How Myopia Control Lenses Help Manage Childhood Myopia
Quick Summary for Parents
How They Work
Myopia control lenses use a specialized optical design to provide clear central vision while supporting myopia management.
Who May Benefit
They may be considered for children whose myopia is already present and continuing to progress.
What Parents Should Know
Consistent wear, an updated prescription, and regular eye exams remain important parts of a myopia management plan.
Educational guide only. Please follow guidance from your child’s eye care professional.
References reviewed: AAO, AOA, and International Myopia Institute.
As children spend more time using smartphones, TVs, and computers, vision problems have become a growing concern for parents. Myopia is now one of the most common vision issues affecting children and teenagers, making early attention and ongoing management increasingly important.
Among the available myopia management options, defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) lenses use a specialized optical design that may help support myopia management for suitable children.
Research shows that axial myopia, caused by excessive elongation of the eyeball, is the most common form of myopia in children and adolescents. Some myopia management lens designs use peripheral defocus principles to help support how light focuses in the eye. This principle is used in some myopia control lenses to support clearer central vision while helping manage peripheral focus.
The Difference Between Regular Myopia Lenses and Myopia Control Lenses
Left: Correction effect of regular lenses Right: Correction effect of myopia control lenses
Regular lenses are designed to correct central vision only. However, images focused on the peripheral retina tend to fall behind the retina, which can signal the eye to continue elongating. As the eyeball stretches, myopia gradually worsens. For this reason, regular myopia glasses can improve vision clarity, but they do not help control the progression of myopia.
Function
Regular SV Lens: Corrects vision for clear sight.
Myopia Control Lens: Clear vision plus myopia control.
Principle
Regular SV Lens: Corrects vision only in the central macula.
Myopia Control Lens: Corrects central vision while creating a “myopic defocus” signal in the peripheral retina.
Effect
Regular SV Lens: Cannot slow the progression of myopia.
Myopia Control Lens: May help support myopia management for suitable children when worn consistently and selected with professional guidance. Results can vary from child to child.
Long-Term Use
Regular SV Lens: —
Myopia Control Lens: When worn consistently, myopia control lenses may help support myopia management over time, but results can vary based on the child’s age, prescription, eye growth, wearing habits, and lens design.
How Myopia Control Glasses Work
Myopia control glasses use a specialized optical design to shift light focus from behind the retina to on or slightly in front of it. This approach corrects clear central vision while also addressing how light is focused on the peripheral retina. By helping manage peripheral focus, this lens design may support a broader myopia management plan for suitable children.
Central Optical Zone
Corrects nearsightedness to provide clear, everyday vision for school, reading, and daily activities.
Microstructure Zone
Creates a controlled myopic defocus effect in the peripheral area, which may help support myopia management for suitable children with myopia.
Closer Look at Myopia Control Lenses
First, let’s look at a normal eye, where light is focused correctly on the retina, allowing clear vision without corrective lenses. Then, we can compare how standard single-vision lenses and myopia control lenses affect peripheral focus.
Normal Eye
Light is properly focused on the retina, allowing clear vision without corrective lenses.
Standard Single-Vision Lens
Central light rays focus accurately on the retina, but peripheral light falls behind it. This design does not help control elongation of the eyeball.
Myopia Control Lens
Central light rays focus directly on the retina, while peripheral rays focus slightly in front of it. This creates a signal that encourages the eye to slow its forward growth while maintaining clear central vision.
The key principle behind myopia control glasses is their ability to adjust the focus of light on the peripheral retina, helping to regulate eye growth and slow the progression of myopia. They are especially suitable for children and adolescents with axial myopia, a common condition caused by excessive elongation of the eyeball.
Summary: How Myopia Control Lenses Help Slow Myopia
- Myopia control lenses work through a special design that creates myopic defocus on the peripheral retina. This signal helps reduce the cues that trigger eyeball elongation, effectively slowing the progression of myopia.
- The effectiveness can vary depending on the individual and their wearing habits, typically ranging from 30% to over 70%. Even this delay alone is highly valuable for managing childhood myopia.
Which Children May Benefit
Myopia control lenses are not suitable for every child. They are generally considered for children and adolescents who meet the following criteria:
Age
Typically recommended for children 3 years and older.
Prescription
Myopia usually up to –10.00 D and astigmatism up to –4.00 D.
Myopia Status
Primarily for children who already have myopia and are experiencing rapid progression. Children who are at the “pre-myopic” stage may also benefit from special plano defocus lenses to help prevent the onset of myopia.
Key Considerations for Myopia Control
When choosing myopia control lenses, keep these points in mind:
Effectiveness
Myopia control lenses can slow the progression of myopia, but they do not cure it.
Comprehensive Prevention
For the best results, lens use should be combined with healthy habits, such as at least 2 hours of outdoor activity daily, good eye care habits, and proper lighting.
Consistent Daily Wear
These lenses need to be worn consistently throughout the day. Wearing them only occasionally can significantly reduce their effectiveness.
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