What is Myopia Control?

Myopia control refers to a group of methods that eye care professionals use to slow the progression of myopia in children. There is no cure for myopia, but there are ways to control the rate at which it develops or worsens. These methods include myopia control contact lenses and glasses, atropine eye drops, and lifestyle changes.

Why Should You Care About Myopia Control?

Slowing down the progression of myopia can help your child avoid high myopia. High myopia can lead to serious vision-threatening complications later in life, such as:

1. Myopic macular degeneration

2. Cataracts, including posterior subcapsular and nuclear cataracts

3. Primary open-angle glaucoma

4. Retinal detachment

Myopia management includes all eye care services that a person with myopia may need, from childhood diagnosis to managing adult complications. Myopia control is an important part of myopia management.

How Does Myopia Control Work?

Myopia control lenses work by slowing the axial elongation of the eye — the main cause of progressive myopia. They focus light onto the retina in a way that signals the brain to slow this growth.

Traditional single-vision glasses can correct myopia but do not slow its progression. Studies have shown that newer myopia control lens designs can slow progression by at least 60%.

Myopia Control Glasses

Over the past 8 to 10 years, there have been many studies and advances in myopia control lens designs. Research shows these new designs can reduce myopia progression by more than 60%.

Myopia control glasses work similarly to myopia control contact lenses. They can slow eye elongation by creating peripheral myopic defocus.

Fortunately, Essilor’s Stellest lenses and Hoya’s MiYOSMART lenses are among the leading products. Stellest received FDA Breakthrough Device designation in 2021.

1. Stellest uses HALT technology (High Aspherical Lens Target) to create myopic defocus.

2. MiYOSMART uses DIMS technology (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) to create the myopic defocus effect.

Some doctors also use standard multifocal lenses to help slow myopia progression. These may be effective but generally do not slow progression as much as dedicated myopia control lenses.