®
Eye without myopia
Light focuses on the retina, producing a clear image.
Pediatric myopia · assessment and monitoring
Childhood myopia: assessment, optical correction and progression management
Pediatric myopia management includes correction of refractive error and, when clinically indicated, evidence-based interventions to slow refractive progression and/or axial elongation. At Axa Optic® Clinic in Bârlad, children with myopia are assessed by an ophthalmologist; evaluation may include ocular biometry to measure axial length. Regular monitoring helps tailor the progression-control strategy to each child.
Optical correctionMonitoring refraction and axial length.
01 · Understanding myopia
What is myopia?
Myopia (nearsightedness) is a refractive error that makes distant objects appear blurred. In children, myopia may change as the eye grows.
Myopic eye
Light focuses in front of the retina, often because the eye is longer, making distance vision blurred.
02 · Illustrative simulator
Illustrative distance-vision simulation
Selecting a value illustrates how distance-image clarity may change. The simulation does not reproduce an individual’s exact visual experience.
Simulator0 D-1 D-2 D-3 D-4 D-6 D
For illustration only. Actual visual perception varies between individuals.
03 · Myopia in childhood
Myopia during the growing years
Myopia can begin in childhood and progress during the growing years. Earlier onset generally allows a longer period during which progression may occur.
Monitoring includes refraction and, when available and clinically indicated, axial length.
Axial lengthAxial length is the distance between the front and back of the eye. Faster axial elongation may accompany myopia progression.
04 · Myopia-control spectacle lenses
Spectacle lenses designed to slow myopia progression.
Myopia-control spectacle lenses have two distinct goals: correcting vision and using an optical design intended to slow myopia progression. Technologies differ in geometry and optical mechanism. Selection is individualized after an ophthalmic examination, assessment of progression and the measurements needed for accurate lens centration.
clear
D.I.M.S.
Multiple defocus segments
Commercial example: HOYA MiYOSMART. A central distance-correction zone is surrounded by multiple positive-power segments that simultaneously provide clear vision and myopic defocus. The segments in the DIMS clinical trial had a power of +3.50 D.
Published results
Lam et al., Br J Ophthalmol · PMID 31142465In a two-year randomized trial involving children aged 8–13, myopia progression was 52% slower and axial elongation 62% lower than with single-vision lenses. Study findings do not guarantee the same response for every child.
clear
C.A.R.E.
Cylindrical annular refractive elements
Commercial example: ZEISS MyoCare. The clear central zone is surrounded by a treatment area with cylindrical refractive elements arranged in concentric rings. In the multicenter CARE trial, the tested design had a 7 mm central zone and a mean element power of +4.6 D.
Published results
Chen et al., Am J Ophthalmol · PMID 40517999CEME Study Group, Ophthalmology Science · PMID 42571354At 24 months, the randomized study reported approximately 0.44 D less progression and 0.20 mm less axial elongation compared with single-vision lenses. A two-year European study also found reduced refractive progression and axial elongation.
clear
H.A.L.T. / HAL
Aspherical lenslets around the central zone
Commercial example: Essilor Stellest. Highly aspherical lenslets are distributed in concentric zones around a clear central viewing area. The design aims to create a volume of myopic defocus in front of the retina while maintaining central optical correction.
Published results
Bao et al., JAMA Ophthalmol · PMID 35357402In the two-year randomized trial, highly aspherical lenslet spectacles reduced progression by a mean difference of 0.80 D and axial elongation by 0.35 mm compared with single-vision lenses. Greater effectiveness was observed in children who wore the lenses longer.
The percentages and differences above come from clinical studies of groups of children and are not individual guarantees. Response depends on age, progression rate, wearing time, biometric profile and other factors. Axa Optic® MyopiaTrack Junior monitors both refraction and axial length to assess each child's response.
Clinical sources and evidence
International Myopia Institute (IMI). Myopia Correction, Myopia Control and Myopia Management: Definitions and Recommended Usage. 2025.
International Myopia Institute (IMI). IMI 2025 Digest.
Lam CSY et al. Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses slow myopia progression: a 2-year randomised clinical trial. Br J Ophthalmol. 2020. PubMed
Chen X et al. Efficacy of Cylindrical Annular Refractive Elements (CARE) Spectacle Lenses in Slowing Myopia Progression Over 2 Years. Am J Ophthalmol. 2025. PubMed
Alvarez-Peregrina C et al. Two-Year Efficacy of Cylindrical Annular Refractive Elements Spectacle Lenses for Myopia Control in European Children. Ophthalmology Science. 2026. PubMed
Bao J et al. Spectacle Lenses With Aspherical Lenslets for Myopia Control vs Single-Vision Spectacle Lenses: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022. PubMed
Gupta V et al. Comparative evaluation of DIMS, HALT and CARE spectacle designs. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2025. PubMed
05 · Pediatric myopia management
Myopia management combines optical correction with efforts to slow progression
The initial assessment establishes baseline measurements and a progression profile. When indicated, evidence-based myopia-control interventions may be used; effectiveness is monitored through refraction and axial-length measurements.
