Myopia control: how to slow down short-sightedness in children and teenagers

Myopia, or short‑sightedness, is rising rapidly among children and young people. The good news is that modern eye care now offers several clinically proven ways to slow its progression. In this article, senior consultant optometrist Mr Shakeel Puri explores what myopia is, why it develops, and the latest evidence‑based treatments designed to keep young eyes healthier for longer.

What is myopia?

Myopia, or short-sightedness, is a common condition where distant objects appear blurry, while close-up vision remains clear. It typically begins in childhood and tends to progress during the teenage years.

Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long, or the cornea (the front surface of the eye) is too curved. As a result, light focuses in front of the retina rather than directly on it, leading to blurred distance vision.

Why is myopia becoming more common?

Childhood myopia has become more prevalent in recent decades. Studies suggest that nearly 30% of UK teenagers are now myopic, compared to around 10% in the 1960s.

While genetics can increase the risk (especially if one or both parents are myopic), environmental and lifestyle factors play a significant role in its development and progression.

Contributing factors include:

• Excessive near work (such as reading, using smartphones or tablets)
• Limited exposure to daylight
• Lack of time spent focusing on distant objects

Encouraging children to spend at least 90 minutes outdoors daily has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing myopia and slow its progression in those who are already short-sighted.

What is myopia control?

Myopia control refers to a range of treatments designed to slow the progression of short-sightedness during childhood and adolescence.

While these methods do not reverse myopia, they can significantly reduce how quickly it worsens, helping to preserve long-term eye health.

Why is myopia management important?

Although glasses and contact lenses can correct vision, they do not stop myopia from worsening. Progressive myopia increases the risk of developing serious eye diseases later in life, including:

The higher the degree of myopia, the greater the long-term risk. That’s why managing myopia progression early is so important.

• Retinal detachment
• Glaucoma
• Myopic macular degeneration (damage to the central retina)
• Cataracts

What treatments are available for myopia management?

Myopia is increasingly common among children, but with early diagnosis and the right treatment, its progression can be effectively slowed. Myopia control not only protects a child’s vision today but helps safeguard their eye health in the future.

Correct

The Single Vision Zone, carrying the prescription of the wearer, brings sharp vision by perfectly focusing light on the retina. The lens design ensures a large prescription zone. This guarantees good visual acuity and comfort for the wearer.

Control

Myopia control lenses a step further to help control myopia by creating a unique technology tailored to the myopic eye: the H.A.L.T  technology (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target). The constellation of 1021 lenslets spread on 11 rings was designed to create for the first time a volume of signal that slows down the elongation of the eye.

There are several clinically proven options to help manage myopia progression. Your optometrist will advise on the most appropriate treatment based on your child’s vision, age, and lifestyle.

1. Myopia control glasses

These lenses look like ordinary glasses but use specially designed optics that reduce eye strain and slow eye growth. They are safe, comfortable, and suitable for everyday wear.

• Myopia control lenses slow down myopia progression by 67% on average, compared to standard single-vision lenses, when worn 12 hours a day.
• With Myopia control lenses lenses, 2 out of 3 children who wore these lenses have had a stable need for vision correction after the first year.
• For children, vision is as clear as with Single Vision lenses.
• 90% of children are fully adapted within three days.
• 100% of children are fully adapted within a week.
• 94% of children feel comfortable with Stellest™ lenses.

2. Myopia control contact lenses

There are two main types:

• Soft daily disposable lenses: these use a special optical design to slow myopia progression while correcting vision.
• Orthokeratology (ortho-k): these rigid lenses are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. They provide clear vision during the day without glasses or contact lenses.

3. Low-dose atropine eye drops

Atropine drops in very low concentrations (usually between 0.01% and 0.05%) may be used once daily at bedtime. They slow the elongation of the eyeball and have minimal side effects.

Regular monitoring by an eye care professional is essential.

What can parents do at home?

Alongside professional treatment, simple lifestyle changes can support healthy visual development:

• Regular breaks from screens and close-up work (follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds)
• Outdoor activities and natural light exposure
• Regular eye tests (at least once a year) to monitor changes and adjust treatment if needed

ng, this volume of the signal allows for keeping the eye elongation process in check.

If your child is becoming short-sighted or has a family history of myopia, consult with Mr Puri Book Online understand the best options available.