Top 5 Myopia Control Methods Compared: Which Is Best for Your Child?

Your child has been diagnosed with myopia, and the optometrist mentioned something called "myopia control." But what does that actually mean — and which method is best? Here's a straightforward comparison of the five main options available in New Zealand in 2026.

First: Why Myopia Control Matters

Standard glasses correct your child's blurry vision, but they do nothing to slow down how quickly myopia progresses. The faster it progresses, the higher the final prescription — and the greater the lifetime risk of serious eye conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

Myopia control methods aim to slow the rate of progression, not just correct the blur. Even a 30-50% reduction in progression can make a significant difference to your child's long-term eye health.

1. Ortho-K (Orthokeratology)

How it works:

Custom rigid lenses worn overnight reshape the cornea while your child sleeps. In the morning, lenses come out and your child sees clearly all day with no glasses or contacts.

Effectiveness:

36-56% reduction in myopia progression (multiple clinical studies).

Best for:

• Children aged 6+ with mild to moderate myopia (up to about -6.00)
• Active kids who want freedom from glasses during the day
• Children with rapidly progressing myopia

Considerations:

• Requires nightly lens wear and strict hygiene
• Higher upfront cost ($2,275 at NVISION)
• Regular follow-up appointments needed
• Provides both vision correction AND myopia control

2. Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops

How it works:

A very low concentration of atropine (typically 0.01-0.05%) is instilled in each eye at bedtime. The drops work on the biochemical pathways that signal the eye to grow.

Effectiveness:

30-50% reduction in myopia progression at 0.05% concentration. Lower concentrations (0.01%) show 20-30% effectiveness.

Best for:

• Young children who aren't ready for contact lenses
• As a complement to other methods (e.g., combined with Ortho-K for very fast progressors)
• Families looking for the simplest possible treatment routine

Considerations:

• Does NOT correct vision — your child still needs glasses
• Some children experience mild pupil dilation and light sensitivity
• May need to be compounded by a pharmacy (not widely available off-the-shelf in NZ)
• Long-term effectiveness and rebound effect still being studied

3. MiSight Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

How it works:

MiSight lenses are specially designed soft contact lenses with concentric rings that create peripheral defocus (similar to the mechanism behind Ortho-K's myopia control effect). Worn during the day and discarded each evening.

Effectiveness:

25-40% reduction in myopia progression (CooperVision clinical trial data).

Best for:

• Children aged 8-12 who are comfortable with daytime contact lens wear
• Families who prefer the simplicity of daily disposable lenses (no cleaning required)
• Children with milder myopia

Considerations:

• Worn during the day — still need to manage contacts during sport, swimming, etc.
• Ongoing annual cost ($800-$1,200/year)
• Some children find daytime contacts uncomfortable in dry or dusty environments

4. Hoya MiyoSmart Spectacle Lenses

How it works:

MiyoSmart lenses look like regular glasses but incorporate D.I.M.S. (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) technology — hundreds of tiny lenslets across the surface that create peripheral myopic defocus while providing clear central vision.

Effectiveness:

Up to 60% reduction in myopia progression in the original study, though real-world results vary (20-60% depending on the study).

Best for:

• Young children (as young as 4-5) who aren't ready for contact lenses
• Children who are resistant to the idea of contacts
• Families who prefer a non-contact-lens approach

Considerations:

• Child must actually wear the glasses consistently — if they take them off frequently, the benefit is lost
• Cost is higher than standard glasses (typically $600-$1,000 per pair)
• Lenses need replacing as the prescription changes (usually annually)

5. Standard Glasses (No Myopia Control)

How it works:

Traditional single-vision glasses correct the blur of myopia but do not incorporate any myopia control technology.

Effectiveness:

0% reduction in myopia progression. Corrects vision only.

Best for:

Standard glasses are appropriate for children with stable, mild myopia and no significant risk factors for progression. However, for any child with progressing myopia, a dedicated myopia control method is strongly recommended.

So, Which Method Is Best?

There's no single best method — it depends on your child's age, prescription, lifestyle, rate of progression, and personal preferences. Here's a quick guide:

• For maximum myopia control + freedom from daytime eyewear: Ortho-K
• For the simplest treatment with no contacts: Low-dose atropine (but glasses still needed)
• For a contact lens solution with no nightly routine: MiSight
• For a glasses-based approach for younger children: MiyoSmart
• For very fast progressors: Combination therapy (e.g., Ortho-K + atropine) — discuss with your optometrist

At NVISION Eyecare, we offer Ortho-K, atropine drops, MiSight, and MiyoSmart. We assess each child individually and recommend the approach that best fits their eyes and their family's lifestyle.