Myopia Control - Best Optometrist Dr. Jeff Sciberras

MiYOSMART iQ For Myopia Control

What is Myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the inability to see distant objects clearly. Nearsighted individuals see better near. Myopia is often the result of an elongated eye, measured as the axial length. Myopia causes light to be focused in front of rather than on the retina. The retina is the photographic film at the back of the eye. So why is myopia a problem, besides having to wear vision correction? Higher levels of myopia are associated with a higher risk of eye disease. Longer eyes are more susceptible to the following diseases:

The optics of myopia are seen below. Distant objects such as street signs or presentation boards are blurred.

What are the risk factors for developing myopia?

Parental myopia, myopic siblings, Asian ancestry, myopia that appears before the age of 7, rigorous academic pursuits (high near visual demands) particularly at younger ages, and limited outdoor activity all can be used to predict myopia and its progression to high myopia. Patients with high degrees of myopia experience a poorer quality of life than those with low to moderate myopia. Refractive surgery can also be affected, with outcomes generally better in patients with lower prescriptions. Myopia control therapy can help change the future of your child’s myopia progression and significantly reduce the risk of future visual impairment.

UPGRADED DESIGN: MiYOSMART iQ Lenses

This spectacle lens type is made up of a central clear optical zone for correcting myopia, with an outer band of defocus that acts to control myopia progression. The lens makes use of the natural eye adjustment known as “emmetropisation”, where the eyeball shapes to receive focused images as it does for normal vision. The D.I.M.S. lens design by Hoya, known as MiYOSMART, is distributed in Canada through select eye care professionals, and has a new design released in June 2026, and we are proud to be one of the first clinics to participate in the early release of Miyosmart iQ.

The key design upgrades include:

- Closer Defocus Segments: The defocus segments are positioned closer to the optical center to better activate the near-peripheral retina.
- Higher Defocus Power: Delivers a stronger myopic defocus signal to inhibit eye elongation.
- Extended Treatment Zone: Ensures extensive coverage of the child’s peripheral visual field, even in larger frames

Clinical research:

Children aged 7–12: Studies show over 100% efficacy in controlling refractive error and a 94% reduction in axial elongation over 12 months.
Younger children (ages 4–6): Clinical evidence shows a 65% efficacy rate and a 44% reduction in axial elongation, marking the first time a defocus based spectacle lens has shown significant efficacy in such a young age group.
Overall, clinical wearers show essentially no progression on average

Stats courtesy of www.hoyavision.com

D.I.M.S. stands for Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments. Each of the small segments seen in the periphery of the lens adds +4.50D of power to create a myopic defocus, causing the peripheral image to land in front of the retina, which helps slow eye elongation or growth. These lenses have equal adaptation and acceptance to standard single-vision lenses, with the benefit of slowing myopia progression in children. Below is an image of the MiYOSMART lens.

Read the results of a three-year study on the positive effects of the D.I.M.S. original lens design in controlling myopia and axial length elongation by clicking here.The results of the 6-year study can be found here.

Myopia Control Therapy is an investment in your child’s future eye health and well-being. With increased screen time at the expense of outdoor activities, myopia is growing at epidemic proportions. By 2050, half the world’s population, or 5 billion people, will be myopic. Several treatment options exist that have been found to diminish the eye’s axial lengthening and the corresponding myopia progression. After conducting a thorough eye health and vision assessment, Dr. Sciberras will determine the modalities best suited for successful compliance and myopia control. At times, more than one viable option exists, and the decision will be made after deliberate consultation between the doctor and parents. We are 100 percent committed to providing you with the best value in eye care and eyewear. We strive to provide all patients with clear, comfortable vision with the best lens technology and the most convenient modality for your child. We must make the science and research available to you to ensure long-term eye health for your child.

I just want you to know some of the factors that go into deciding what myopia control therapy is best suited for your child. First, we consider the age of the child – the younger myopia starts, the worse it gets. Their current prescription – the higher it is, the higher it is likely to go. The rate of change – if we have a history of change, we act on it accordingly. Family history (genetics) of myopia – if both parents are myopic and/or older siblings have myopia, the risks of progression are much higher. The activity level and hobbies of your child – lots of reading and lack of outdoor activity are associated with greater risk. The ease of instituting these treatments, both from a cost and adaptation will be considered for compliance success. Once a plan has been devised, our office can provide the necessary training/counseling and furnishing of the vision correction aids. Progress visits will be scheduled at intervals of 3 to 6 months typically to monitor and modify treatment as necessary. What we don’t want to do: skip scheduled follow-up appointments, under-correct the myopia, or fail to take any action.

Early intervention through regular eye exams and myopia control therapy is the best way to maintain healthy eyes and vision preservation for your child.

To learn more about children’s vision and its importance to learning, click here.

Vision is a gift and should never be taken for granted. Dr. Sciberras can detect eye disease in the absence of symptoms and can determine risk factors for future eye disease. Some of the symptoms your child may display in the presence of myopia may include: frequent eye rubbing, squinting, sitting closer than normal for reading and viewing tasks, turning their head to the side, complaints of tired eyes, or inability to recognize signs or people from a distance.

Recommended Screen Time

0-2 years of age should have no screen time. Watching a screen at a young age can limit time for active play and learning, reduce opportunities for language development and inhibit their attention skills.
Children aged 2-5 years should have a maximum of 1 hour per day. Infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers should not be inactive or sedentary for more than one hour at a time, except for sleeping. In this age group, excessive screen time is associated with less outdoor, creative and active play time; poorer language skill development; poor social skills and an increased risk of obesity.
Children of school age (5-17 years) should be limited to 2 hours of recreational screen time per day. When using screen-based electronics, positive social interaction and experiences are encouraged. Sleep is also so important in this age group. Children aged 5-13 years should have an uninterrupted 9 to 11 hours of sleep per night and 8 to 10 hours per night for those aged 14–17 years. Consistent bed and wake-up times are very helpful, as are restricting screen time 2 hours before bed and removing screens from the bedroom where possible.
Apply the 20-20 Rule: take a break from reading or screen time every 20 minutes for 20 seconds looking at something far away (say 20 feet). He or she should look across the room to relax the focusing muscles in the eyes before commencing near viewing. Closing your eyes for another 20 seconds could go a long way to relieving dry eye symptoms.

Book your child’s next eye exam here.