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Original poster

Glasses to reduce progression of myopia

67 replies

snowgirl1 · 23/09/2023 16:02

DD (11 yrs old) went to the opticians last week. Her short-sightedness has got worse in the last year (from -1 to -1.5). The optician (a big chain optician) is recommending a lens which can help reduce the rate at which DD's eyesight will get worse. Has anyone done this? Any feedback?

The lens costs c.£220 and the optician says the edges can be blurry. I'm a bit concerned that I could shell out for these lenses and DD says she can't cope with the blurry edges. I also don't know if the lens will really make that much difference and it's just the chain optician trying to upsell.

Any feedback from anyone who's tried the lenses (or opticians!) would be much appreciated!

OP posts:
NewspaperTaxis · 24/09/2023 23:13

This is great news, this thread. From a selfish pov, the only post that interests me is that of @SmartiesParty who says they are an adult and is using the contact lens version and they work - does that mean the glasses might work for adults too?
My eyesight has worsened since lockdown and I took to a PC, it's hard to restrict myself.
I wonder if they aren't a bit like hair loss pills (I'm a bloke btw!) where you can get them but never quite be sure if they're working and then you daren't give them up, sort of like having your set lottery numbers and then having to play every week in case your numbers come up the week you stop! Or something.

SmartiesParty · 24/09/2023 23:20

@NewspaperTaxis it's definitely worth asking your optometrist. At the time I got them it really wasn't the norm for an adult to have them and I think my optometrist said I was the first adult I'd given them to. It might be more common for adult usage now though. Definitely worth some research into it

Tbh I don't care if it was natural stopping of my deterioration or the contact lenses at least it stopped!

NewspaperTaxis · 24/09/2023 23:28

Thanks SP! I'm going to sleep now.

That reminds me, when I was a teenager some decades ago a contemporary had a miraculous experience! He went to sleep and when he work up, his eyesight was miraculously cured! He was filled with wonder and joy.
Then his heart sank as he realised he'd gone to sleep with his contact lenses in, and somehow had to scrape them off his eye balls...
Sleep dreams everyone!

Interested in this thread?

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General health
Gillstuck · 24/09/2023 23:38

I didn't know this tech existed! Why did I not know this?! I am about -3.5 and it is still deteriorating. I would give anything for my DC not to have short sight. Thank you MN.

JustAMinutePleass · 24/09/2023 23:44

They work and will save her a fortune because myopia only gets worse. The logic behind them is that normal myopia lenses actually make short sightedness in the edges of your field of vision worse & the lens itself can make short sightedness worse. It’s the reason why most opticians no longer treat really minor prescriptions in young children unless there’s a family history of early / severe myopia.

To give you an example I was -1.5 in both eyes at all. I’m in my 40s now and -6.5. Since the age of 25 my annual lens spend is approx £300ish as I need to thin them for them to be remotely comfortable. So if you have the opportunity to spend £300 now to keep him at -1/-1.5 take it!

JustAMinutePleass · 24/09/2023 23:45

11 not all

Panic71 · 15/01/2024 22:15

JinxMonsoon · 24/09/2023 19:08

DS had them for the past 2 years, before them his vision was declining rapidly at every check up. He started at -1.5 at ended at -3.0 wearing standard lenses. His progression stopped completely with the lenses and at the last checkup he actually started to improve. He wears them interchangeably with myopia control contact lenses. For us they were worth every penny.

Would love to know how you have continued to get on

cudbywestrangers · 15/01/2024 22:28

We're about to order the contract lenses for ds (10) I'm moderately shortsighted and DH has a high prescription. Our opticians have a machine that estimates how myopia is expected to progress and ds is on course to end up with a high prescription. I think he's -1.5 at the moment and doesn't like wearing his glasses so we're going to try the daytime contacts (his choice!) and hope it holds the prescription fairly steady...

Panic71 · 15/01/2024 22:41

cudbywestrangers · 15/01/2024 22:28

We're about to order the contract lenses for ds (10) I'm moderately shortsighted and DH has a high prescription. Our opticians have a machine that estimates how myopia is expected to progress and ds is on course to end up with a high prescription. I think he's -1.5 at the moment and doesn't like wearing his glasses so we're going to try the daytime contacts (his choice!) and hope it holds the prescription fairly steady...

How old is your son?
My son is 16 and started the Mysight lenses on Saturday. He’s -0,50 and -0.75

Panic71 · 15/01/2024 22:42

Panic71 · 15/01/2024 22:41

How old is your son?
My son is 16 and started the Mysight lenses on Saturday. He’s -0,50 and -0.75

Show quote history

Sorry you said 10!
hope the lens trial goes well

cudbywestrangers · 15/01/2024 22:54

Thank you! Fingers crossed... I've just got to actually phone up and book the appointments now

Anxiousmom2024 · 23/02/2024 19:49

My son who is 9 years old had a huge jump in 6 months and his current prescription is -2.5 in the left and -.75 in the right. He also has cylindrical power (astigmatism). My daughter who is 6 also has myopia and I am growing very concerned.

Optometrist suggested Miyosmart spectacles for my son and I am really keen to know if this is good to control myopia. I am also following on anecdotal stuff about lens induced myopia. No idea if those suggestions are for kids. My only hope seems to be these glasses. Did anyone have any recent eye examination suggesting that it works over a period of time?

fishfingersandtoes · 23/02/2024 19:56

DD had these and also tried the contract lenses. She didn't get on with either of them (headaches, itchy eyes) and they didn't slow progression (went from -3ish to -6ish between age 8 & age 10) eventually went on low dose atropine drops which have a better evidence base and she's stabilized at -6. She's been there now for 3 years.

