it’s about preserving lifelong eye health. With early intervention and modern treatment options like Ortho-K, MiyoSmart lenses and low-dose atropine, we can help your child see clearly today and protect their eyes for tomorrow.
If you’ve noticed your child squinting, sitting too close to the TV, or struggling to see the board at school, it’s time for an eye test. Book with our Richmond or Dingley practice with ease today.
