“My son keeps squinting when he looks at the board — is that just bad eyesight, or is there something we can do about it?”
That question comes up in our consulting room more than almost any other. And it’s a really important one, because there’s a big difference between simply correcting your child’s vision and actually doing something to slow the progression of myopia.
Glasses and contact lenses help a child see clearly — but standard prescriptions don’t slow myopia down. If your child is diagnosed with myopia and nothing else is done, there’s a real chance their prescription will increase every six to twelve months through childhood and into their teens. The higher the prescription climbs, the greater the risk of serious eye health complications later in life, including retinal detachment and glaucoma.
That’s why myopia control treatment has become such a central part of what we do at Viewpoint Optical here in Hurstville.
So what does myopia control actually involve?
There are several evidence-based options, and the right choice depends on your child’s age, prescription, lifestyle, and how quickly their myopia has been progressing.
MiyoSmart lenses are one of the most popular options we recommend for younger children who aren’t ready for contact lenses. They look like ordinary spectacle lenses — because they are — but they use a technology called D.I.M.S. (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) to create a specific defocus signal around the central vision zone. Clinical studies have shown they can slow myopia progression by around 60% on average. Kids wear them all day, just like regular glasses, which makes compliance really easy.
For older children or teens — generally from around ten years old — orthokeratology, or ortho-k, is something we discuss a lot. These are custom-fitted rigid contact lenses worn overnight. While your child sleeps, the lenses gently reshape the cornea, giving clear unaided vision during the day. There’s no daytime lens wear at all. Beyond the convenience, there’s strong evidence that ortho-k slows myopia growth, making it one of the most effective treatment options available.
ACUVUE Abiliti 1-Day lenses are another option for children who are ready for daytime contact lens wear. They’re soft daily disposable lenses specifically designed for myopia management — so children get the freedom of contact lenses alongside the therapeutic benefit.
How do we decide what’s right for your child?
Honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. At a myopia control consultation, we go through your child’s prescription history, measure the axial length of the eye (not just the lens prescription — the actual physical growth of the eyeball), and talk through what’s practical for your family day-to-day. A child who plays sport all day probably has different needs to one who’s doing hours of homework on a screen each evening.
We also look at risk factors — family history is a big one. If both parents are myopic, the odds of a child developing progressive myopia are significantly higher, and starting control treatment earlier tends to produce better outcomes.
What about just getting glasses?
Glasses absolutely still have a place — for many children, the right spectacle lens with myopia control properties is the most practical and comfortable starting point. But single-vision lenses alone won’t slow progression. If your child’s prescription has increased at their last two or three visits, that’s usually a signal that a more active treatment approach is worth discussing.
The earlier you start, the more years of potential progression there are to influence. If your child has been diagnosed with myopia — or if you’re simply noticing more squinting, more trips to move closer to the TV, or complaints about not seeing the board — it’s worth coming in for a proper assessment.
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📍 Book a Myopia Control Assessment at Viewpoint Optical If you’re noticing signs of myopia in your child — squinting, sitting closer to the TV, or struggling at the board — don’t wait for the next annual check. We specialise in children’s myopia management right here in Hurstville, and we’ll take the time to properly explain your options. 📞 Call us on 02 8021 2298 | 📍 Viewpoint Optical, Hurstville |