Contact lens options for myopia in children

• Contact lenses can both correct blurred distance vision and help slow the progression of myopia in children, making them an effective option for myopia management.
• Two main types of contact lenses are used for myopia control – soft contact lenses and orthokeratology lenses.
• With proper care and supervision, contact lenses are a safe and comfortable way for children to enjoy clear vision and freedom from glasses.

Contact lenses provide more than just an alternative to glasses. For children with myopia (near-sightedness), modern contact lenses can correct blurred vision, slow down progressive vision deterioration, and offer functional and practical benefits in daily activities, without the hassle of wearing glasses.

Contact lenses come with some key advantages:

1. Clear vision: contact lenses provide vision that is as clear and sharp as glasses, with the added advantage of a wider, unobstructed field of view.
2. Practical benefits: contact lenses provide comfortable vision during sport and other activities, without some of the limitations of glasses, such as heavy lenses, slipping frames, or breakage.
3. Psychological benefits: wearing contact lenses can improve confidence, satisfaction, appearance, and participation in daily activities, helping children feel more comfortable in social, school, and sporting environments.
4. Myopia control: recently, new contact lens designs have been developed specifically to correct blurred vision and help slow the progression of myopia at the same time – combining short-term benefits with long-term protection.

There are two main categories of contact lenses that can help to slow the worsening of myopia: soft contact lenses, and orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses. 

Let’s look at these two in more detail.

Soft contact lenses are breathable, flexible, thin lenses that cover the surface of the eye, providing clear and comfortable vision while looking in any direction.

Daily disposable lenses are the most commonly prescribed type of soft contact lens for children and teenagers, and are only worn during the day and discarded immediately after being removed.1 

Monthly or bi-weekly disposable lenses should be cleaned, disinfected, and stored in a contact lens case regularly to minimize the risk of eye infection.

Soft contact lenses for myopia control are specially designed to correct blurred vision while also slowing the progression of myopia. Unlike standard single-vision lenses, they work by optimizing how light is focused at the retina – the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye.

Light entering through centre of the lens is focused directly on the retina for sharp vision, while peripheral light is directed slightly in front of it. This sends a signal to the eye to slow excessive eye growth, which is responsible for myopia progression in children.

Several products use slightly different optical designs to achieve this effect. When worn consistently, the most effective soft contact lenses for myopia control have been shown to slow myopia progression by at least 50% compared to standard single-vision lenses.2

Soft contact lenses that are used for myopia control include (availability may vary by country):

• CooperVision MiSight 1 day
• Johnson & Johnson Abiliti 1-Day
• Menicon Bloom Day
• Mark’ennovy MYLO
• Seed 1dayPure EDOF
• CooperVision Biofinity Multifocal (centre-distance only)

Orthokeratology, or ortho‑k, involves wearing specially designed rigid contact lenses overnight to gently and temporarily reshape the eye.

When worn during sleep, light pressure from the ortho-k lens helps to reshape the cornea – the clear front surface of the eye. The cornea is compressed in some areas and expands in others to match the shape of the ortho-k lens, leading to a temporary correction in prescription. After the lenses are removed in the morning, the cornea holds its new shape, giving clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses.

Ortho-k has been extensively researched and is a well-established myopia control treatment. When professionally fitted and worn consistently, it has been shown to slow myopia progression by at least 50% compared to standard single-vision lenses.3,4

Ortho-k lens systems designed for myopia control include (availability may vary by country):

• CooperVision DreamLite MC
• Paragon CRT
• Johnson & Johnson Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses
• Menicon Bloom Night

Contact lenses are safe for children to wear, provided that the lenses are used correctly, good hygiene is practiced, and regular check-ups are maintained with an optometrist or eye doctor. 

Soft contact lenses have an excellent safety record in children, particularly daily disposable lenses that eliminate the need for cleaning or storage. Daily disposable soft contact lenses are safest, with a risk of eye infection being around 1 case per 5,000 wearers, per year.7 While age is not the only factor, research shows that myopia control soft contact lenses are safe and well tolerated in children as young as 7.2,8,9

Ortho-k lenses are safe to wear when proper cleaning and care routines are followed. To reduce the risk of eye infection, lenses should be cleaned and disinfected every day and stored in a clean case. Research shows that the risk of infection with ortho-k is very low when good hygiene is maintained. The safety of ortho-k is comparable to daytime reusable soft contact lenses and safer than sleeping in soft lenses. 

If you’re considering contact lenses for your child, visit your optometrist to see if they are suitable. 

Most children are suitable for contact lenses, provided they have healthy eyes and can follow simple hygiene and handling routines. Your eye care practitioner can advise on the most suitable options, as other factors also come into play – such as your child’s lifestyle, preferences, and what’s available in your region.

If your child isn’t quite ready for contact lenses, there are also other effective options for myopia control, including glasses and atropine eye drops.