Give your child a better outlook on life.

With this type of myopia treatment, the child only wears special, dimensionally stable contact lenses, called orthokeratology contact lenses or 'ortho-k' for short, while sleeping. These reshape the cornea during the night and are then removed the next morning. This solution addresses the correction of myopia, as it may help to slow down the elongation of the eye and thus the progression of the myopia as well. Generally, a person can see clearly without glasses the next day – but just how well this method works can vary from one day to the next. Moreover, serious side effects can occur.

The progression of myopia amongst children can also be treated with special soft contact lenses. These feature a multifocal design with different powers and are worn like normal contacts during the day. The wearer only sees distant objects clearly through several sections, while other sections of the contact lenses only have any corrective power for near objects. This special geometry sends signals to the eye that can help with controlling myopia.

Important information: in order to prevent bacterial eye infections, the wearer must observe basic hygiene when caring for their contact lenses. This definitely requires special care and assistance from the child's parents, since handling contact lenses can be quite a challenge for young patients.

Pharmaceuticals provide an alternative approach, such as in the form of low-dose atropine eye drops. These don't restore perfect vision, but they help reduce further myopia progression as long as the therapy is continued. However, the long-term side effects and permanent efficacy are not currently known.

Spectacle lenses are the most common method for treating progressive myopia in children and don't show side effects. Standard spectacle lenses primarily correct myopia – but they do not assist with controlling the progress of myopia. There are also special myopia management lenses which not only correct myopia, but simultaneously manage its progression.

Special myopia management spectacle lenses, such as those in the Myopia Management Portfolio from ZEISS, are a convenient method for treating progressive myopia in children. These lenses are designed for treating the progression of myopia and are probably the most comfortable solution for a young patient. Studies have shown that lenses specially designed for myopia management are a better solution than standard single vision lenses.⁸

Since lack of sunlight, more work in the near vision range and too much time indoors are also crucial factors in the emergence of myopia in children, it is recommended that kids spend more time outdoors – in addition to treatment with spectacle lenses. Studies have shown that myopia is less common or progresses less quickly in children who are frequently outside. It has been proven that children enjoy better results by combining myopia management treatments with a healthy lifestyle – including breaks from digital devices like smartphones and tablets!

Please note: spending time outside in the fresh air and getting regular exercise, such as by playing sports, are part of a child's healthy development. In order to protect children's eyes from the damage caused by excessive UV radiation, special glasses for myopia in children must have a UV suitable filter. This is not just true for sunglasses, but also for children's glasses with clear lenses.

ZEISS spectacle lenses for treating myopia in children offer comprehensive UV protection: like sunglasses, they filter out UV radiation completely and protect not only the wearer's eyes, but also the surrounding skin and tissue of the periorbital structures. Moreover, the lenses and frames should be as sturdy as possible so that they don't break and pose a risk of injury when your child is playing. Spectacle lenses with a hard coating to protect against scratches are up to the task – this way the child's glasses don't show signs of wear and tear after their latest adventure on the playground.