Myopia control lenses and frame fit: why the frame your child picks matters

When your child's optometrist recommends myopia control lenses, most of the conversation is about the lens. The frame gets chosen in a few minutes, often by your child, based on colour. But with myopia control lenses, the frame does more than hold the lens. It decides where your child's eyes look through it. This guide covers what to check.

How myopia control lenses differ from regular lenses

A regular single vision lens corrects your child's vision the same way across most of the lens. Myopia control lenses, such as Hoya MiYOSMART, Essilor Stellest and Shamir Optimee, have a clear central zone that corrects vision, surrounded by a specially designed outer area. That outer design is what the lens relies on to help slow the progression of myopia. The lens is positioned so that the centre lines up with your child's pupil. If the frame sits in the wrong place, your child may look through a different part of the lens than the optometrist intended.

Six things to check when choosing the frame

• Size. The frame should match the width of your child's face. A frame that is too wide places the lens centres too far apart and lets the frame slide. Bigger is not better here.
• Bridge fit. Many Filipino children have a low, flat nose bridge. Frames designed for adults or older children often sit too low or slide down. Adjustable nose pads or a bridge shaped for a low nose help keep the frame at the right height.
• Lens depth. The lens needs enough height to give the full design room. Very narrow, slim frames may not suit the lens. Ask the team before your child falls for a particular style.
• Temples and ear fit. The arms should hold the frame securely behind the ears without pressing. Children run, tumble and look down at desks all day. A frame that stays put is a frame that keeps the lens centred.
• Material and durability. Children's frames take a beating. Flexible hinges and sturdy materials last longer. Ask the team which frames hold up best for your child's age and activity level.
• Your child likes it. A child who likes their glasses wears them. Myopia control lenses only work while your child is wearing them, so let your child choose between frames that pass the fit checks above.

Signs the frame is not sitting right

• Your child keeps pushing the glasses up their nose.
• Your child looks over the top of the frame to see the board or the TV.
• The frame tilts, with one lens higher than the other.
• Red marks or sore spots appear on the nose or behind the ears.
• The glasses fall off when your child bends down.

If you see any of these, bring the glasses in for an adjustment. Do not try to bend the frame at home.

Children grow, so frames need checking

A frame that fits in June may be tight by December. Faces widen, and noses change shape. Use the scheduled myopia control follow-up visits to have the frame checked as well as the prescription. Between visits, free lifetime custom fitting and adjustment means you can walk in whenever the fit looks off.

What about sports and PE?

Active children need a secure fit. Ask the team about a sports strap or a frame that holds firmly. Vision Express does not list a named impact-resistant lens on its menu, so ask the team about the toughest material for your child's frame.

A clinical decision first

Myopia control lenses are a clinical recommendation. They are designed to slow the progression of myopia, and results differ from child to child. They are not a treatment for lazy eye, which is a separate condition with its own management. Your child's optometrist decides which lens fits your child's eyes, and the store team helps choose a frame that fits your child's face.

Book a Vision7 eye test for your child

Book a Vision7 eye test for your child at your nearest Vision Express store. The seven-step exam measures your child's prescription and how their eyes work together, which is the starting point for any myopia control plan. If the optometrist recommends myopia control, ask about Hoya MiYOSMART, Essilor Stellest or Shamir Optimee at the counter, and ask the team to check frame size, bridge and lens depth before your child chooses. Every pair comes with free lifetime ultrasonic cleaning, free lifetime custom fitting and adjustment, and a 1-year warranty.