Myopia was once considered a routine refractive condition, managed with simple corrective lenses and an annual prescription update. Now, as myopia becomes an increasingly bigger concern for the global population, as more and more people get diagnosed with the visual disorder, the approach to curbing this pressing health concern has changed. ECPs now view myopia as a progressive condition that can significantly increase the lifetime risk of ocular disease. As research continues to link higher levels of myopia with conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy, eye care professionals are increasingly focusing on early intervention strategies rather than waiting until vision changes become severe.

For optometrists and ophthalmologists, this shift represents both a clinical responsibility and a strategic opportunity. Instead of seeing patients once a year for updated prescriptions, practices can establish structured care pathways that involve ongoing monitoring, education, and treatment adjustments over several years to a lifetime. At the same time, advances in lens design and optical technologies enable more targeted myopia treatments and lenses that address peripheral defocus, which show promise for slowing axial elongation in children. As these technologies mature, laboratories and lens design partners play an increasingly important role in helping eye care professionals deliver effective treatment options.

For practices considering expanding into this field, now is the time to take the first step in building a sustainable myopia program that benefits patients and the practice. 

A few trends converge to explain the increase in instances of myopia, including epidemiological shifts and changing understandings around treatments. The following combine to explain why more people are interested in myopia management:

The global prevalence of myopia has increased in recent decades, with the trend continuing upward. Currently, about 30% of the population is myopic. By 2050, researchers predict that 50% of the global population will have symptoms. The condition is also becoming more common and appearing at an earlier age. 

Several lifestyle and environmental factors are thought to contribute to this increase: 

• Screen exposure: Digital screens, smartphones, and prolonged close-up tasks place sustained accommodative demand on the visual system. Children spend more time in front of screens for schoolwork, which contributes to the earlier prevalence. 
• Reduced outdoor time: Children who spend less time outdoors appear to have a higher risk of developing myopia. Modern indoor-centric lifestyles, urbanization, and academic pressure all keep children indoors more, making lifestyle a contributing factor. 
• Genetic predisposition: Children with one or both myopic parents are more likely to develop myopia themselves. When combined with environmental triggers, this genetic risk can accelerate the onset and progression of refractive error.

Together, these factors create a large and growing population of patients who may benefit from proactive intervention.

Another major driver of demand is increased public awareness of myopia progression. People are becoming more informed about the long-term health risks associated with high myopia, and many patients seek out myopia management strategies once they receive an initial diagnosis.

Rather than focusing exclusively on refractive correction, many practices are expanding into preventive care. Myopia management programs align well with this strategy because they typically involve axial length tracking, follow-ups, and treatments based on progression rates to help slow its progression. ECP myopia treatments have shifted from a ‘set it and forget it’ prescription to active, continual care, which encourages patients to return to the practice. 

A well-designed myopia management program can strengthen patient relationships, differentiate a practice within a competitive market, and create predictable revenue streams tied to long-term care. When implemented effectively, myopia management programs tend to deliver benefits in three major areas:

By consistently monitoring patients’ myopia, ECPs can catch symptoms earlier and employ more proactive measures that slow axial elongation, rather than reactive treatment. When practitioners intervene earlier, they can reduce the risk of patients reaching high-myopia levels, which also reduces the likelihood of glaucoma, retinal detachment, and myopic maculopathy. 

When families see measurable improvements or slowed progression in one patient, they frequently return to the same practice for care across multiple family members and make recommendations to their communities. Over time, this creates a loyal patient base built on clinical outcomes rather than convenience alone. 

In many regions, traditional optical services face increasing competition from online eyewear retailers and large optical chains. Myopia management offers independent practices a way to distinguish themselves through specialized clinical expertise. Especially if the practice offers advanced myopia solutions rather than basic prescription updates. 

Due to the progressive nature of myopia, myopic patients do not churn. For example, a child enrolled at age 8 might need consistent monitoring through their late teens. This includes renewal appointments, visual tests, and lens replacements. Because these programs involve specialized services and ongoing care, they often generate higher per-patient revenue compared to standard refractive visits. The structured program creates a predictable revenue pattern while also serving as a gateway for the practice to expand into other advanced areas of eye care. 

As long as a myopic management program is intentionally and thoughtfully set up, it will have the foundation to succeed. The first step is recognizing that myopia management is not just a product offering, but a structured clinical service. Patients and families are not just purchasing lenses; they are enrolling in a long-term care pathway that monitors progression, intervenes when necessary, and protects visual health. 

Most practices are in a position to start a myopia management program with relative ease, following a few key steps:

Most practices already have equipment for measuring myopia, but in case that is lacking, a practice will need to obtain diagnostic machines for axial length measurement. Corneal topography equipment is also important for orthokeratology fitting if the patient prefers contact lenses over eyeglasses.

