Parents whose child's prescription goes up a little at every check-up tend to ask the same question. Is there a way to stop this, or at least slow it down? One of the answers is myopia control lenses.
One important note first. Myopia is an eye health matter and treatment decisions are made by an ophthalmologist. As opticians, we prepare the lens the doctor prescribes with accurate measurements and help your child wear the glasses comfortably and correctly.
Why Myopia Progresses in Children
Myopia, or short-sightedness, means blurry distance vision and usually comes from the eyeball growing slightly longer than it should. Because the eye keeps growing through childhood and the teenage years, myopia tends to increase during this time. A family history of myopia, long periods of close work and little time outdoors are among the factors linked with this increase.
We explain myopia and how to read a prescription in our myopia guide, and its link with screens in screen time and myopia in children.
What Myopia Control Lenses Are
An ordinary single vision lens for myopia focuses the image at the centre of the eye. Light passing through the edges of the lens, however, focuses slightly behind the outer part of the retina, which is thought to encourage the eye to lengthen. Myopia control lenses are designed to change that peripheral image. The centre of the lens keeps your child's vision sharp, while special zones around it send a different focus signal to the edge of the retina.
Each manufacturer uses its own technology for this. Lens makers such as Hoya, Essilor and Zeiss have developed lenses for this purpose. From the outside they look much like ordinary lenses. Your child sees the board and the book clearly, just as with ordinary glasses. The design aims at the signal thought to drive eye growth, not at sharpness of vision.
How Effective They Are
In clinical studies of some lens designs, myopia progressed more slowly on average in children wearing myopia control lenses than in same-age children wearing single vision lenses. These lenses do not cure myopia and do not reduce the existing prescription. The aim is to slow progression, and results vary from child to child.
Consistent wear is a key condition. The study results come from children who wore their glasses throughout the day. Expecting the same benefit from glasses that stay in a school bag would not be realistic.
Slowing myopia matters because myopia that rises quickly in childhood can reach high levels in adulthood. High myopia can raise the risk of certain eye health problems later in life. That is why eye doctors care about slowing the increase early.
Which Children They Suit
Whether myopia control lenses are suitable is decided by the ophthalmologist. They usually come up in the situations below.
- Children whose myopia started at school age and increases from one check-up to the next
- Children whose mother or father has high myopia
- Children whose prescription has risen noticeably in a short time
For children whose myopia has not started yet but who carry a risk, the doctor may recommend regular check-ups. An increase spotted early leaves more time to weigh the options.
The doctor may also suggest other methods alongside these lenses. Which path to follow depends entirely on the examination. You can read why eye checks matter before and during school years in our article on children's eye screening.
How the Process Works
- The ophthalmologist examines your child and measures the degree of myopia and, if needed, the length of the eye
- If the doctor recommends myopia control lenses, they write the prescription
- In our shop we choose a sturdy, light frame that suits your child's face
- The centre of the lens must sit exactly in front of the pupil, so we take measurements carefully while your child wears the frame
- At collection we check the fit and explain to the family how the glasses should be worn
- Check-ups follow at intervals set by the doctor, and the lenses are renewed as the prescription changes
After your child is examined by an eye doctor in Kemalpaşa or anywhere in İzmir, you can bring the prescription to our shop.
Why the Frame Matters
With myopia control lenses, the frame sitting correctly on the face matters even more than with ordinary glasses. If the glasses slide down the nose, your child looks through the edge of the lens instead of the centre and the design cannot do its job. That is why we recommend light frames with adjustable nose pads and arms that stay secure behind the ears, so your child is happy to wear them all day. The lens material matters too. Impact-resistant, light materials are preferred for children's glasses, which lowers the risk of a lens breaking during play and sports. Our kids' glasses guide covers what to look for.
Habits That Help
A lens alone does not solve everything. Below are habits eye doctors often recommend.
- Spending time outdoors every day
- Holding books, tablets and phones at a reasonable distance from the eyes
- Taking regular breaks during long periods of close work
- Keeping screen time within limits that suit the child's age
The long, bright days in İzmir make this habit easier. An hour in a park or garden after school gives eyes that spend the day on close work a chance to look into the distance. If your child will be outside in strong sun, a hat or sunglasses with UV protection are a good idea too.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child sees blur at the edges with the new glasses, is that normal?
Because the outer zones of myopia control lenses work differently, some children notice slight blur when looking through the edge of the lens in the first days. Children usually adapt within a few days and learn to look through the centre on their own. If the complaint does not go away, or if headaches, dizziness or eye pain appear, we need to check the fit and you should talk to your eye doctor.
Should the glasses be worn at school and during breaks?
Yes. Because the effect depends on consistent wear, the glasses should be worn throughout the day as the eye doctor recommends. A sturdy frame and, if needed, a strap at the back help keep the glasses in place during sports and play.
Until what age are myopia control lenses worn?
How long they are used is decided by the eye doctor. Because myopia usually progresses during childhood and the teenage years while the eye is still growing, these lenses are mostly used during this period. The doctor looks at the measurements at each check-up and decides whether to continue.
Can contact lenses be used for myopia control?
Yes, there are special contact lens options designed for this purpose, used on the eye doctor's recommendation. The doctor decides which method suits your child after the examination. If it helps, we can explain the day-to-day differences between glasses and contact lenses in the shop.
Can they go into my child's current frame?
Often yes, if the frame is sturdy, suits your child's face and allows the centre of the lens to be positioned correctly. Because fit matters so much with these lenses, we check the current frame together first. If it is not suitable, we suggest a new one for your child.
Myopia Control Lenses in Kemalpaşa, İzmir
At İlhan Optik, our shop in the Mehmet Akif Ersoy neighbourhood of Kemalpaşa, we prepare myopia control lenses prescribed by an ophthalmologist and help families choose the right frame for their child. You are welcome to visit with the prescription from central İzmir, Bornova and Buca, and we speak English. Bringing your child's prescription and the doctor's report makes the right choice easier.