Panic71 · 24/02/2024 08:24

low dose atropine drops don’t seem to be available in the UK

Janek · 24/02/2024 08:44

My DD has had these lenses for 2.5 years now. She has not needed a new prescription in this time, when previously she got one every six months. I wish she had been able to get them sooner and that they had done a harder sell on them at the time (I only went with them on a whim, but they seem to be some kind of miracle!).

Anxiousmom2024 · 24/02/2024 15:51

Janek · 24/02/2024 08:44

My DD has had these lenses for 2.5 years now. She has not needed a new prescription in this time, when previously she got one every six months. I wish she had been able to get them sooner and that they had done a harder sell on them at the time (I only went with them on a whim, but they seem to be some kind of miracle!).

Does your child use them all waking hours?

Given all the talk about lens induced myopia, I am a bit worried if using the spectacles is in itself a hazard for progression of myopia. Looks like the myopia control glasses are dealing with this... but it would be great to know from your experience if keeping these glasses all the time worked.

Janek · 24/02/2024 20:07

Yes, she wears them all the time. She used to like to read in bed without glasses for some reason, but she was told she mustn't do that any more, once she got these glasses.

She has worn glasses since she was seven, she probably should have worn them sooner, but we didn't realise how short sighted she was. When she first got them that optician told her she should wear them when she needs them (eg looking at the board), but not at other times. She found that very hard because she really couldn't see. Then the next optician wondered why she wasn't wearing them when she went for her appointment. Her sight was always worse between appointments (including when she had hardly worn the glasses, as instructed, and when she wore them all the time) until she got the Myosmart ones 2.5 years ago (she was fifteen, I think). She has had no change since then.

Anxiousmom2024 · 24/02/2024 20:49

Janek · 24/02/2024 20:07

Yes, she wears them all the time. She used to like to read in bed without glasses for some reason, but she was told she mustn't do that any more, once she got these glasses.

She has worn glasses since she was seven, she probably should have worn them sooner, but we didn't realise how short sighted she was. When she first got them that optician told her she should wear them when she needs them (eg looking at the board), but not at other times. She found that very hard because she really couldn't see. Then the next optician wondered why she wasn't wearing them when she went for her appointment. Her sight was always worse between appointments (including when she had hardly worn the glasses, as instructed, and when she wore them all the time) until she got the Myosmart ones 2.5 years ago (she was fifteen, I think). She has had no change since then.

Your reply means a lot to me. I am now a bit relieved and would get my DS to wear them regularly.

Janek · 25/02/2024 10:57

I'm glad! The instructions were definitely to wear them all the time. And you need to continue to wear them until you stop growing, or all the good they have done will be undone!

WeAreBorg · 25/02/2024 11:07

My DS has these - obviously I don’t really know rapidly his sight would have deteriorated without them, but mine did dramatically around his age so I’m using me as the comparator (very unscientific!)
He’s had a growth spurt since he’s had them with minimal impact on his prescription over a couple of years ish (-0.25 change), so I would definitely recommend!

Anxiousmom2024 · 26/02/2024 09:36

WeAreBorg · 25/02/2024 11:07

My DS has these - obviously I don’t really know rapidly his sight would have deteriorated without them, but mine did dramatically around his age so I’m using me as the comparator (very unscientific!)
He’s had a growth spurt since he’s had them with minimal impact on his prescription over a couple of years ish (-0.25 change), so I would definitely recommend!

Progression of only -0.25 over a few years is impressive. My optometrist said she would expect at least -0.25 every 6 months or more wirh Single Vision Glasses. Thankful for this thread and for the replies.

SpringOfContentment · 26/02/2024 09:47

Antidata here.
DS and his mate both have (had) bad, deteriorating, eyesight.
Mate went for the expensive glasses. Eyes have deteriorated slightly - less than normal.
DS had standard lenses. And for the first time in forever, his script hasn't changed.
So, yes, they might well work. They also might just align with the point that eyesight stops deteriorating.

Panic71 · 07/03/2024 05:28

WeAreBorg · 25/02/2024 11:07

My DS has these - obviously I don’t really know rapidly his sight would have deteriorated without them, but mine did dramatically around his age so I’m using me as the comparator (very unscientific!)
He’s had a growth spurt since he’s had them with minimal impact on his prescription over a couple of years ish (-0.25 change), so I would definitely recommend!

How old is your DS? My sight started dropped massively aged 13. I went from 20/20 to -6.
My DS is 16 and just moved from 20/20 to -0.75 so I’m hoping the myopia control works for him.

WeAreBorg · 07/03/2024 19:17

Panic71 · 07/03/2024 05:28

How old is your DS? My sight started dropped massively aged 13. I went from 20/20 to -6.
My DS is 16 and just moved from 20/20 to -0.75 so I’m hoping the myopia control works for him.

Show quote history

He’s 13. Hope it works for both our DC :)

MigGirl · 07/03/2024 19:40

We have never been offered the glasses for DD, but where offered the contact lenses. When I looked into it, the chances of them actually making a big difference seemed low and not worth the cost. Would have been £90 a month at that point for them. I would have tried the lenses though.

She seems to have settled at around -4.5 at 16 and wears normal contact lenses.

For what it worth my eyes have never not changed I'm over -10 now in my 40's. But have never been stable long enough to even consider laser eye surgery.