Explaining how myopia control works to parents

As clinicians, much of what we do each day can feel routine, shaped by years of education, clinical experience, and an understanding of the science behind our decisions. But for the parents we support, those same decisions can seem unfamiliar or unclear without careful explanation. This can be especially true when it comes to myopia control. While we recognise the importance of slowing myopia progression to safeguard long-term vision, many parents may simply believe their child “just needs a pair of glasses.”

Helping families understand how and why myopia control works is essential to building trust, encouraging adherence, and supporting the best outcomes for the child. In this article, we’ll look at how to communicate the science and purpose of myopia management in a clear, accessible, and reassuring way.

When introducing the concept of myopia to parents, it’s important to keep the explanation simple and relatable. Start by describing myopia as a condition that causes blurry distance vision—often referred to as short-sightedness or near-sightedness. We then explain that children with myopia can usually see well up close (like reading a book), but things in the distance, such as the classroom whiteboard or TV screen, appear blurry.

To explain why this happens, you can say that myopia occurs when the eye grows too quickly and too long, or the cornea is too curved, which causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

You might also highlight how common myopia is becoming, noting that around 30% of the world population was myopic in 2016, and that figure is expected to rise to 50% by 2050. In most western countries this rate is already close to or exceeding 50%, and in Asian countries 60% or more.¹  This helps parents understand that myopia is common and increasing in prevalence, which highlights the importance of monitoring and early management.

It can also be helpful to mention the key contributing factors, including genetics,²  excessive time spent on close-up activities (like reading or screen use),³  under- or over-correction,⁴  and not spending enough time outdoors.⁵  This sets the stage for later conversations around lifestyle guidance and treatment.

By framing the explanation in plain language and linking it to everyday experiences, clinicians can help parents build a clear understanding of what myopia is.

It’s essential to help parents understand why slowing myopia progression matters—not only for their child’s vision today, but also for their lifelong eye health.⁶  Many families may not initially see the urgency for intervention. This is where the communication strategy becomes important.

You can start by focusing on short-term benefits, which tend to be more tangible and motivating for parents. Myopia control can help reduce how often a child’s prescription needs to be updated, leading to more stable vision and fewer new pairs of glasses or contact lenses. This improved stability supports clearer vision between visits, fewer interruptions to learning and sports, and a better overall quality of life.⁷ 

Once this foundation is laid, you can introduce the long-term value. Higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risks of sight-threatening ocular conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma and early cataracts.⁷  Parents don’t always realise that myopia is not just about needing stronger glasses—it’s a progressive condition that can affect lifelong visual health. By slowing progression early, we reduce the likelihood of their child developing these complications in adulthood.^6,7 

Throughout the conversation, aim to use positive, supportive language. Emphasising what treatment can do—rather than focusing on what could go wrong—helps avoid fear-based messaging and builds trust.8  For example, saying “we’re helping protect their long-term eye health” often resonates more than warnings of future vision loss. The Managing Myopia Guidelines Infographics provide a parent-communication panel (see image below) which outlines the short-term and long-term goals of myopia management in this type of positive, benefits-focussed language.

Once parents understand that myopia is likely to worsen over time, and why slowing progression is beneficial in the short-term and long-term, the next step is to introduce how we can actively manage it. There are now multiple evidence-based treatments available that can slow the rate of myopia progression.

You can begin by introducing the four main categories of myopia control treatments, using clear and simple explanations:

• Spectacle lenses designed for myopia control correct vision and include optical zones specifically designed to slow eye growth.
• Soft contact lenses for myopia control have dual-focus or multiple zones of focus are worn during the day, in daily or reusable modalities.
• Orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses are rigid, breathable lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea and provide clear vision during the day while also slowing progression.
• Low-dose atropine eye drops are typically used at night. Children using atropine still require vision correction.

For most children, optical treatments—spectacles, soft contact lenses, or ortho-k—are recommended as first-line choices as they can both correct vision and also provide the dual benefit of slowing progression. You might explain this by saying, “These options help your child see clearly and while also protecting their vision from worsening at a rapid rate.”

To help parents understand effectiveness, it’s useful to explain that no treatment can stop progression entirely, but the best options have been shown to reduce progression by at least 50% when used consistently.

A key part of ensuring these interventions work effectively is ensuring full-time wear. For optical treatments to provide the most benefit, consistent wear is essential. Wearing myopia control spectacles or contact lenses for fewer than 12 hours per day, or removing glasses for near work, has been shown to reduce efficacy.^9-11 

Clear, confident communication is at the heart of successful myopia management. While our clinical decisions may be based on years of experience and scientific evidence, these ideas are often new to parents. By focusing on practical benefits, reinforcing realistic expectations, and using visual tools and trusted resources, we can help families feel informed, supported, and motivated. Ultimately, empowering parents with knowledge strengthens their confidence in the treatment plan—and their partnership in protecting their child’s lifelong vision.