September is Myopia Action Month, a global initiative to raise awareness about childhood myopia (short-sightedness) and the steps we can take to safeguard children’s vision.

You may remember wearing glasses as a child or teen — but what we know today has changed. We now understand that myopia isn’t just about needing stronger glasses every year. It’s about protecting your child’s long-term eye health and taking action to slow its progression.

What is Myopia?

Myopia means your child can see up close, but things in the distance — like the whiteboard at school, sports fields, or road signs — look blurry.

Myopia happens when the eye grows too long, or the front of the eye (the cornea) is too curved. This causes light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

Corrective glasses or contact lenses can make vision sharp again — but they don’t stop the eye from continuing to grow. The more the eye grows, the higher the level of myopia, and the greater the risk of sight-threatening conditions later in life such as:

• Retinal detachment
• Myopic macular degeneration
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma

A lower final prescription is also beneficial as it means thinner lenses, less blur when you don't have your glasses on and more options for refractive surgery as an adult. 

That’s why the focus of modern eye care is not just correcting blurred vision — but slowing down myopia progression. 

Why Myopia is Becoming So Common

By 2050, it’s predicted that half the world’s population will be myopic. The rise comes down to a mix of genetics and lifestyle:

• Family history – If one parent is myopic, the child’s risk doubles. If both parents are myopic, the risk triples.
• Near work – Long hours on devices, books, and schoolwork put constant strain on young eyes.
• Lack of outdoor time – Research shows children who spend less time outside are more likely to develop myopia. Natural daylight and focusing on distant objects outdoors play a protective role.

Evidence-Based Myopia Management Options

The good news: we now have proven, evidence-based ways to slow down myopia in children. At Illume Eye Care, our optometrists have been managing childrens myopia for over 20 years (and are parents too), so we customise a plan that fits your child’s vision, lifestyle, and family needs.

Myopia Control Glasses

Unlike standard glasses, specially designed myopia control lenses use innovative optics to reduce the signal for the eye to keep growing. These lenses provide clear central vision while also sending a gentle signal to slow down progression.

• Essilor® Stellest™ lenses – Clear central vision plus a “constellation” of tiny lenslets that create a signal to slow myopia progression. Studies show Stellest™ lenses can slow myopia progression by up to 67% when worn 12+ hours a day.

• Hoya MiyoSmart® lenses – Award-winning Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) technology, proven to reduce myopia progression by an average of 60% in long-term clinical studies and the most established spectacle design. Also avalable in photochromatic and sunglass options.

• Zeiss MyoCare® lenses – The latest generation of myopia control glasses, designed with age-specific lenslets to provide clear vision and reliable myopia management tailored to children’s needs, shown to reduce refractive progression on average of 63%.

We offer a range of lens designs because every child is unique. These options are comfortable, safe, and an easy first step for many families beginning their child’s myopia management journey

Soft Contact Lenses

• MiSight® 1 day (CooperVision) – The world’s first FDA-approved daily disposable lens for myopia control, proven in 7-year clinical studies to slow progression by about 59%.

• ACUVUE® Abiliti™ soft lenses (Johnson & Johnson) – A new generation daily option for children, with designs optimised to manage eye growth while providing clear vision.

Overnight Lenses (Ortho-K)

• Custom-fit orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, so they wake up with clear vision and no lenses or glasses during the day. Ortho-K has been shown to slow axial eye growth by around 50%. 

• Great for active kids, swimmers, and teens who want freedom from glasses during the day. You can read more about OrthoK at Illume here.

Atropine Therapy

Low-dose prescription atropine eye drops can be used at night to help slow the progression of myopia in children.

• These drops work by affecting the biochemical signals that drive eye growth.

• Studies have shown that certain low concentrations (such as 0.01–0.05%) can significantly reduce the rate of myopia progression with minimal side effects.

• Atropine is often combined with other treatments — such as myopia control glasses, contact lenses, or lifestyle changes — for the best long-term results.

Eyerising® Myopia Management Device

The Eyerising® device uses Repeated Low-Level Red Light (RLRL) therapy, an emerging technology that has shown promising results in slowing eye growth and myopia progression.

• The treatment involves looking into a specialised device that delivers safe, low-level red light to the eyes for just a few minutes, twice a day.
• Clinical studies suggest RLRL can reduce axial elongation (eye growth) and therefore help manage the progression of myopia.
• The therapy is non-invasive and easy for children to use at home, but requires commitment to regular sessions for best results.

At Illume, we follow developments in this area closely and may recommend RLRL therapy as part of a tailored plan for the right child.

Lifestyle Guidance

Treatment isn’t just lenses — lifestyle plays a powerful role:

• Outdoor time – Aim for at least 90–120 minutes a day outside.
• Visual breaks – Follow the “20-20-20 rule”: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Good lighting – Make sure kids have bright lighting for reading and study.
• Limit recreational screen time where possible - ideally keep it to two hours max a day

Our Approach at Illume Eye Care

At Illume, our optometrists have been managing childrens myopia for over 20 years (and are parents too), so we customise a plan that fits your child’s vision, lifestyle, and family needs. Myopia management is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why we use advanced diagnostic tools like:

• Axial length measurement – to track eye growth, the most reliable way to monitor progression.
• Corneal topography – to guide Ortho-K lens fitting.
• Retinal imaging – to keep an eye on eye health changes over time.
• Customised Reporting - to show you how things are changing and the impact of treatment strategies 

From here, we design a unbiased personalised plan that may combine glasses, contacts,eye drops, and lifestyle strategies — all with regular follow-ups to measure effectiveness. Our focus is not just on clear vision today, but on protecting your child’s vision for decades to come.

Take Action This Myopia Action Month 

If your child is squinting to see the board, sitting closer to the TV, holding books close, or if myopia runs in your family — now is the time to book an assessment.

Book an appointment at Illume Eye Care and learn how we can support your child with a tailored myopia management plan.

ILLUME TIP - Want to know more now? My Kids Vision is a great resource for all things Myopia Management in Children