Myopia is one of the most common vision conditions in the world, and its prevalence is increasing, particularly in children and young adults. At Pure Sight Eye Surgeons, we diagnose and manage myopia across all age groups, from children requiring myopia control strategies through to adults seeking surgical vision correction.
What Causes Myopia?
Myopia is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors:
- Genetics — if one or both parents are myopic, their children are more likely to develop myopia
- Near work — prolonged close-up activities such as reading, screen use, and studying are associated with myopia development and progression
- Limited outdoor time — research consistently shows that children who spend less time outdoors are at higher risk of developing myopia. Natural daylight appears to play a protective role
Myopia in Children
Childhood myopia is a growing concern in Australia and globally. Myopia that progresses to high levels (typically beyond -5.00 to -6.00 dioptres) carries a significantly increased risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and premature cataracts.
For this reason, there’s increasing focus on myopia control: strategies aimed at slowing the progression of myopia during childhood rather than simply correcting the blur. These may include:
- Atropine eye drops in low concentration
- Specialised contact lenses inducing peripheral defocus
- Encouraging more outdoor time (at least 2 hours per day)
- Managing near work habits with regular breaks
If your child has been diagnosed with myopia, particularly at a young age or if it’s progressing quickly, it’s worth discussing myopia control options with your eye care provider.
Myopia in Adults
In most people, myopia stabilises in the late teens to early 20s. For adults with stable myopia who want to reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses, several surgical options are available:
- Laser eye surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE Pro) — reshapes the cornea to correct the focusing error. Suited for patients with stable prescriptions and adequate corneal health
- ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) — a biocompatible lens implanted inside the eye, in front of the natural lens. Particularly well suited for patients with higher degrees of myopia, younger patients in their early 20s or those not suitable for laser correction due to corneal factors or dry eyes. Dr Chiu was the first surgeon in Australia and New Zealand to implant the ICL Viva, which also corrects presbyopia
- Refractive lens exchange (RLE) — replacing the natural lens with an artificial lens. Generally more appropriate for patients over 45 to 50, and in myopic patients, older
The best option depends on the degree of myopia, your age, corneal health, and individual eye anatomy. Dr Chiu assesses each patient individually and will recommend the procedure most likely to deliver a good long-term result.
High Myopia
High myopia (generally a prescription beyond -5.00 to -6.00 dioptres) carries additional risks beyond blurred distance vision. The elongated eye shape associated with high myopia puts greater mechanical stress on the retina and other structures. People with high myopia should have regular dilated retinal examinations to check for early signs of complications such as peripheral retinal changes, lattice degeneration, macular changes, and retinal detachment.
If you have high myopia, it’s also important to seek urgent assessment if you notice a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow appearing in your peripheral vision, as these may indicate a retinal tear or detachment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can myopia be cured?
Myopia can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery, but it can’t be ‘cured’ in the sense that the eye returns to its normal length. Surgical options provide excellent correction that can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses.
Will my child's myopia keep getting worse?
Myopia typically progresses during childhood and teenage years before stabilising in early adulthood. The rate of progression varies between individuals. Myopia control strategies can help slow progression and reduce the final level of myopia reached.
Is screen time causing my child's myopia?
Prolonged near work, including screen use, is a risk factor for myopia development and progression. However, the relationship is complex and involves genetic factors too. Encouraging outdoor time and regular breaks from close-up tasks are the most practical steps parents can take.
Am I suitable for laser eye surgery with high myopia?
It depends on several factors including your prescription, corneal thickness, corneal health, and other eye measurements. Patients with higher myopia may be better suited to ICL surgery than laser correction. Dr Chiu will assess your individual suitability during a consultation.