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Ordinary soft contact lenses do absolutely nothing to slow down changes in myopia. However, several companies have developed soft contact lenses which specifically were designed to manage myopia. These lenses have several optical powers combined into the optics of the lens, and have been shown to be effective in controlling myopia. The preferred companies have introduced these lenses in a daily-use modality. In other words, they are used once, and discarded. As a result they are convenient, and a very healthy way to wear contact lenses. Unlike orthokeratology, these lenses are used during the day, and need to be removed at night. They are comfortable, and easy to adapt to. As a result of not sleeping with these lenses on the eyes, the risk of infection and inflammation is slightly lower with this modality of lens. No storage or disinfection solution is required with these lenses, but moisturizing drops may be used, as required. Soft lenses used for myopia control are larger in diameter than orthokeratology lenses, but wearing these lenses during the day is typically comfortable and can be inserted on the eye easily.

This type of lenses are effective for children, and reference to their effectiveness with summaries are included below. The first FDA-approved soft contact lens for myopia control was shown to both slow down myopia as well as having a positive effect on axial length. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-contact-lens-indicated-slow-progression-nearsightedness-children The data in this study were consistent at each time point (6 month intervals), demonstrating approximately 0.90D decrease in myopic progression (approximately 90 percent), as compared to the rate of progression of children at these practices prior to wearing NaturalVue Multifocal contact lenses (N=305 eyes). https://reviewofmm.com/new-clinical-evidence-through-five-years-naturalvue-multifocal/ Addressing the issue of whether to choose myopia control for your child, the World Council of Optometry recommends that myopia control be considered as standard of care for children. https://www.healio.com/news/optometry/20210414/world-council-of-optometry-says-myopia-management-should-be-standard-of-care

Contact lenses are not for everyone, based on many factors. However, parents should not simply put their child into ordinary eyeglasses when the science says something completely different. As with the contact lens designs, the design of the eyeglasses have one optical power in the center, and a different optical configuration in the periphery. There are several optical manufacturers which have designed these lenses exclusively for the control of myopia in children. The common element is the alteration of the optics of the periphery which affects eye growth in a positive way. One of the manufacturers , Zeiss has a promotional video which explains their lens system and illustrates the science behind these lenses: https://www.zeiss.ca/vision-care/en/for-eye-care-professionals/products/eyeglass-lenses/myopia-management-lens-solutions.html?vaURL=www.zeiss.ca%2Fmyopiamanagement&wvideo=la2v2q2544 The data related to the effectiveness of specific eyeglass lens designs in reducing myopia has been widely published. Considerable advances have been made in the designs of these types , and a summary of the types of lenses and the effectiveness appears in the following article. https://reviewofmm.com/whats-new-in-spectacle-lenses-for-myopia-management/ In summary, the choices are many when it comes to the control of myopia. Whatever the choice of therapy, although the initial choice or vision correction is important, the careful monitoring of the child’s progress is critical. This means quarterly visits at the minimum, and modifying the therapy plan is required. There is a cost for any of these therapies, but in the end, the initial costs of the therapy results in a life-long benefit for your child.