Childhood myopia care combines vision correction with assessment of progression risk. The doctor selects correction and myopia-control options, then monitors refraction and, where measurements are available, eye growth.
children with newly confirmed true myopia; children and adolescents with progressive myopia; patients with early onset or a strong family history of myopia; children already receiving myopia control who need efficacy and safety review; children with high myopia who require closer retinal follow-up. one or both parents are myopic and the child shows early signs of myopia;
children who need safe and comfortable full-time vision correction;
patients considering orthokeratology or special contact-lens options;
the child has started having difficulty seeing the board, road signs or distant objects;
myopia has already been diagnosed and the prescription keeps changing;
myopia began at a young age, creating a longer potential period for progression; the child is already using a myopia-control method and needs effectiveness and safety monitoring;
parents need to choose between standard spectacles, myopia-control spectacles, soft contact lenses and orthokeratology;
Myopia occurs when the optical system focuses light from a distant object in front of the retina. In children, it is commonly associated with elongation of the eye. Earlier onset and faster progression increase the likelihood of reaching a higher degree of myopia by adulthood.
It is not possible to promise a cure for myopia in the sense of returning the eye to its original length or permanently eliminating dioptres. Current methods aim to correct vision and slow progression.
An autorefractor result that does not take accommodation into account is not always sufficient for a final paediatric prescription. Cycloplegic refraction is required when indicated.
Standard single-vision soft contact lenses and ordinary spectacles should not be marketed as dedicated progression-control treatments.
Device-based training, electrical stimulation, magnetic therapy, vacuum massage and similar procedures do not have evidence for slowing axial eye growth comparable with recognised myopia-control methods. They may be used for other functional tasks only when separately indicated.
Contact lenses, including orthokeratology, require strict hygiene.
Sleeping in lenses is appropriate only for prescribed orthokeratology lenses and the regimen specified by the clinician.
Poor hygiene increases the risk of microbial keratitis.
Low-dose atropine must be prescribed and monitored by a clinician. Concentration, schedule, adverse effects and availability depend on the clinical and local regulatory context.
Laser refractive surgery is not a routine strategy for controlling school-age myopia in a growing child. Exceptional medical indications are considered separately.
the child squints, moves closer to screens or reports that the current glasses are no longer strong enough;
new flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, a shadow or curtain in the visual field require urgent ophthalmic assessment rather than a routine correction visit.
Flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, a shadow or curtain in the visual field require urgent retinal assessment.
Flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, a shadow or curtain in the visual field require urgent retinal assessment.
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The pediatric ophthalmologist reviews symptoms, age at onset, family history, previous prescriptions, near-work habits and outdoor time.
Cycloplegia is performed when indicated for a more accurate pediatric refraction.
Corneal health and parameters are especially important when contact methods are considered.
Axial length may be documented when available and indicated so that eye growth, not only diopters, can be followed over time.
The doctor prescribes full optical correction and determines whether a dedicated myopia-control method is appropriate.
For contact lenses or orthokeratology, fitting, lens-position assessment and hygiene training are performed.
Follow-up compares refraction, visual acuity, ocular health and, when available, axial length.
When indicated, specific methods can slow myopia progression, but do not return an elongated eye to its previous size.
The treatment plan considers glasses or contact lenses so visual tasks are performed with appropriate correction.
Monitoring refraction and, when indicated, eye length helps assess progression and the response to treatment.
Guidance for the child and parents helps ensure prescribed correction is used correctly and follow-up is maintained.
Children’s glasses are prescribed according to refraction, visual acuity and binocular function.
Learn moreContact lens fitting for a child includes checking vision, assessing the cornea and evaluating a trial lens on the eye.
Learn moreOvernight orthokeratology lenses temporarily reshape the cornea during sleep.
Learn moreBook a pediatric ophthalmology consultation at KazRIED if your child has myopia or the prescription is becoming more negative. Bring previous prescriptions and examination results whenever possible: comparison over time helps the doctor assess progression and select an appropriate correction or myopia-control option.
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Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when the eye's optical system focuses the image of a distant object in front of the retina. In children, this is often associated with an increase in the axial length of the eye. The earlier myopia develops and the faster it progresses, the greater the likelihood of reaching a higher degree of myopia by adulthood.
Managing myopia in children involves two objectives: providing clear vision now and, where possible, slowing further progression. Properly prescribed optical correction helps a child see clearly at a distance, participate in school activities and play sports. Myopia control aims to slow the increase in refractive error and the growth of the eyeball.
These objectives should be distinguished. Standard single-vision glasses and conventional contact lenses correct blurred vision but do not provide the same myopia-control effect as specially designed optical lenses or orthokeratology.
High myopia is associated with an increased lifetime risk of retinal changes and other complications. This does not mean that complications will necessarily occur, but it explains why controlling myopia progression during childhood is important.
The ophthalmologist assesses refraction, visual acuity and eye health, taking into account the child's age, family history, changes in previous prescriptions and risk factors for progression.
In children, refraction is often assessed under cycloplegia, which temporarily relaxes accommodation using medication. This helps distinguish true myopia from situations in which accommodative effort makes the measured refraction appear more negative.
When indicated, the cornea and fundus are examined. If axial biometry is available and clinically indicated, the axial length of the eye is measured. Comparing these measurements over time provides a more objective way to monitor eye growth.
Assessing progression involves more than current diopter measurements. The ophthalmologist also considers the age of myopia onset, previous examination findings, visual habits and the child's ability to follow the prescribed correction regimen.
Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, the ophthalmologist prescribes optical correction. If myopia is progressing or the risk of progression is high, additional myopia-control methods may be considered.
No method guarantees that myopia progression will stop completely. Effectiveness depends on the child's individual characteristics, the selected technology, adherence to the prescribed regimen and follow-up findings.
Additional investigations and specific lens models are selected according to clinical indications. Their necessity is determined by the results of the ophthalmological examination.
The first step is to confirm the child's true refraction. Cycloplegia is used when necessary to reduce the influence of accommodation on measurement results.
The ophthalmologist then assesses the rate of myopia progression, age of onset, family history, eye health and previous examination findings. Axial length may also be monitored when measurements are available and clinically indicated.
Based on these findings, an appropriate vision correction method is selected, and the need for a separate myopia-control program is assessed. The decision considers not only research findings on treatment effectiveness but also the child's and family's ability to follow the prescribed regimen.
Even a potentially effective method may not produce the expected result if the child does not wear the prescribed glasses or contact lenses consistently or fails to follow contact lens hygiene rules.
Axial length is an additional measurement used to monitor myopia progression.
Refractive measurements in diopters may be affected by accommodation and examination conditions. Repeated biometric measurements help evaluate eye growth and complement refractometry findings.
Myopia control is based on comparing measurements over time. Previous prescriptions, ophthalmology reports and biometric measurements, when available, help guide and adjust the follow-up strategy.
Standard single-vision glasses remain an appropriate way to provide clear vision. If a family is not ready to use specialized optical methods or contact lenses, this does not mean the child cannot receive appropriate correction and monitoring.
The child still needs properly prescribed optical correction, assessment of myopia progression and regular follow-up examinations.
The goal of treatment is to provide clear vision, slow myopia progression where possible and reduce the likelihood of developing high myopia later in life.
Complete cessation of myopia progression, elimination of existing nearsightedness or a fixed percentage of treatment effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. The response to myopia control varies individually and is assessed through changes in refraction and, when measured, axial length.
Regular follow-up examinations allow the ophthalmologist to evaluate the selected strategy and adjust the treatment and monitoring plan when necessary.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
