If your child was recently prescribed glasses for short-sightedness, your optometrist probably explained that the glasses will help them see the board clearly. What they may not have mentioned is that standard glasses do nothing to slow the underlying condition. Every year, the eye continues to grow longer, the prescription climbs, and the long-term risks quietly accumulate. That's the difference between correcting myopia and controlling it, and it's one of the most important distinctions in modern optometry.
At Prime Optometrists Auburn, myopia management is one of our core clinical specialties. If your child has been diagnosed with short-sightedness, this article explains what your options are, why they matter, and when to start.
The Difference Between Correcting and Controlling Myopia
Standard glasses and regular contact lenses are optical corrections, they bend light so that the image lands on the retina. They give your child clear vision, but they don't address the biological process driving myopia: the gradual, year-on-year lengthening of the eyeball itself.
Myopia control refers to therapies specifically designed to slow the rate of axial eye growth, meaning the eye doesn't get as long as it otherwise would. The prescription still needs to be corrected, but the rate at which it worsens is significantly reduced.
Think of it this way: glasses treat the symptom; myopia control treats the progression.
Why Myopia Progression Matters More Than You Think
Many parents assume that a worsening prescription is just a minor inconvenience. But the stakes are considerably higher. A prescription of -1.00D is mild. At -6.00D or above, a person is classified as having high myopia, and the risks are serious:
- Retinal detachment: 5–6 times more likely than in a person with no myopia
- Glaucoma: significantly elevated lifetime risk
- Myopic macular degeneration: a leading cause of irreversible vision loss
- Cataracts: developing earlier and progressing faster
There is also a strong genetic component. If one parent has myopia, their child has roughly a 50% chance of developing it. If both parents are myopic, that rises to approximately 75%. See our article on myopia in children for the signs to watch for at home.
What Is Myopia Control?
Myopia control refers to a group of clinically proven treatments that reduce the rate at which a child's myopia progresses. These therapies work through various mechanisms, some reshape the cornea, others use optical defocus signals on the peripheral retina, and others work pharmacologically to slow eye growth. The goal is to keep the final prescription as low as possible, reducing lifetime burden and risk.
“The best time to start myopia control is before the prescription climbs high. Every dioptre we prevent is a lifetime of reduced risk for that child.”
, Dr Zobaida Tahiri, Optometrist Auburn
The Four Main Myopia Control Treatments
MiSight Daily Contact Lenses
FDA-approved daily disposable lenses designed for children aged 8–15. They correct vision while simultaneously creating peripheral defocus signals that inhibit axial eye growth. Clinical trials showed MiSight reduced progression by an average of 59% compared to standard lenses.
Book a myopia consultation at our Auburn clinic to find out whether your child is a suitable candidate.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
Low-dose atropine drops (0.01–0.05%) applied nightly slow myopia progression pharmacologically. At these concentrations, side effects are minimal. As a therapeutically endorsed optometrist, Dr Tahiri can prescribe atropine directly, something a standard optometrist cannot do. Atropine is often used in combination with other myopia control strategies for children with rapid progression.
Myopia Control Spectacle Lenses
Purpose-designed lenses such as Stellest (Essilor) and MyoSmart (Hoya) use peripheral defocus technology built invisibly into the optics. Clinical data shows approximately 60% reduction in myopia progression compared to standard single-vision lenses. An excellent first-line option for younger children not yet ready for contact lenses.
When Should You Start?
The earlier, the better. Myopia control is most effective when started before the prescription reaches -3.00D. We recommend children with myopia, or at high risk due to family history, have their eyes assessed every 6 months to monitor progression and adjust treatment as needed.
What About Lifestyle Changes?
- Outdoor time: 90 minutes of outdoor time per day significantly reduces myopia risk. Bright natural light stimulates dopamine release in the retina, thought to inhibit axial eye growth.
- The 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes of near work, look at something 6 metres away for 20 seconds to reduce accommodative fatigue.
- Screen distance: Hold devices at arm's length. Closer working distances are associated with greater myopia progression.
Lifestyle changes work best as a complement to clinical treatment, not a replacement for it.
Book a Myopia Control Consultation in Auburn
Prime Optometrists is located in Auburn NSW 2144, serving families from Lidcombe, Berala, Granville, Parramatta, and Merrylands. Dr Zobaida Tahiri has specific clinical expertise in myopia management and can guide you through every treatment option available.
Myopia control treatment is not covered by Medicare, but some health funds provide rebates on contact lens fittings and supply, ask us about your specific cover when you come in. The initial eye examination is bulk billed under Medicare.
Book your myopia control consultation today, don't wait until the prescription is high.