Myopia Management
Slow it down.
Protect their future.
Myopia in children isn't just a prescription — it's a progressive condition with serious long-term risks. Evidence-based management can slow progression and protect your child's vision for life.
Understanding Myopia
More than just blurry distance vision.
Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long from front to back. This causes light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it — resulting in blurred distance vision.
In children, the eye is still developing. Myopia that begins early has years to progress — and each additional dioptre of myopia significantly increases the risk of serious eye disease in adulthood.
The goal of myopia management is not simply to correct blurred vision — it is to slow the rate of axial elongation and keep the final prescription as low as possible.
Every dioptre of myopia prevented reduces the risk of myopic maculopathy by approximately 40% and retinal detachment by 67%.
— Brien Holden Vision Institute
Why It Matters
The long-term risks of unchecked myopia progression.
Retinal detachment
3× higher risk at -3.00D, up to 22× at -6.00D
Glaucoma
2–3× increased risk with high myopia
Myopic maculopathy
Leading cause of irreversible vision loss in high myopes
Cataracts
Earlier onset and higher prevalence in myopic eyes
Risk increases significantly above -3.00D and dramatically above -6.00D (high myopia).
Treatment Options
Evidence-based options for every child.
No single treatment suits every child. We assess each patient individually and recommend the most appropriate approach — or a combination — based on age, prescription, lifestyle, and rate of progression.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
HighCustom overnight lenses that reshape the cornea, providing clear daytime vision while significantly slowing axial elongation. One of the most effective myopia control methods available.
Best for: Children 6+ who want freedom from daytime eyewear
Myopia Control Soft Lenses
HighSpecially designed daily disposable soft lenses (such as MiSight) worn during the day. They correct vision while creating peripheral defocus that slows eye growth.
Best for: Children who prefer daytime soft lens wear
Atropine Eye Drops
Moderate–HighLow-dose atropine drops applied nightly have been shown to significantly slow myopia progression. Often used in combination with optical correction.
Best for: Children with rapidly progressing myopia
Multifocal Spectacles
ModerateSpecially designed spectacle lenses that reduce the peripheral hyperopic defocus thought to drive eye growth. A non-invasive option for younger children.
Best for: Younger children not yet ready for contact lenses
Outdoor Time
PreventiveStrong evidence shows that 90+ minutes of outdoor time daily reduces the risk of myopia onset. Bright light stimulates dopamine release in the retina, which inhibits eye elongation.
Best for: All children — especially as a preventive measure
Our Approach
A personalised management plan for your child.
Comprehensive assessment
We measure visual acuity, refraction, axial length, and corneal topography to build a complete picture of your child's myopia and its rate of progression.
Personalised treatment plan
Based on the assessment, we recommend the most appropriate treatment — or combination — for your child's age, prescription, and lifestyle.
Treatment initiation
We fit and prescribe the chosen treatment, provide full training and support, and ensure your child is comfortable and confident from day one.
6-monthly monitoring
Regular reviews track axial length and refraction changes. We adjust the treatment plan as your child grows to maintain optimal effectiveness.
Is My Child a Candidate?
Act early. The window matters.
Myopia management is most effective when started early — before the prescription has had years to climb. If any of the following apply to your child, a myopia assessment is recommended.
Take the First Step
Book a myopia assessment for your child.
Our specialist team will assess your child's myopia, measure axial length, and recommend the most appropriate management strategy — with full transparency and no pressure.
Book at Meskin OptometristsCape Town, South Africa
FAQs
Common questions from parents.
What is myopia and why does it progress in children?
Myopia (short-sightedness) occurs when the eye grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than on it. In children, the eye is still growing — and environmental factors like excessive near work and insufficient outdoor time can accelerate this growth, causing the prescription to worsen year on year.
At what age should myopia management begin?
The earlier the better. Myopia that begins before age 10 has the most time to progress and carries the greatest risk of reaching high myopia by adulthood. We recommend starting treatment as soon as myopia is detected in a child, regardless of how mild the prescription is.
How do I know if my child's myopia is progressing too fast?
A change of more than -0.50D per year is generally considered significant progression. Regular 6-monthly eye examinations allow us to track the rate of change and intervene early if progression is rapid.
Can myopia be cured or reversed?
Currently, myopia cannot be cured or reversed. However, its progression can be significantly slowed with the right treatment — reducing the risk of reaching high myopia and the serious complications associated with it.
Is myopia management covered by medical aid?
Coverage varies by medical aid scheme and plan. We recommend checking with your provider. Our team can assist with documentation to support any claims.
How often does my child need to be seen?
We recommend 6-monthly reviews for children on a myopia management programme. This allows us to monitor axial length, assess treatment effectiveness, and adjust the plan as needed.
Cape Town · South Africa
Don't wait for the prescription to get worse.
Myopia progression is fastest in childhood. The earlier treatment begins, the lower the final prescription — and the lower the lifetime risk of serious eye disease.