Slow the eye's growth, not just the blur.
Short-sightedness in children comes from the eye growing too long. Glasses correct the blur but don't slow the growth. Myopia control aims to keep the eye shorter, for clearer vision now and healthier eyes later in life.
Read the in-depth series →- For
- Children and teens whose prescription is increasing
- Measured by
- Eye length and prescription, about every 6 months
- Options
- Myopia control glasses, contact lenses, ortho-K, low-dose atropine
- Also helps
- Time outdoors in daylight
Who it helps
Newly short-sighted children
The earlier growth is slowed, the more length is saved by adulthood.
Prescriptions rising each year
When every check-up brings stronger glasses.
Children of short-sighted parents
A higher risk. We can track the eye's length before myopia starts.
Why the eye's length matters
Side view and growth chart, five stepsLight lands on the retina.
Eye not to scale. Growth curves are illustrative, not a prediction for any child.
What the assessment involves
Sequence / 04History
Family history, screen time, and time spent outdoors.
Measurement
The prescription, with relaxing drops, and the eye's length.
Options
Glasses, contact lenses, ortho-K or atropine, matched to age and lifestyle.
Review
About every 6 months, plotted against growth charts.
Want the detail? Read the full myopia control series
In depth · 06 partsSix short, illustrated parts on why eyes grow, how each treatment works, and how we tailor it for Perth children.
Myopia control: slowing how fast the eye grows
Why short-sightedness is an eye-length problem.
Read →Part 02Why does the eye keep growing?
Blur, contrast, the choroid and the sclera.
Read →Part 03Treatments, part 1: drops and light
Low-dose atropine, red light and time outdoors.
Read →Part 04Treatments, part 2: lenses
Ortho-K, myopia control glasses and soft lenses.
Read →Part 05Myopia control, the Perth way
Sun, sport, teenagers and combining treatments.
Read →Part 06How do we know it’s working?
Measuring eye length, and catching myopia early.
Read →