What is myopia control, and how does it work?

Myopia control refers to the ways optometrists and parents can help slow down the progression of myopia in children. Slowing myopia progression does much more than keep a child’s short-sightedness from getting worse. Myopia control can be key in reducing their risk of serious eye conditions later in life.

The four main categories of myopia control prescribed by optometrists are: 

• Myopia control glasses

• Myopia control contact lenses

• Orthokeratology (ortho-k)

• Atropine eye drops 

Adjusting daily habits can also help to reduce the risk for the development and progression of myopia:

• Spending more time outdoors

• Reducing near-work activity and taking more vision breaks 

Progressive myopia is short-sightedness that continually gets worse. This can eventually lead to high myopia, or severe myopia. Having high myopia greatly increases a person’s risk for vision-threatening complications, including:

• Myopic macular degeneration

• Glaucoma

• Cataracts

• Retinal detachment

• Pathological myopia

Myopia control methods can help to reduce the risk of these complications.

Myopia control glasses

Myopia control glasses work by slowing down the axial growth of the eyes — 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 they can’t slow its progression. Studies have shown that new designs of myopia control spectacle lenses can slow progression by at least 60 percent.

Multifocal glasses

Multifocal lenses are commonly worn by adults who have presbyopia, however, they can also have a very mild slowing effect on myopia progression. 

Studies have found while multifocal lenses slow myopia progression a little, it is not clinically significant so the patient will notice little difference in the rate of increase of their myopia.

Myopia control contact lenses

Myopia control contact lenses work similarly to myopia control glasses. They control myopia by slowing the axial growth of the eyes.

Clinical trials for these lenses found a 59 percent reduction in the participants’ myopia progression.

Multifocal contacts

Multifocal contact lenses are designed for people with both presbyopia and another distance refractive error. But they can also help slow myopia progression, they are more effective than multifocal glasses. Multifocal contact lenses can slow progression by up to 50 percent in some children. 

Orthokeratology (ortho-k)

Ortho-k is another common vision correction method that can also slow the progression of myopia.

Research has shown that ortho-k can reduce axial growth of the eye by up to 43 percent compared to traditional glasses. 

Atropine eye drops

The most common use for atropine eye drops is treating inflammatory eye conditions. They work by temporarily paralysing the focusing muscles in the eyes and dilating the pupils.

There is evidence that atropine eye drops are also one of the most effective ways to control myopia. Studies have shown that atropine use can reduce myopia progression by up to 77 percent. 

Healthy habits for eyes 

Lifestyle factors can also play a large role in the development and progression of myopia.

Studies have shown that spending more time outside in the sun reduces the risk of developing myopia. And prolonged near-work activity has been linked to increased myopia risk.

Parents can help reduce their children’s risk by introducing some simple changes: 

• Encourage at least 90 minutes of outdoor time per day.

• Encourage using the 20-20-20 rule during prolonged near work.

• Limit screen time outside of school.

To learn more about short-sightedness and myopia control, schedule an eye exam with an optometrist near you.

Beth Longware Duff also contributed to this article.

Page published on Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Page updated on Friday, 4 August 2023

Medically reviewed on Tuesday, 5 July 2022