Myopia progression is best predicted by age, with younger onset associated with faster advancement and, eventually, higher levels of myopia. Myopia control alternatives should be explained to parents of any myopic child, but especially those under the age of 12. Myopia mitigation should be prioritized for children presenting with the following risk factors: parental myopia, reduced time outdoors, East Asian ethnicity, less than age expected hyperopia and female gender.
Unfortunately, there is insufficient evidence that any myopia control treatments will be effective in slowing cases of pathologic myopia. Pathologic or degenerative myopia is defined as the presence of structural changes due to axial elongation in eyes with high myopia. Fortunately, most children develop what’s often known as “school age” myopia, which is generally well-managed with current myopia control treatments.