Myopia management is still a relatively new idea for a lot of families, even though the evidence behind it has been building for years. Below are 40 of the questions we're asked most often, grouped by topic, from what it actually is through to cost, safety, daily life and long-term outlook.
myopia-faq-02.jpg — Family Consultation In Progress
General
Understanding Myopia Management
What is myopia management?
Myopia management, also called myopia control, is treatment aimed at slowing how quickly a child's eye keeps elongating, rather than only correcting the blurry vision that elongation causes. It's separate from standard vision correction and is for anyone whose myopia is still progressing.
Is myopia management the same as just getting glasses?
No. Standard glasses and contact lenses refocus light so vision is clear but don't influence how the eye grows. Myopia management uses specific lens designs and treatments shown in clinical trials to measurably slow that growth.
Does my child need myopia management, or just glasses?
This depends on whether their myopia is still progressing. A single visit can't always answer this; it often takes a couple of reviews, tracking axial length and prescription over time, to know for certain. We're happy to discuss this at a comprehensive assessment.
At what age does myopia management usually start?
Most commonly between ages 6 and 12, once progression is confirmed, though it can begin earlier or later depending on the individual child. Earlier intervention generally has more years of growth left to influence.
Is myopia management only relevant if my child already wears glasses?
No. We also assess and sometimes actively treat at-risk, pre-myopic children who don't need glasses yet, using signs like a depleting hyperopic reserve or accelerating axial length. Our Preventing Myopia page covers this in detail.
Who actually decides if my child needs myopia management?
It's a shared decision. We present the evidence, your child's specific risk and progression data, and the realistic options, then talk it through with you so the decision reflects both the clinical picture and your family's circumstances.
Is myopia management widely recommended by eye care professionals now?
Yes. Major professional bodies, including the International Myopia Institute, now recommend considering myopia control for children with progressing myopia, reflecting the strength of evidence that's built up over the past decade.
Treatments
Choosing & Using Treatment
What treatments are available?
We offer five evidence-based treatment options: orthokeratology (OrthoK), myopia control soft contact lenses (such as MiSight), myopia control spectacle lenses (such as MiyoSMART and Stellest), low-dose atropine eye drops, and repeated low-level red-light therapy (RLRL), with combination therapy available where appropriate. See our Myopia Control Treatments page for a full comparison.
Which treatment is most effective?
The best-evidenced options, OrthoK, MiSight, MiyoSMART, Stellest, higher-dose atropine and RLRL, all show broadly comparable results in clinical and real-world studies, generally around 50% or more reduction in axial elongation. No single option has been shown to be clearly superior across the board; the right choice depends on the individual child.
Can treatments be combined?
Yes. Combining a lens-based treatment with low-dose atropine is a genuine option for children who need additional slowing beyond a single treatment, and it's an area of growing evidence.
How long does treatment need to continue?
Generally until progression has genuinely stopped, confirmed by tracking axial length and prescription over time. For many children this means treatment through the teenage years, sometimes into early adulthood if progression is still measurable.
What if the first treatment we try doesn't work well?
We review progress regularly and adjust the plan if a treatment isn't slowing progression as expected, whether that means changing the lens design, adding atropine, or trying a different approach altogether.
How do you decide which treatment to recommend first?
We weigh age, prescription, eye health, lifestyle and activity level, and how realistic it is that a treatment will actually be worn or used consistently, since consistency matters as much as the treatment's trial results.
Is red light therapy (RLRL) a proven treatment now?
Yes. What began as an emerging option now has substantial evidence behind it, including a 2022 multicentre randomised trial and, more recently, real-world data following almost 2,900 children for up to five years, showing sustained axial length control throughout. We no longer consider it early-stage.
Can my child use more than one lens-based treatment, like glasses and contact lenses?
Generally we settle on one primary lens-based treatment at a time, sometimes adding atropine alongside it, rather than combining two lens-based options simultaneously, since this adds complexity without clear additional benefit.
Does myopia management work the same way for every ethnicity?
Effect sizes can vary somewhat between ethnic groups in some studies, for instance with atropine, but all our core treatments have shown meaningful benefit across the populations studied. We don't change our fundamental approach based on ethnicity, though we stay aware of these nuances.
What's the newest treatment option you offer?
Repeated low-level red-light therapy (RLRL) is our newest addition, now backed by a genuinely large evidence base including long-term, real-world outcome data, alongside our more established options.
Cost & Logistics
Cost, Reviews & Insurance
Does myopia management cost more than regular glasses or contact lenses?
Myopia control lenses and treatments typically cost more than standard glasses or contact lenses, reflecting the specialised lens technology and the additional monitoring, such as axial length measurement, involved. We discuss costs clearly before starting any treatment.
How often will my child need reviews?
Progressing children are typically reviewed roughly every six months, so we can track axial length and prescription closely and adjust the plan if needed. Review frequency may be closer together initially, especially with OrthoK or contact lenses, while fit and comfort are established.
Is myopia management covered by private health insurance?
Coverage varies by fund and policy level, particularly for optical extras and, in some cases, contact lens fitting. We recommend checking directly with your health fund, and our team can help clarify what's involved on our end.
