⚠️ Why Standard Single-Vision Lenses Are Not Enough
Single-vision (SV) spectacles correct your child's vision clearly at the centre, but they create hyperopic (long-sighted) blur in the peripheral retina. Research has shown this peripheral hyperopic defocus is a signal that tells the eye to keep growing longer — making myopia worse over time. SV lenses correct the symptom but do not address the underlying progression.
Children wearing SV lenses in clinical trials consistently showed faster progression compared to those wearing myopia management lenses (0.44–0.80D more progression per year).
Berntsen et al., IOVS 2013; Lam et al., Br J Ophthalmol 2020; Bao et al., JAMA Ophthalmol 2022; Smith III et al., IOVS 2005, 2009 (primate models)
Treatment Options — Ranked by Effectiveness
Based on published randomised controlled trial data. ✦ = available at Menara Optometry.
1Essilor Stellest (H.A.L.T.)✦ AVAILABLE
11 rings of aspherical lenslets — peripheral myopic defocus
Full-time wear (≥12hrs/day): up to 67% Rx, 60% AL. Bao et al., JAMA Ophthalmol 2022.
1Hoya MiYOSMART (D.I.M.S.)✦ AVAILABLE
Honeycomb +3.50D defocus segments
6-year sustained data. No rebound. FDA breakthrough designation. Lam et al., Br J Ophthalmol 2020, 2022; Sci Rep 2023.
2MiSight 1 Day Contact Lens✦ AVAILABLE
Dual-focus daily disposable soft CL
FDA-approved for myopia control in children. Safe daily disposable. 6-year data available. Chamberlain et al., 2019.
3Ortho-K (Overnight Lenses)COMING SOON
Overnight corneal reshaping — peripheral myopic defocus
Freedom from daytime wear. Hygiene is critical. Cho & Cheung, ROMIO 2012.
4Multifocal Soft CL (+2.50D)
Centre-near design — off-label use
BLINK Study (Walline et al., 2020). Lower efficacy than Stellest/MiYOSMART.
5Atropine Eye Drops (0.01–0.05%)CO-MANAGE
M1/M4 muscarinic receptor antagonist — retinal/scleral signaling
Cannot be prescribed by optometrists — co-managed with nearby ophthalmologist for high-risk fast progressors or combination therapy. ATOM studies (Chia et al., 2006–2016); LAMP (Yam et al., 2019).
🚫Standard Single-Vision LensesNOT RECOMMENDED
Corrects central vision only — causes peripheral hyperopic defocus
SV lenses are the control group in every clinical trial. They do not slow progression and may contribute to it through peripheral hyperopic defocus (Berntsen et al., IOVS 2013; Smith III et al., IOVS 2005).