With myopia affecting 25% of UK teens, early interventions like specialised glasses, contact lenses, and vision therapies can reduce progression by 40-60%. Daily outdoor time (2+ hours) helps prevent myopia, while treatment continues until eye growth stabilises in late teens.
Short-sightedness is rapidly increasing among British children. Current data shows that approximately 10% of UK children aged 10-12 and a concerning 25% of teenagers now have myopia. Eyelines Opticians has observed this trend firsthand during optometrist consultations. Myopia affects daily life by creating dependence on glasses or contacts and increasing the risk of more serious eye health issues later in life.
Myopia develops when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea curves too steeply, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This results in blurry distance vision while near objects remain clear. The condition typically begins in childhood and progresses throughout the growing years until stabilising in late adolescence. Childhood myopia often worsens more rapidly than adult-onset myopia, making early intervention crucial.
Traditional glasses and contact lenses correct central vision but may actually encourage the eye to continue growing longer. Modern myopia management techniques work differently by altering how light focuses on the peripheral retina. Specialised lenses create what's called "myopic defocus" in the peripheral vision while maintaining clear central vision. This sends different growth signals to the eye.
The primary goal of myopia management is to slow the elongation of the eyeball. When successful, these interventions can reduce myopia progression by 40-60% over treatment periods of 1-3 years. Most of this effect happens early in treatment, which is why starting as soon as myopia is detected yields the best results. This isn't about reversing existing myopia but preventing it from worsening as rapidly as it otherwise would.
Myopia management isn't a short-term solution. Treatment typically continues until the late teenage years when eye growth naturally stabilises. Parents should understand this is a long-term commitment that requires regular monitoring and potentially adjusting treatments as the child develops. Your optometrist will track both prescription changes and actual eye length measurements to assess effectiveness.
Myopia control glasses look virtually identical to standard prescription glasses but contain specialised lens designs that help manage myopia progression. These lenses are engineered to change how light focuses on the peripheral retina while maintaining clear central vision. For many families, these specialised glasses are the most straightforward first option because most children are already comfortable with wearing glasses.
Unlike traditional single-vision lenses that only correct central vision, myopia control glasses incorporate designs like peripheral defocus, aspheric lenses, or multiple focus zones. The risk profile of these glasses is similar to that of standard glasses, making them a safe option for children of all ages. They're particularly beneficial for younger children who might not be ready for contact lens wear.
Specially designed soft contact lenses for myopia control have multiple focus zones built into a single lens. These multifocal or dual-focus lenses provide clear central vision while creating myopic defocus in the peripheral vision to help slow eye growth. The soft, comfortable material makes them suitable for active children who might struggle with glasses during sports and other physical activities.
These lenses are typically worn during waking hours and removed at night. Research shows they can reduce myopia progression by approximately 40-50% compared to standard single-vision lenses. Children as young as 8 years old can successfully manage these lenses with proper instruction and parental supervision. The risks include mild discomfort and a low risk of eye infections if proper hygiene practices aren't followed.
Orthokeratology, often called Ortho-K, offers a unique approach to myopia management. These specially designed rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses are worn only during sleep. They gently reshape the cornea overnight, providing clear vision during the day without any corrective eyewear. Current research suggests Ortho-K lenses may be the most effective option for slowing eye growth, with studies showing approximately 50-60% reduction in myopia progression.
The reshaping effect is temporary and reversible, making this treatment highly controllable. Ortho-K is particularly popular among active children, teenagers involved in sports, and those who dislike wearing glasses during the day. However, these lenses do carry a slightly higher risk of complications because they're worn overnight when the eye is closed. Proper cleaning and care are essential to minimise the risk of infections.
Low-concentration atropine eye drops represent a non-optical approach to myopia management. Typically prescribed at concentrations of 0.01% to 0.05%, these drops work by affecting the biochemical pathways involved in eye growth. Clinical trials have shown that low-dose atropine can reduce myopia progression by approximately 30-50%, though the exact mechanism isn't fully understood.
The drops are usually administered once daily, often at bedtime, to minimise potential side effects like pupil dilation and light sensitivity. Because the concentration is so low, most children experience minimal or no side effects compared to the higher concentrations used for other eye conditions. Atropine eye drops may be used alone or in combination with optical treatments like specialised glasses or contact lenses for enhanced effectiveness.