Can I switch treatments partway through if needed?
Yes. If lifestyle, comfort or effectiveness call for a change, whether that's moving from glasses to OrthoK, adding atropine, or trying a different lens design, we can adjust the plan at any review.
What's included in an ongoing myopia management plan?
Generally this includes scheduled reviews, axial length and prescription monitoring, lens or treatment adjustments as needed, and access to our team between visits if concerns come up. We outline exactly what's included when a plan is recommended.
Do siblings often need the same treatment?
Not necessarily. Even siblings with similar prescriptions can respond differently to treatment or have different lifestyles, so we assess and recommend for each child individually rather than assuming one plan fits the whole family.
Can we start with a lower-cost option and upgrade later if needed?
Yes, this is a genuine, common approach. We can start with a treatment that suits your circumstances now and reassess at review, moving to a different option if progression isn't slowing as expected.
Safety
Safety & What To Expect
Is OrthoK safe for children?
Yes, when properly fitted and monitored. OrthoK carries a small risk of lens-related complications, similar to any contact lens wear, which is why proper fitting, hygiene education and regular follow-up are essential parts of the treatment, not optional extras.
Are myopia control contact lenses safe for daily wear?
Yes. They're worn and cared for like standard daily soft contact lenses, with the same hygiene principles applying. We make sure children and parents are confident with insertion, removal and care before starting.
Does low-dose atropine have side effects?
Some children experience mild light sensitivity or slightly blurred near vision, usually well tolerated at the low doses used for myopia control. We discuss what to expect and monitor for any issues at review appointments.
Will myopia control treatment definitely stop progression completely?
No treatment eliminates progression entirely for every child; the goal is meaningful slowing, not a guaranteed full stop. Even a partial reduction in axial elongation translates into real, lasting benefit for long-term eye health.
Is red light therapy (RLRL) safe for children's eyes?
Large-scale real-world data, including a five-year follow-up of almost 2,900 children, has reported no serious safety concerns. As with any newer treatment, we monitor eye health closely during use, including periodic checks, and take reports of any unusual symptoms seriously.
What symptoms should prompt us to contact you between reviews?
Persistent redness, pain, unusual light sensitivity, a sudden change in vision, or anything that feels different or concerning, whatever the treatment. We'd always rather hear from you and reassure you than have a concern go unmentioned until the next scheduled visit.
Are myopia control treatments approved by regulators?
The specific approval pathway varies by treatment and by country. MiSight, MiyoSMART, Stellest and standard OrthoK lenses hold regulatory approvals in Australia and other major markets; atropine and RLRL use for myopia control is supported by clinical evidence and increasingly reflected in professional guidelines.
Daily Life & School
Living With Treatment Day To Day
Will myopia control treatment affect my child's school performance?
It shouldn't, and clear vision from correction (whichever treatment is used) generally supports school performance rather than hindering it. Most children adapt to their treatment routine within a week or two and it becomes a normal part of the day.
Can my child play sport while on myopia control treatment?
Yes, in fact several treatments, particularly OrthoK, are popular specifically because they suit active, sporty children well, since nothing needs to be worn during the activity itself.
Will my child be teased for wearing myopia control glasses or lenses?
Myopia control glasses look like ordinary glasses to the casual observer, and contact lenses and OrthoK involve nothing visible at all during the day, so this is rarely an issue in our experience.
How do we build a good routine for lens care or drop use at home?
Linking it to an existing daily habit, like brushing teeth, tends to work well. We provide clear instructions and are happy to problem-solve routines that aren't sticking at review appointments.
What if my child resists their treatment some days?
This is common, especially early on. We talk through practical strategies at your visits, and in some cases, a different treatment better suited to your child's temperament and routine is worth considering.
Can myopia control treatments be used during school holidays or travel?
Yes, all our options are designed for everyday, ongoing use, including travel. OrthoK and contact lenses both travel well; we can advise on specific travel logistics like carrying solutions or drops through airport security.
Long-Term Outlook
What To Expect Over Time
Will my child eventually be able to stop treatment altogether?
Most children do eventually stop, once progression has genuinely settled, which we confirm through axial length tracking rather than assuming at a fixed age. Timing varies considerably between individuals.
Does starting myopia management early lead to a better long-term outcome?
Generally, yes. Earlier intervention means more years of active eye growth are influenced by treatment, which tends to translate into a shorter final eye length and lower lifetime eye health risk compared with starting later.
Will my child still need glasses even with successful myopia management?
Very likely, yes. Myopia management slows progression; it doesn't eliminate the myopia your child already has, so some level of correction, whether glasses, contact lenses or OrthoK, is still expected long-term.
How much difference does myopia management actually make over a lifetime?
A meaningful reduction in final prescription and axial length translates into real, lower lifetime risk of conditions like retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy and glaucoma, exactly the outcomes we're aiming to prevent with early, sustained treatment.
Still Have Questions? Let's Talk Them Through
Every child is different, and the best way to get answers specific to yours is a comprehensive myopia assessment with our team.
