Myopia (short-sightedness) is rising fast among Australian children, and the good news is that we can now do far more than simply update glasses each year. At Mark Hinds Optometrists, we use evidence-based treatments designed to slow how quickly myopia progresses, protecting your child’s long-term eye health. Soft contact lenses have become one of the most popular tools in that kit, and the technology keeps improving.
How they work
Myopia control soft lenses use clever optics to create “myopic defocus” — a gentle, out-of-focus signal at the edges of the retina that tells the eye to slow its growth. Unlike ordinary lenses that only sharpen central vision, these are purpose-built to ease the elongation of the eye that drives worsening prescriptions.
What’s available now
The benchmark remains MiSight 1 day (CooperVision), the first soft contact lens approved specifically for myopia control. Its dual-focus design is backed by a remarkable seven-year clinical study and typically slows progression by around 50–60% compared with standard single-vision lenses. As a daily disposable, it’s hygienic and simple for children to manage.
A strong newer option is Acuvue Abiliti 1-Day (Johnson & Johnson), the first daily disposable silicone hydrogel lens designed for myopia control. Its RingBoost technology builds a powerful treatment signal into the lens while keeping vision crisp, and three-year data is impressive: over 55% of treated eyes showed no clinically meaningful progression, with around 95% of children seeing 6/6 or better.
Newer extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) designs are an exciting area of innovation. Lenses such as MYLO, SEED 1dayPure EDOF and NaturalVue use a continuous change in lens power to blur the peripheral image in a different way, with encouraging international data on slowing axial growth. NaturalVue also suits stronger prescriptions and some astigmatism, widening who can benefit.
Why orthokeratology is still the gold standard
As impressive as soft lenses are, orthokeratology (orthoK) remains the gold standard for many children. OrthoK lenses are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea, so the child sees clearly all day with no daytime lenses or glasses at all.
The key advantage is that the therapy is always in play. Because the corneal reshaping persists through the day, the myopic defocus that slows eye growth is working every waking hour — not only while a lens sits on the eye. Combined with the freedom of lens-free days for sport and school, that continuous treatment effect is why orthoK continues to set the standard.
The right fit for your child
Every child is different. Book a myopia management consultation with us, and we’ll recommend the option that best matches your child’s prescription, lifestyle and eye health.