Myopia Control & Short-Sightedness Treatment in Sydney
What is Myopia?
Myopia (short-sightedness) is a common vision condition where close objects appear clear, but distant objects look blurry or out of focus.
Myopia develops when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea becomes too steeply curved, causing light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This results in blurred distance vision.
Myopia often begins during childhood and can progress as the eyes continue to grow. Early diagnosis and management are essential to help slow progression and reduce the risk of future eye health complications.
Signs and Symptoms of Myopia
Common signs your child may be developing myopia include:
Blurred distance vision
Squinting to see clearly
Sitting too close to screens or televisions
Holding books or devices very close
Frequent headaches
Eye strain or tired eyes
Difficulty seeing the whiteboard at school
Reduced concentration during reading or distance tasks
If your child experiences any of these symptoms, a comprehensive eye examination is recommended.
Who is Most Likely to Develop Myopia?
Several factors increase the risk of developing short-sightedness:
Age
Myopia commonly develops during school years and often progresses faster in younger children.
Family History
Genetics plays a major role:
- If one parent is myopic, the child’s risk increases threefold
- If both parents are myopic, the risk increases up to six times
Ethnicity
Research shows myopia is more common in East Asian populations, although it affects all ethnic groups.
Lifestyle Factors
Children who spend less time outdoors and more time doing prolonged near work are at greater risk.
Risk factors include:
- Less than 1 hour of outdoor activity daily
- Excessive screen time
- Extended reading at close distances
- Poor lighting during near tasks
How is Myopia Corrected?
Traditional myopia correction involves single vision glasses or contact lenses, which provide clear central vision by focusing light directly onto the retina.
However, research has shown these standard lenses may allow peripheral light to focus behind the retina, which can stimulate further eye growth and increase myopia progression.
This is why modern myopia control treatments are designed to slow progression rather than simply correct blurry vision.
Advanced Myopia Control Treatments
Clinical research shows modern myopia management options can reduce progression by up to 50–60%, helping protect long-term eye health.
We offer the latest evidence-based myopia control solutions tailored to your child’s needs.
Atropine Eye Drops for Myopia Control
Low-dose atropine eye drops are a clinically proven treatment used to slow myopia progression in children.
These prescription drops work by relaxing the eye’s focusing system and reducing signals that stimulate excessive eye growth.
Benefits of Atropine Treatment
- Simple nightly use before bedtime
- Minimal side effects for most patients
- Non-invasive treatment option
- Often combined with glasses for enhanced control
Treatment Duration
- Typically prescribed for 2 years
- Followed by a monitored 6-month washout period
Cost
Approximately $25 per bottle per month
Your optometrist will determine the most appropriate concentration for your child.
Hoya MiYOSMART Lenses
MiYOSMART lenses are one of the most advanced spectacle lens technologies for controlling childhood myopia.
These innovative lenses look and feel like regular glasses while using highly specialised optical technology to slow eye growth.
The design features:
- A clear central vision zone
- Peripheral defocus segments that guide light correctly onto the retina
- Clinically proven reduction in myopia progression by up to 60%
Why Parents Choose MiYOSMART
- Comfortable and easy to adapt to
- Non-invasive
- Ideal for younger children
- Proven clinical performance
Cost
Approximately $600
MiSight® Daily Contact Lenses
MiSight® 1 Day contact lenses are the world’s first soft daily disposable contact lens specifically designed for myopia control.
They use multiple treatment zones to create peripheral defocus, helping slow eyeball elongation while delivering clear vision.
Benefits of MiSight Lenses
- Daily disposable for hygiene and convenience
- Excellent for active children and sports
- Comfortable and easy to wear
- Proven to reduce myopia progression by up to 59%
These lenses can be worn instead of glasses or alongside spectacles for flexibility.
Cost
Approximately $320 for a 3-month supply
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) uses specially designed overnight rigid contact lenses to gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps.
When removed in the morning, clear vision is achieved throughout the day without glasses or daytime contact lenses.
Ortho-K also creates peripheral retinal focus control, helping reduce myopia progression by up to 60%.
Benefits of Ortho-K
- Clear daytime vision without glasses
- Excellent for sports and active lifestyles
- Non-surgical and reversible
- Highly effective myopia management
Initial Fitting Cost
Approximately $1250
This includes consultation, fitting, and lens delivery.
Why Early Myopia Control Matters
Slowing myopia progression helps reduce the future risk of serious eye conditions, including:
- Retinal detachment
- Glaucoma
- Myopic macular degeneration
- Cataracts
- Permanent vision loss later in life
Early intervention gives the best long-term outcomes.
Book a Myopia Assessment in Sydney
If your child is showing signs of short-sightedness, early assessment is essential. Our experienced optometrists provide comprehensive myopia testing and personalised myopia control treatment plans in Sydney, helping protect your child’s vision for life. Book your consultation today and take control of your child’s visual future.