DR. MD Maksude Mowla › Services › Myopia Clinic
Our Myopia Clinic focuses on the early detection, monitoring, and control of progressive myopia in children and young adults. We offer comprehensive eye examinations, personalized management plans, and evidence-based strategies to reduce myopia progression and protect long-term eye health.
Our specialists are available 6 days a week for in-person and virtual consultations.
Myopia — commonly known as short-sightedness or nearsightedness — is a refractive condition in which distant objects appear blurred while close objects remain clear. It occurs when the eye grows slightly too long, causing incoming light to focus just in front of the retina rather than precisely on it.
Myopia is one of the most common eye conditions in the world and its prevalence is rising rapidly, particularly in children and young adults. It typically begins in childhood, progresses through the teenage years, and usually stabilises in the early twenties.
While mild myopia is easily corrected with spectacles or contact lenses, high myopia — prescriptions above -6.00 dioptres — is associated with a significantly increased risk of serious eye complications in later life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy.
Our Myopia Clinic offers accurate assessment, effective correction, and evidence-based myopia control strategies to protect your child’s vision and slow progression during the critical development years.
Myopia is classified by severity and behaviour:
Low Myopia
Prescription up to -3.00 dioptres. Vision is easily corrected with spectacles or contact lenses. Risk of complications is low.
Moderate Myopia
Prescription between -3.00 and -6.00 dioptres. Clear vision requires optical correction. The risk of progression and future complications is higher than low myopia.
High Myopia
Prescription greater than -6.00 dioptres. Associated with structural changes inside the eye — the eye is physically longer than normal. Increases the long-term risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, early cataracts, and myopic macular degeneration. Regular retinal monitoring is essential.
Progressive Myopia
Myopia that worsens rapidly — particularly in school-age children. An annual increase of 0.50 dioptres or more in prescription, or axial length growth above expected norms, warrants active myopia control intervention.
Pathological (Degenerative) Myopia
A severe form in which structural changes to the eye wall lead to vision-threatening complications including choroidal neovascularisation, retinal detachment, and macular hole. Requires ongoing specialist monitoring.
In children, myopia often becomes apparent when they:
• Have difficulty seeing the classroom whiteboard or chalkboard
• Sit very close to the television or hold screens very near to their face
• Squint when trying to see something in the distance
• Frequently complain of headaches, especially after school
• Show disinterest in activities requiring distance vision (e.g. sport)
• Perform below expected levels at school
In adults, symptoms include:
• Blurred vision when driving, watching television, or reading road signs
• Difficulty in low-light or night-time conditions
• Eye strain and fatigue after prolonged distance activities
In high myopia, additional symptoms may develop:
• New or increased floaters in the visual field
• Flashes of light, particularly in peripheral vision
• A sudden shadow, curtain, or veil in the visual field — this requires urgent same-day assessment as it may indicate retinal detachment
Comprehensive assessment in our Myopia Clinic includes:
Visual Acuity Assessment
Measuring unaided and corrected vision at distance and near.
Refraction
Determining the precise spectacle or contact lens prescription. In children, cycloplegic refraction (using dilating drops to temporarily relax the focusing muscle) gives the most accurate result and prevents over- or under-prescription.
Axial Length Measurement
Measures the physical length of the eye from the front surface to the retina. Axial length is the most objective and reliable measure of myopia progression. Regular measurements guide the decision to start or adjust myopia control treatment.
Corneal Topography
Maps the shape and curvature of the cornea. Useful for contact lens fitting and pre-surgical planning.
Dilated Retinal Examination
Essential in moderate and high myopia. Checks for retinal thinning, lattice degeneration, holes, or tears that may indicate a higher risk of retinal detachment.
Spectacle Correction
The simplest and most common form of myopia correction. Must be worn consistently, particularly in children — avoiding spectacles does not prevent myopia from worsening and may worsen it.
Contact Lenses
Suitable for older children and adults. Daily disposable lenses offer good hygiene. Orthokeratology lenses (see below) provide both correction and myopia control.
Myopia Control — For Children with Progressive Myopia
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops (0.01–0.05%)
Nightly atropine drops are among the most effective and well-studied myopia control interventions. Studies show a 50–60% reduction in progression rate. Very well tolerated with minimal side effects at low doses.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Specially designed rigid contact lenses worn overnight. They temporarily reshape the cornea, providing clear unaided vision throughout the day, while simultaneously slowing axial eye growth.
Myopia Control Spectacle Lenses
Specially designed lenses (e.g., DIMS, Stellest, MiSight) correct vision and reduce the peripheral defocus that drives eye elongation.
Laser Vision Correction — For Adults with Stable Myopia
LASIK, SMILE, and PRK permanently reshape the cornea to eliminate the need for spectacles or contact lenses. Candidates should have a stable prescription for at least 1–2 years.
Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)
For patients with high myopia or thin corneas unsuitable for laser surgery. An ICL is placed in front of the natural lens inside the eye — reversible and highly effective.
For children with myopia or progressive myopia:
• Refraction every 6 months to monitor prescription change
• Axial length measurement every 6 months to track eye growth
• Myopia control treatment is adjusted based on progression rate
• Ensure spectacles or contact lenses are always up-to-date and wearing correctly
For adults with stable myopia:
• Annual eye examination including refraction and dilated retinal check
• Retinal monitoring every 12–24 months in moderate and high myopia
• Prompt review if new floaters, flashes of light, or visual changes occur
After laser vision correction:
• Day 1, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months post-procedure
Lifestyle guidance for all ages:
• Outdoor time: At least 90 minutes daily of outdoor activity reduces myopia risk and slows progression in children
• The 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes of near work, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds
• Maintain adequate reading distance (at least 30 cm)
• Good lighting when reading or using screens
• Avoid prolonged use of screens in dark environments
Common questions about myopia control and management in children
Myopia (short-sightedness) is a refractive condition where distant objects appear blurry. In children, rapidly progressive myopia is a concern because high myopia significantly increases the lifetime risk of serious complications including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Myopia commonly begins between the ages of 6 and 12 and tends to progress fastest during the school years, slowing in the late teens or early twenties. Children with both parents who are myopic have a significantly higher risk of developing the condition.
Evidence-based options include low-dose atropine eye drops, orthokeratology (overnight contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea), multifocal soft contact lenses, and specially designed spectacle lenses such as DIMS or HALT lenses. The best choice depends on the child’s age, degree of myopia, and lifestyle.
There is currently no cure for myopia. However, myopia control treatments can significantly slow the rate of progression, reducing the final degree of short-sightedness. Refractive surgery options such as LASIK are available for adults once myopia has stabilised, but these correct vision rather than reverse the underlying condition.
Children enrolled in the Myopia Clinic are typically reviewed every 3–6 months. Regular follow-up allows refraction, axial length, and progression rate to be monitored so that the management plan can be adjusted as needed. Consistent attendance is important for the best long-term outcome.
