Your child's myopia is progressing — let's measure it properly and slow it down.

What this is

Myopia in children tends to get worse every year, especially between ages 6 and 14. "Just changing the glasses" does not slow this down. Myopia control is a specific programme — with measurement, treatment, and regular follow-up — designed to slow the rate of progression.

We measure before we recommend. We do not prescribe treatment based on a parent's concern alone — we confirm progression on cycloplegic refraction and axial length before deciding anything.

When to bring your child

• Glasses power increasing by 0.50D or more per year
• Child aged 6–14 with myopia and a family history of high myopia
• Power already above −3.00D at a young age
• You have been told "the power will keep increasing" but no specific plan was given

What we measure

At the first visit we do a full baseline assessment:

• Cycloplegic refraction — exact power after dilating drops
• Axial length — measured on the Tomey OA-2000 optical biometer. This is the most important number in myopia control.
• Corneal topography — shape of the cornea, measured on the CSO Sirius topo-tomographer
• Slit lamp examination — anterior segment check

This takes about 90 minutes including dilation time. Please plan for this on the first visit.

Options we may discuss

0.05% atropine eye drops

One drop in each eye, every night at bedtime. Research in Indian children confirms it is safe and effective. We start here for most children with confirmed progression.

Myopia control spectacle lenses

We stock and dispense two clinically validated options in our in-house optical store:

• HOYA MiYOSMART — DIMS technology
• Essilor Stellest — HALT technology

Both are proven to slow axial elongation by approximately 50% compared to regular glasses. They must be worn at least 10 hours a day to work.

Lifestyle

At least 90 minutes of outdoor time per day is the only non-optical intervention with consistent evidence. We discuss this with every family.

Follow-up

Every 6 months — cycloplegic refraction and axial length at each visit. We are tracking the eye, not just the glasses number.

What we do not do

• We do not under-correct myopia — this increases progression
• We do not prescribe atropine without confirming progression first
• We do not promise that progression will stop — we aim to slow it significantly
• We do not currently offer orthokeratology (night contact lenses) — this is planned for the future

Why come to us

• Surgeon-led hospital — not a standalone optical store
• Axial length biometry on site (Tomey OA-2000) — most clinics in the city do not measure this
• Corneal topography on site (CSO Sirius)
• In-house optical lab — myopia control lenses dispensed and verified under one roof
• Three generations of eye care in Himayat Nagar

Frequently asked questions

Is atropine eye drops safe for children?

Yes. We use 0.05% atropine — a very low concentration applied once at bedtime. At this dose, side effects are minimal. Some children notice mild light sensitivity or slight blur at near vision, but these are well-tolerated. Your child will be reviewed every 6 months to check progress and adjust if needed.

What is a myopia control lens and how is it different from regular glasses?

Regular glasses correct vision but do not slow myopia progression. Myopia control lenses (such as HOYA MiYOSMART and Essilor Stellest) are specially designed to reduce the signal that causes the eye to keep growing. They look like normal glasses but have a different optical design in the periphery. They need to be worn at least 10 hours a day to be effective.

At what age can myopia control treatment start?

We typically start from age 6 onwards, once myopia is confirmed on cycloplegic refraction. Earlier treatment generally gives better outcomes because the eye is still actively growing.

How long does myopia control treatment continue?

Usually until progression stops — which is often in the late teens. We review every 6 months. If the power has been stable for two consecutive reviews, we discuss stepping down slowly.

Does my child need both atropine and special glasses?

Not always. For moderate progression, one treatment is often sufficient. For children with faster progression or younger age, we may recommend both together. This is decided after the baseline evaluation.

Do you do orthokeratology (night lenses)?

Not currently. Orthokeratology is on our roadmap and we plan to offer it in the future. At present we manage myopia with atropine 0.05% and myopia control spectacle lenses (MiYOSMART / Stellest).

Medically reviewed by Dr. H. Siva Mohan Reddy · 2026-06-16