Myopia Management Heckmondwike
Specialist myopia control for children at Armitage Opticians — slowing short-sightedness progression, not just correcting it.
Why Your Child's Myopia Progression Matters
If your child is short-sighted and their prescription keeps getting stronger, you are right to be concerned. Myopia is not a static condition — in most children it continues to progress throughout their school years, meaning stronger glasses, thicker lenses, and increasing dependence on vision correction as they grow older.
But the real concern goes beyond inconvenience. Higher levels of myopia are associated with a significantly increased risk of serious eye conditions in adulthood, including retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, glaucoma, and early-onset cataracts. A child whose myopia reaches -5.00 or beyond faces a considerably higher lifetime risk of sight-threatening complications than a child whose progression is slowed early.
The good news is that myopia progression can be slowed. Clinically proven treatments exist that can reduce the rate of progression by 50% or more and all of our optometrists at Armitage Opticians are accredited in myopia management. The earlier intervention begins, the better the outcome for your child’s long-term eye health.
Three Proven Myopia Control Treatments
There is no single solution for every child. At Armitage Opticians, we assess your child’s prescription, age, lifestyle, and rate of progression before recommending the most suitable approach. We offer three clinically proven myopia management options.
MiSight Daily Contact Lenses
MiSight 1 day lenses are the first soft contact lens specifically designed and approved for myopia management in children. They use a dual-focus design that corrects your child’s distance vision while simultaneously creating a signal that slows the elongation of the eye — the underlying mechanism of myopia progression. Clinical trials have shown MiSight lenses can slow myopia progression by up to 59% over three years. They are daily disposable lenses, meaning no cleaning or storage is required, which makes them practical for children as young as eight.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
Ortho-K involves specially designed rigid gas-permeable lenses that your child wears overnight while sleeping. The lenses gently reshape the cornea so that vision is clear throughout the following day — no glasses or contact lenses needed during waking hours. This is particularly popular with children who play sport or are self-conscious about wearing glasses. Beyond the lifestyle benefit, Ortho-K has been shown to slow axial eye growth and reduce myopia progression significantly. It requires careful fitting and regular monitoring, which our trained optometrists provide.
Low-Dose Atropine Eye Drops
Atropine drops at very low concentrations (typically 0.01% to 0.05%) are administered once daily at bedtime and have been shown in large-scale clinical studies to slow myopia progression with minimal side effects. Atropine therapy can be used on its own or alongside spectacle or contact lens correction. We work closely with ophthalmologists where needed and monitor your child’s response carefully throughout the treatment period.
Warning Signs Your Child's Myopia May Be Progressing
- Squinting or screwing up their eyes to see the board at school
- Sitting closer to screens, books, or the television than they used to
- Complaining of headaches, especially after school or screen time
- Needing a stronger prescription at every eye test
- Rubbing their eyes frequently or complaining of tired eyes
- Struggling with distance vision in low light or at dusk
- A family history of high myopia in one or both parents
If your child’s prescription has changed by -0.50 or more in the past year, their myopia is progressing and intervention should be considered. Early action gives us the widest window to slow progression and protect their long-term vision.
Your Child's Myopia Assessment — What to Expect
Step 1 — Comprehensive Eye Examination
We carry out a thorough eye test including axial length measurement to assess the physical length of your child’s eye — the key indicator of myopia progression. This gives us a precise baseline to track changes over time.
Step 2 — Discussion and Treatment Recommendation
We explain your child’s results in plain language, discuss their rate of progression, and recommend the most suitable myopia management option based on their age, prescription, lifestyle, and your family’s preferences. There is no pressure — we want you to feel confident in the decision.
Step 3 — Fitting, Training, and Ongoing Monitoring
If contact lenses are chosen, we provide a full fitting and teach your child how to insert, remove, and handle their lenses safely. We schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor their prescription, axial length, and overall eye health, adjusting the management plan as they grow.
What Parents Say About Our Myopia Management
“My daughter’s prescription was changing every six months and I was worried about how strong her glasses were getting. Armitage Opticians fitted her with MiSight lenses and for the first time in three years, her prescription has barely changed. I am so grateful we found them.”
— Rachel W., Heckmondwike
“Our son refused to wear glasses for football and was struggling at school. They recommended Ortho-K — he wears the lenses at night and sees perfectly all day without glasses. It has made a huge difference to his confidence.”
— Mark and Lisa G., Cleckheaton
“They took the time to explain everything to us and to our son. No jargon, no rush. We felt completely informed about our options and supported throughout the whole process.”
— Amina H., Dewsbury
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: At what age should myopia management begin?
Myopia management can begin from around age six to eight, depending on the child and the treatment chosen. MiSight contact lenses are approved for children from age eight. The earlier intervention starts, the greater the potential to slow progression and reduce the final prescription your child reaches as an adult.
Q: Is my child too young for contact lenses?
Children as young as eight regularly wear MiSight daily disposable lenses successfully. Research shows that children are often better at handling and caring for contact lenses than parents expect. We provide full training and support for both you and your child, and we only proceed when everyone feels comfortable and confident.
Q: Can myopia management stop my child needing glasses completely?
Myopia management slows the rate of progression — it does not reverse myopia that has already developed. The goal is to reduce how strong your child’s prescription becomes over time, which lowers their risk of sight-threatening complications in adulthood. Your child will still need vision correction, but the final prescription is likely to be significantly lower than it would have been without intervention.
Q: How much does myopia management cost at Armitage Opticians?
Costs vary depending on the treatment chosen. We discuss all fees clearly at your child’s assessment appointment so there are no surprises. Call us on 01924 403617 to book your child’s myopia assessment and we will explain the options and associated costs in detail.
Your Child's Vision Is Still Developing — Act Now
If your child’s prescription keeps getting stronger, do not wait for the next routine eye test. Book a dedicated myopia management assessment at Armitage Opticians in Heckmondwike and find out what can be done to protect their long-term sight.
Call us on 01924 403617
Armitage Opticians, Heckmondwike — part of Abra & Co, independent opticians with five practices across Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire. All optometrists accredited in myopia management.
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