Myopia Management: Biometry-Led Myopia Control
Short-sightedness in children can now be slowed, not just corrected. Our approach is led by objective biometry - measuring and tracking how each eye is actually growing with our Zeiss optical biometer and Pentacam corneal tomographer, rather than relying on glasses prescription alone.
Myopia is more than just blurry distance vision
Managing short-sightedness in childhood is about protecting long-term eye health, not only today's eyesight.
An accelerating problem
Childhood short-sightedness is becoming more common and starting earlier, with global projections suggesting around half the world's population will be myopic by 2050. Many of today's children will need a management plan, not just a stronger prescription.
Every dioptre carries risk
The lifetime risk of sight-threatening conditions - retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, early cataract and glaucoma - rises with the level of myopia an eye goes on to reach in adulthood. Slowing progression in childhood measurably reduces that risk later in life.
The early years count most
Myopia usually first appears, and progresses fastest, during the primary and early secondary school years. Picking it up early and starting a control plan promptly makes the biggest long-term difference.
Biometry-led monitoring
Two instruments, used together, to measure how an eye is changing - not just what glasses it currently needs.
Zeiss optical biometer
The true measure of progression
A glasses prescription is a useful guide, but it's an indirect one. The number that really matters is axial length - the physical length of the eye, measured non-contact by our Zeiss swept-source biometer to within hundredths of a millimetre. Because it's so precise and repeatable, biometry picks up genuine progression months before it would show up as a change in prescription, giving us an objective, child-friendly way to see exactly how an eye is growing.
Pentacam corneal tomographer
The full shape of the eye, front to back
Our Pentacam builds a complete 3D map of the cornea - its curvature, thickness and shape across its entire surface, not just a single reading. Before fitting any contact lens or orthokeratology option, this lets us rule out early keratoconus or irregular astigmatism and establish a precise corneal baseline, which we track alongside axial length for a complete structural picture of each child's eyes.
Every myopia management plan starts with a baseline scan on both instruments, repeated at regular check-ups (typically every six months). That gives us an objective growth curve for each child's eyes, so we can see clearly whether a treatment is working and adjust the plan if it isn’t - rather than waiting to see if the glasses prescription has changed.
A plan built around each child
We offer every major evidence-based approach to slowing myopia progression, and help you choose the right fit.
Myopia control spectacle lenses
Specialist lens designs that correct vision while also sending a growth-slowing signal to the peripheral retina - the first option for many younger children, worn just like ordinary glasses.
Myopia control contact lenses & orthokeratology
Daily soft lenses designed for myopia control, or overnight orthokeratology lenses that reshape the cornea gently while a child sleeps, for clear vision with nothing to wear during the day.
Low-concentration atropine
A nightly eye drop, used alone or alongside another option, shown to slow the rate at which a child's eyes become more short-sighted over time.
Lifestyle guidance
Practical, evidence-based habits that support every treatment option - time outdoors each day, sensible limits on close screen work, and regular breaks for young eyes.
A myopia assessment, step by step
Baseline assessment
A full eye examination plus baseline Zeiss biometry and Pentacam scans, painless and non-contact - quick enough for even younger children to sit through comfortably.
A plan-building conversation
We talk through family history, lifestyle and how the prescription has been trending, so parents understand exactly what we're seeing and why.
Choosing the right approach
Together we choose the option, or combination of options, that best fits the child and family - there's no single right answer for every eye.
Ongoing, objective monitoring
Biometry rescans, typically every six months, give an objective growth curve for each eye - so we know a plan is working, rather than guessing from the prescription alone.