Myopia Control in Melbourne for Children

If your child is short-sighted, myopia control may slow how fast it worsens. MiYOSMART lenses are clinically shown to slow progression by up to 60% (BHVI/Hoya).

What Is Myopia and Why Does It Get Worse in Children?

Myopia (short-sightedness) happens when the eye grows a little too long. Distant objects look blurry, while close-up vision usually stays clear. It is why a short-sighted child can read a book comfortably but struggles to see the classroom board.

Myopia usually starts in childhood and tends to worsen as a child grows. The eye keeps elongating during development, so the prescription often increases year on year. For most children, it settles in their early-to-mid twenties.

A few things can raise the risk: less time spent outdoors, more close-up screen and reading time, and genetics, since short-sighted parents are more likely to have short-sighted children. None of these are about blame; they simply help explain why myopia is becoming more common.

Why Unmanaged Myopia Matters Long-Term

Short-sightedness is more than an inconvenience or a question of thicker glasses. A higher degree of myopia, known as high myopia, is associated with a greater risk of serious eye conditions later in life.

These conditions include retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. The risk rises as the degree of myopia increases, which is why the final prescription matters so much.

This is the case for acting early, not a reason to panic. The lower a child’s final prescription, the lower the long-term risk tends to be. Slowing progression during the childhood years may reduce where that prescription eventually lands.

Many children with well-managed myopia go on to have healthy eyes. The aim is simply to keep the prescription as low as possible while the eyes are still growing.

Which Children Benefit From Myopia Control?

Myopia control works best when it starts early, while the eye is still developing. The original MiYOSMART trials focused on children aged 8 to 13, and more recent research has shown benefit in children as young as 4. It is worth considering an assessment if your child:

We see families at both clinics: Narre Warren in Melbourne’s south-east, and Caulfield in the inner south. Myopia control is not right for every child. A proper assessment identifies whether it is recommended in your child’s case, rather than assuming one size fits all.

How Myopia Control Works: MiYOSMART and Other Methods

Myopia control works by addressing the physical growth of the eye, not just the blur. The most widely used option for children is a special type of spectacle lens.

MiYOSMART lenses use DIMS (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) technology. The centre of the lens corrects distance vision normally, while hundreds of tiny segments across the rest of the lens create a gentle, controlled defocus. This signals the eye to slow its elongation.

In a study by BHVI (the Brien Holden Vision Institute) and Hoya, MiYOSMART lenses slowed axial elongation, the physical lengthening of the eye that drives myopia, by up to 60% compared with standard single-vision lenses. They look like ordinary glasses and are worn all day with no special routine. For full detail, see our MiYOSMART lenses page.

A few other methods exist, and we are happy to talk through whether they suit your child:

Orthokeratology (ortho-k). Rigid contact lenses worn overnight that reshape the front of the eye temporarily. An option for some children.
Atropine eye drops. Low-dose atropine has evidence for slowing progression and is used in some clinical settings.

For most children, we recommend MiYOSMART as the first approach, because it is non-invasive, evidence-based and well tolerated day to day.

Need help with your child’s vision?

What to Expect

What to Expect at Your Child's Myopia Assessment

Parents often want to know what actually happens before they book. Here is the process, step by step.

A chat about what you have noticed

A thorough eye examination

Going through the findings with you

A plan built around your child

A chat about what you have noticed

A thorough eye examination

Going through the findings with you

A plan built around your child

If you would like, you can book a standard kids eye test first and discuss myopia from there.

Have any questions?

(03) 9972 2722

Why Choose Eye Care for Kids for Myopia Control

Managed myopia care at our Narre Warren and Caulfield clinics

Because MiYOSMART lenses only work when worn consistently, a comfortable, well-fitting frame matters. We carry one of the widest ranges of children’s frames in Melbourne, including Tomato Glasses for younger faces.

MiYOSMART expertise

Marvin is highly experienced in fitting and monitoring MiYOSMART lenses, and correct fitting genuinely matters for how well they work.

A managed program, not a one-off prescription

Myopia control means regular reviews to track how your child’s eyes are changing, so the plan can be adjusted as they grow.

The right method for your child

We assess first, then recommend what suits your child, whether that is MiYOSMART lenses or another option, rather than assuming one method fits every child.

Trusted by other health professionals

GPs, paediatricians, school nurses and maternal and child health nurses refer families to us when they are concerned about a child’s eyes.

Senior Optometrist, Dip Optom SA, FOA, MCOPTOM

Marvin Janet

Marvin Janet is an optometrist with extensive training and experience in paediatric and behavioural optometry, including the assessment and management of myopia in children as their eyes develop.

Marvin is often referred to by Maternal and Child Health nurses, school nurses, GPs, paediatricians, teachers and other optometrists.

He puts children of all ages at ease with his gentle, friendly and caring nature, which leads to more accurate assessments and better outcomes for your child.

More about Marvin

With more than two decades’ experience as an optometrist, Marvin developed his interest in childrens’ vision at the School of Optometry at the Technikon Witwatersrand, South Africa. He continued his study of children’s vision at The University of Manchester. After migrating to Australia, Marvin furthered his proficiency at The University of New South Wales.

Marvin presents educational lectures to teachers at schools on childrens’ vision, and holds private practice in Melbourne, where the majority of his patients are children of all ages.

Eye Care for Kids has 2 convenient locations

Narre Warren

Casey Business Centre
Suite 5, 26-28 Verdun Drive
Narre Warren VIC 3805

Caulfield

Access Business Centres
Suite 7, 242 Hawthorn Road
Caulfield VIC 3161

Tell us about your child’s eyes

Frequently Asked Questions

Most frequent questions and answers about myopia control

What is myopia control?

Myopia control refers to evidence-based methods that may slow how quickly short-sightedness progresses in children. Rather than only correcting blurry distance vision, it aims to reduce the rate at which the eye grows longer, which is what drives increasing short-sightedness. At Eye Care for Kids, our main approach is MiYOSMART lenses, which are clinically shown to slow progression by up to 60% compared with standard single-vision lenses (BHVI/Hoya clinical study).

How much do myopia control glasses or lenses cost?

The cost of myopia control lenses varies depending on the type recommended and any private health fund coverage that applies. Call us on (03) 9972 2722 and we will talk through the fees before your child’s appointment. We can also discuss costs at the assessment itself, before any plan is recommended.

Can you reverse myopia naturally?

Myopia cannot be reversed through lifestyle changes once it has developed. Some research suggests time outdoors may reduce the chance of myopia starting in children who are not yet short-sighted, but outdoor time does not undo an existing prescription. MiYOSMART lenses are designed to slow how quickly myopia progresses, not to reverse it.

What age should myopia control start?

Myopia control is most effective when started early, while the eye is still developing. The original MiYOSMART trials studied children aged 8 to 13, and more recent research has shown benefit in children as young as 4. If your child wears distance glasses and the prescription is changing, it is worth discussing myopia control sooner rather than later.

Is myopia control covered by private health insurance?

Depending on your private health fund and level of extras cover, part of the cost of myopia control lenses may be claimable. We can confirm what your fund covers when you call or at your appointment. Medicare rebates may apply to some children’s eye examinations.

How is myopia control different from just wearing glasses?

Standard single-vision glasses correct your child’s blurry distance vision, but they do not slow how quickly myopia progresses. Myopia control lenses such as MiYOSMART are designed to also address the physical growth of the eye that drives increasing short-sightedness. Your child still wears them like any pair of glasses, but the lens design does extra work.