Myopia Control Options Compared: Lenses, Contacts, Ortho-K, and Atropine

There is no single best myopia control treatment. There is a best fit for a particular child. Here are the four main categories.

1. Myopia control spectacle lenses

Lenses such as Essilor Stellest use peripheral lenslets to create defocus signals while a clear center corrects distance vision. Stellest received FDA market authorization in September 2025 for children 6–12 at initiation.

• Pros: No contact lens handling, no drops, easy to supervise, works for younger children

• Cons: Only works when worn; usually self-pay; mild peripheral blur during adaptation

2. Soft multifocal / dual-focus contact lenses

Daily disposable designs such as MiSight have been FDA approved since 2019 for children 8–12 at initiation.

• Pros: No glasses on the face, good for sports, strong evidence base

• Cons: Requires hygiene discipline, daily handling, and a cooperative child; ongoing supply cost

3. Orthokeratology (ortho-k)

Rigid lenses worn overnight that temporarily reshape the cornea, giving clear vision during the day without correction.

• Pros: Nothing worn during the day, effective, appealing to athletes

• Cons: Higher fitting complexity and cost, strict hygiene requirements, small but real infection risk

4. Low-dose atropine drops

A nightly diluted drop, typically in the 0.01%–0.05% range, compounded by a pharmacy.

• Pros: Simple, inexpensive relative to devices, can be combined with optical treatments

• Cons: Still requires glasses for correction; possible light sensitivity or near blur at higher concentrations; compounding availability varies

How the choice is usually made

Young child who cannot handle contacts, parents want supervision → spectacle lenses. Athletic pre-teen, responsible with hygiene → soft contacts or ortho-k. Fast progression despite optical treatment → combination therapy with atropine. Budget constrained → atropine plus standard glasses plus outdoor time is far better than nothing.

What all four share

None reverse myopia. All require annual or semi-annual follow-up. All work better started early.

Schedule an appointment

Advanced Vision Care serves families across Florida and accepts Florida Medicaid plans including Sunshine Health. Call our office to verify your benefits and schedule a comprehensive eye exam.

This article is general information, not medical advice, and coverage details can change by plan year. Confirm your specific benefits with your plan and discuss your child's care with your eye doctor.