Not every practice needs a full suite of advanced myopia equipment, but a modern investment in diagnostic capabilities can improve patient outcomes and confidence. Practices often recover initial investment within the first few months to a year of the program.  

One of the most common barriers to implementing myopia management programs is inconsistent communication within the practice. If only the clinician understands the program, the staff may miss opportunities to educate patients. Successful practices ensure that every team member understands the basics of myopia progression and treatment options, allowing them to support conversations with patients and families throughout the visit. This means understanding potential candidates for the program, risk factors, explaining the purpose of proactive management, and facilitating follow-ups. 

ECPs can even assign a specific team member as the program’s primary coordinator. Their job can be to manage the patient journey and handle scheduling and questions. This single role prevents the drop-off that happens when busy ODs try to manage both the clinical and administrative dimensions of the program. 

Because myopia management is a longitudinal service, practices typically structure their programs differently than traditional exams or eyewear purchases. Establishing a clear pricing and care model helps patients understand service costs and prevents confusion later. 

Program pricing structures might include: 

• Global fees: Bundling all included services (testing, follow-ups, and treatments) into a single annual fee. Global fees position myopia management as a specialized clinical service rather than a collection of products, which appeals to many patients.
• Itemized pricing: Some practices charge separately for each service. While this model can provide flexibility, it sometimes requires more explanation to patients.
• Payment plans: Many practices also offer payment plans to make treatment more accessible for families starting a program for the first time.

Regardless of the chosen structure, it’s important to be upfront about the specific services, timeline, and products included. 

Myopia management requires patient understanding and engagement. Because the concept of slowing eye growth may be unfamiliar to many families, education must be structured and easy to understand. Rather than introducing myopia management only at the end of an exam, many successful practices incorporate education into the initial exam discussion and consultation appointment, and again when reviewing test results. 

External outreach is important too. Getting educational materials out and even partnering with pediatricians or youth sports organizations will increase the number of patients who seek out providers offering a myopia management program. 

Because myopia progression varies widely between patients, most successful programs include multiple options that can be tailored to an individual’s age, lifestyle, and rate of progression. While some patients only need a single intervention, many benefit from a combination of therapies designed for peripheral myopic defocus. 

A well-rounded myopia program could have the following: 

Unlike traditional single-vision lenses, these designs incorporate optical features that influence peripheral retinal focus while maintaining clear central vision. Advances in free-form manufacturing have enabled the production of highly precise optical geometries that carefully control how light reaches different regions of the retina. These lenses can include designs like: 

• Peripheral defocus zones designed to create myopic defocus in the retinal periphery
• Segmented optical areas that introduce treatment zones within the lens surface
• Asymmetric or customized optical profiles tailored to patient-specific parameters

Specialized spectacles provide a non-invasive, easy-to-adopt treatment option, particularly for children. The lenses can be adjusted as needed.

Ortho-K are rigid contact lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. The corneal reshaping effect alters peripheral retinal focus, helping slow myopia progression in some patients. Some patients also prefer this choice for daytime activities if they want an eyeglass-free experience. However, Ortho-K doesn’t work well for every patient, which is why it’s often suggested as an additional treatment in the broader myopia management program rather than the sole solution. 

Low-dose atropine (0.01%–0.05%) therapy has gained attention as a pharmacological method for slowing myopia progression. Patients administer eyedrops to themselves once daily. The drops aim to reduce the side effects of myopia, such as light sensitivity and difficulty focusing on near objects. Many ECPs incorporate atropine into combination treatment strategies, pairing this therapy with optical approaches when progression rates remain high.

Lifestyle recommendations remain an important component of treating myopia when used in collaboration with visual prescriptions. Incorporating guidance related to better visual habits can help slow myopic progression. Common recommendations include: 

• Encouraging more outdoor time, particularly for children who spend significant time indoors
• Managing prolonged near work, including breaks during reading or screen use
• Promoting healthy visual ergonomics, such as appropriate viewing distances for digital devices

A child with rapidly progressing myopia may require a different strategy than a young adult whose prescription changes more gradually, and treatment plans may evolve as the patient grows. This is why many practices design their programs around a flexible treatment portfolio. 

As demand for myopia management solutions continues to grow, the technology behind treatment options continues to evolve. Eye care professionals who embrace this shift are not only helping patients protect their vision but also building practices that are better aligned with the future of the profession.

IOT’s MyoLess lenses slow the progression of myopia by targeting the root of the problem and reducing axial elongation through hyperopic defocus. The lenses offer enhanced comfort and perfect vision in the clear area, making it easier for children and adults alike to adapt to them.While IOT does not directly offer myopia management programs to individual ECPs, our lens design partners and customers can provide the resources and support necessary to help ECPs expand into myopia management. MyoLess is currently not available in the United States.

If you’re looking to boost your practice’s portfolio with innovative myopia management solutions, learn more about MyoLess by getting in touch with us.