Corrects refractive error and improves visual acuity.
Aims to slow myopia progression while also correcting vision.
Axa Optic® MyopiaTrack Junior
A program to control and monitor myopia progression in children
The protocol includes baseline assessment, selection of an intervention when indicated, regular monitoring of refraction and axial length, and reassessment of the strategy based on progress.
View the Axa Optic® MyopiaTrack Junior program detailsInitial assessment + six-month follow-up
Initial assessment
- myopia-focused history: age at onset, family history, symptoms, previous prescriptions, near work, screen use and time spent outdoors;
- visual acuity without correction and with current correction, for each eye and both eyes together;
- objective and subjective refraction; cycloplegia when indicated by the ophthalmologist;
- examination of the anterior segment and fundus, when indicated;
- ocular biometry measuring axial length in each eye, establishing a baseline for subsequent monitoring;
- review of changes in refraction and assessment of the child's individual progression and risk profile;
- assessment of whether myopia-control lenses are indicated and selection based on the child's clinical and progression profile;
- final prescription and necessary optical measurements: monocular pupillary distance, fitting heights, frame selection and checking frame position;
- wearing and monitoring plan, visual-hygiene advice and follow-up schedule;
- baseline record with prescription, visual acuity, right/left axial length and date of the next review.
Six-month follow-up
- reassessment of visual acuity and refraction;
- repeat axial-length measurement in both eyes;
- comparison with baseline values and calculation of progression in diopters and millimeters;
- check of spectacle wear, frame position, centration and lens condition;
- review of visual habits and time spent outdoors;
- decision to maintain, adjust or change the myopia-control strategy;
- update of the Axa Optic® MyopiaTrack Junior record and scheduling of the next review.
Children enrolled in the program receive a preferential rate for the six-month follow-up. The ophthalmologist may recommend an earlier review if the progression rate or risk profile warrants it.
Comprehensive initial assessment
- ophthalmic consultation and visual-acuity assessment;
- objective and subjective refraction; cycloplegia when indicated by the ophthalmologist;
- assessment of ocular structures;
- baseline axial-length measurement;
- family history, age at onset, near work and time spent outdoors;
- assessment of individual risk and establishment of baseline values for monitoring.
Prescription and dedicated optical solution
- individualized prescription for full myopia correction;
- recommendation, when indicated, of spectacle lenses specifically designed to slow myopia progression;
- accurate centration measurements and suitable frame selection to position the optical zones correctly;
- verification of lens fitting and adaptation check after the spectacles are dispensed.
Regular monitoring
- visual acuity and refraction;
- repeat axial-length measurement and comparison with baseline;
- assessment of progression in diopters and axial length;
- check of wearing habits, frame, centration and lens condition;
- review of visual habits and adjustment of the plan if progression warrants it.
Preferential follow-up rate
For children enrolled in the program, regular follow-up visits cost less than the initial assessment. Spectacle lenses and frames are charged separately according to the optical solution selected.
The standard proposed review interval is six months; the ophthalmologist may recommend an earlier visit when the risk profile or progression rate justifies it.Myopia management does not guarantee that progression will stop and is not a cure for myopia. Control interventions aim to reduce the rate of refractive progression and/or axial elongation. Response varies by individual and requires regular monitoring.
06 · Comprehensive assessment
Risk and progression profiles are individual
ConsultationRefractionOcular structuresAxial length*Family historyPrescription changesLifestyleIndividual progression profile
* when available and clinically indicated.
Assessment criteria
The ophthalmologist considers the child's age, onset of myopia, family history, changes in refraction, ocular biometry and relevant behavioral factors together.
07 · Monitoring
Effectiveness is assessed through longitudinal monitoring
MyopiaTrack Junior compares successive refraction and axial-length measurements to estimate progression and assess the response to the selected management strategy.
Refraction
OD / OSChange in prescription
Baseline-1.75 D12 months-2.25 DChange-0.50 D
Biometry
OD / OSChange in axial length
Baseline24.32 mm12 months24.51 mmChange+0.19 mm
Initial assessmentSix-month review12-month reviewStrategy reassessment
The values above are illustrative examples and do not represent actual patient data.
08 · Individualized plan
The control strategy is tailored to each child.
AgePrescriptionProgression rateAxial lengthFamily historyLifestyle
PERSONALIZED PLAN TO SLOW MYOPIA PROGRESSION
- the indicated optical solution;
- advice on near work and time spent outdoors;
- an individualized follow-up schedule;
- regular reassessment of effectiveness;
- changes to the strategy when progression warrants them.
Book a myopia-control assessment
The initial assessment establishes baseline measurements and the progression rate. When indicated, a myopia-control intervention is selected, and the response is assessed at regular follow-up visits.
This information is educational and does not replace an ophthalmic consultation. Myopia-control recommendations are individualized following a medical assessment.