Myopia Control Clinic

Myopia (short sight) is not only an inconvenience in terms of requiring spectacle correction but also carries an increased risk of serious complications in later life. The risk of these complications rises as the prescription increases.


Myopia risk

Risk factors for myopia:

  • If one parent is myopic a child is 1-3x more likely to become myopic
  • If two parents are myopic a child is 5-6x more like to become myopic
  • Children less than 8 years old with a prescription of less than +0.75DS are more likely to become myopic
  • Children who become myopic at a young age are more likely to progress to high myopia
  • Children who spend a lot of time inside or doing close work are more likely to become myopic

 Myopia management

 When you attend the Myopia Management Clinic, you can expect to have a thorough eye examination including:

  • Cycloplegic refraction
  • Binocular vision assessment
  • Measurement of axial length
  • Corneal topography

 We will then discuss with you the options available in order to try and limit the progression of your myopia. These could include:

  • Specialist soft contact lenses
  • Specialist rigid contact lenses that reshape the cornea, known as Orthokeratology
  • Specialist spectacle lenses
  • Lifestyle advice

 Currently, it is not possible to prevent the progression of myopia but research shows that interventions such as these may reduce the progression by up to 50%.