When considering myopia management options, understanding the relative risks is essential. Myopia control glasses carry essentially the same risk profile as standard glasses, which is to say, very low risk. Contact lens options introduce additional considerations. Soft contact lenses for myopia control have a similar safety profile to standard soft contacts, with the primary risks being minor eye irritation and a low risk of infection if proper hygiene isn't maintained.
Orthokeratology lenses carry a slightly higher risk of complications since they're worn overnight when the eye is closed and has reduced oxygen access. The risk of serious corneal infections is higher with overnight wear compared to daily wear soft lenses. However, this risk remains relatively low with proper care and regular follow-up appointments.
There is no minimum age to begin myopia management, but practical considerations determine which options are appropriate at different ages. Specialised glasses can be prescribed for children of any age as soon as myopia is detected. For contact lens options, the child's maturity level and ability to handle and care for lenses are more important than chronological age.
Most practitioners find that children around 8-10 years old can successfully manage daily soft contact lenses with proper supervision. Orthokeratology typically requires slightly more maturity, with most children starting around age 9-12, though motivated younger children can succeed with adequate parental support. Low-dose atropine drops can be used at any age but require consistent administration by parents for younger children.
One of the most consistent findings in myopia research is the protective effect of outdoor time. Multiple studies have shown that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop myopia or experience slower progression if they already have it. Research suggests that natural light exposure of at least 2 hours per day may help prevent myopia onset.
The exact mechanism isn't fully understood, but theories include increased exposure to natural light intensity, reduced focusing demands compared to indoor activities, and the release of dopamine in the retina that may inhibit eye elongation. The protective effect appears to be from the light itself rather than physical activity, as indoor sports don't show the same benefit.
Encouraging children to spend time outdoors during daylight hours should be considered an essential component of any myopia management strategy. This simple lifestyle modification costs nothing and provides numerous other health benefits beyond eye health.
The relationship between screen time and myopia is complex. While prolonged near work (including screen use) hasn't been definitively proven to cause myopia, there is evidence suggesting that extended periods of close-up focus may contribute to its development and progression. Digital devices often involve even closer working distances than traditional reading materials.
Implementing the 20-20-20 rule can help reduce eye strain: every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Additionally, ensuring proper working distances (at least 30-40cm for handheld devices and 50-70cm for computers) and taking regular breaks from screen time can help minimise potential negative impacts.
It's worth noting that reducing screen time alone has not been shown to significantly slow myopia progression once it has developed, which is why additional interventions like specialised eyewear or atropine are typically needed for established myopia.
Early detection of myopia is crucial for effective management. Regular comprehensive eye examinations, particularly for children with risk factors such as myopic parents, can help identify myopia at its earliest stages when intervention may be most effective. Most eye care professionals recommend annual examinations for school-aged children, with more frequent monitoring once myopia is detected.
During these examinations, specialised equipment can measure not just the prescription but also the physical length of the eye, which is a more precise way to monitor myopia progression. These measurements provide valuable data to assess treatment effectiveness and guide adjustments to the management plan.
Myopia management treatments are currently not funded by the NHS in any part of the UK. This means that all specialised myopia control options are available only through private eye care providers. The cost varies depending on the specific treatment option and provider.
Myopia control glasses typically cost more than standard prescription glasses, with prices varying based on the lens technology and frame selection. Soft contact lenses for myopia control usually involve monthly or annual costs, including both the lenses themselves and professional fitting and follow-up care. Orthokeratology represents a higher initial investment for the fitting process, lenses, and follow-up care in the first year, with lower annual costs thereafter for replacement lenses and monitoring.
Low-dose atropine drops are another cost consideration, as they often need to be specially formulated by compounding pharmacies. Many eye care providers offer payment plans to make these treatments more accessible. Additionally, some private health insurance plans may provide partial coverage for certain myopia management options, though coverage varies significantly between insurers.
The potential long-term benefits of myopia management extend far beyond simply reducing dependence on stronger glasses.
While it cannot be yet predicted with certainty how much myopia progression will be slowed for any individual child, the cumulative evidence strongly suggests that myopia management interventions performed by professionals such as Eyelines Opticians offer significant potential benefits that extend throughout life.
