Myopia Control

    What is Myopia Control?

    Myopia control is a group of evidence-based treatments designed to slow the progression of short-sightedness (myopia) in children. Although myopia cannot be cured or reversed, slowing its progression can help reduce the risk of developing high myopia and serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration, and cataracts.

    Myopia control may include low-dose atropine eye drops, specialised spectacle lenses, orthokeratology (Ortho-K), or specially designed soft contact lenses. The most appropriate treatment depends on your child’s age, prescription, rate of progression, eye health, and lifestyle. Early assessment provides the greatest opportunity to preserve long-term eye health.

    Atropine Eye Drops

    Atropine eye drops are given to slow down myopia progression in children. A 0.01% concentration of atropine is usually advised to be used at night. This eye drop works by relaxing the ciliary muscle in the eye which gives an effect to the brain to increase the release of dopamine. Dopamine prevents elongation of the eye and thus reducing the progression of myopia. Low-dose atropine for myopia is used for children between 5 and 18 years old. The drops are put in the eye each night at bedtime. Side effects may include redness or itchiness around the eye.

    Ortho-K Lenses

    Orthokeratology are special contact lenses that a child wears overnight to correct blurry vision during the day. It is used to flatten or steepen the curvature while sleeping, reshaping the cornea to get clearer vision during the day. Ortho-K lenses only improves your vision for a short time. Once a child stops wearing the lenses, the cornea goes back to its normal shape and myopia recurs. However, it does provide reduction in myopia progression.

    Myopia Control Glasses

    Bifocal or multifocal glasses are also prescribed to young children to prevent myopia progression. The top portion of the glasses allows for clear distant vision while the bottom portion contains reading power by reducing or eliminating the accommodative effort associated with myopia. Special spectacle lens design has also been developed which work similarly as Ortho-K lenses by causing peripheral blur and reducing the overgrowth of the eyeball. These spectacle design has shown to be more effective than bifocal or multifocal lens design in controlling childhood myopia progression.

    Which Myopia Control Treatment Is Right For My Child

    Choosing the most suitable myopia control treatment depends on several factors, including your child’s age, prescription, rate of myopia progression, eye health, ability to wear contact lenses, and daily activities.

    During a comprehensive assessment, your ophthalmologist or optometrist may evaluate:

    • Current spectacle prescription
    • Rate of prescription change
    • Axial eye length (when available)
    • Family history of high myopia
    • Lifestyle and outdoor activity
    • Suitability for contact lenses

    Based on these findings, a personalised myopia management plan can be recommended and adjusted over time as your child’s eyes continue to grow.

    Treatment Corrects vision Slows myopia progression Suitable for
    Standard spectacles ✓ ✗ All children
    Myopia control spectacle lenses ✓ ✓ Children who prefer glasses
    Low-dose atropine ✗ ✓ Progressive myopia
    Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) ✓ ✓ Active children who are suitable for contact lenses
    Soft myopia control contact lenses ✓ ✓ Older children comfortable with contact lenses

    Which doctor should my child see for myopia control?

    If your child’s short-sightedness (myopia) is increasing rapidly, they may benefit from a consultation with a Paediatric Ophthalmologist (children’s eye specialist) or an ophthalmologist experienced in myopia control. Early assessment can help determine the most suitable treatment to slow myopia progression and reduce the risk of developing high myopia later in life.

    Paediatric Ophthalmologists at OasisEye Specialists

    OasisEye Specialists provides dedicated paediatric ophthalmology services across Malaysia. Our fellowship-trained paediatric ophthalmologists diagnose and treat childhood myopia, myopia progression, lazy eye (amblyopia), squints (strabismus), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), paediatric cataracts, and paediatric glaucoma. Services are available at our Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Kuching centres through Dr Norazah Abdul Rahman, Dr Norhafizah Hamzah, and Dr Sunder Ramasamy.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Myopia control refers to treatments designed to slow the progression of short-sightedness (myopia) in children. While myopia cannot be reversed, slowing its progression may reduce the risk of developing high myopia and future eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration, and cataracts.

    Myopia control is most effective when started early, usually after a child is diagnosed with progressing myopia. Many children begin treatment between 6 and 12 years of age, although suitability depends on the child’s prescription, age, and rate of progression.Myopia control is most effective when started early, usually after a child is diagnosed with progressing myopia. Many children begin treatment between 6 and 12 years of age, although suitability depends on the child’s prescription, age, and rate of progression.

    No. Myopia control does not cure or reverse short-sightedness. Instead, it aims to slow the rate at which myopia worsens as a child grows.

    There is no single best treatment for every child. Depending on individual needs, effective options may include low-dose atropine eye drops, orthokeratology (Ortho-K), myopia control spectacle lenses, or soft contact lenses designed for myopia control. Your ophthalmologist or optometrist will recommend the most suitable option after a comprehensive eye examination.

    Yes. Most children continue to wear glasses or contact lenses to achieve clear vision. Myopia control treatments work alongside vision correction rather than replacing it.

    Low-dose atropine has been widely studied and is generally considered safe for slowing childhood myopia progression when prescribed and monitored by an eye specialist. Mild side effects such as light sensitivity or difficulty focusing up close may occur depending on the concentration used.

    Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, uses specially designed rigid contact lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. This allows children to see clearly during the day without glasses while also helping to slow myopia progression in suitable candidates.

    Screen time alone is unlikely to be the sole cause of myopia. However, prolonged near work combined with limited outdoor activity has been associated with an increased risk of developing and progressing myopia.

    Current evidence suggests children should spend at least two hours outdoors daily. Outdoor time may help reduce the risk of developing myopia and complements other myopia management strategies.

    Children undergoing myopia control usually require follow-up every 3 to 6 months to monitor vision, prescription changes, eye growth, and treatment effectiveness.

    No treatment can completely stop myopia progression in every child. However, many evidence-based treatments can significantly slow progression, helping reduce the likelihood of developing high myopia.

    For children with progressing myopia, early treatment may reduce the lifetime risk of serious eye diseases associated with high myopia. Your eye specialist can discuss the potential benefits and limitations based on your child’s individual risk profile.

    Yes. Children with one or both parents who are short-sighted have a higher risk of developing myopia. However, environmental factors such as prolonged near work and limited outdoor time also contribute.

    In selected cases, ophthalmologists may recommend combining treatments, such as low-dose atropine with myopia control spectacles or Ortho-K, depending on the child’s progression and clinical needs.