Myopia Control in Delhi

Updating glasses corrects blur — it does nothing to slow the eye's growth. Myopia progresses because the eyeball is physically elongating, and that elongation is what creates lifetime risk of retinal detachment, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataract. Myopia control treatments — Ortho-K, atropine, DIMS lenses — slow that elongation by 40–60%. The International Myopia Institute now recommends that every progressing myopic child be offered myopia control. Simply updating the glasses is no longer considered adequate management for a progressing myope — the same way we would not simply prescribe painkillers for a condition that has a treatment targeting the underlying cause.

Orthokeratology lenses have a reverse-geometry design — the central zone is flatter than the cornea, and the peripheral zone has a steeper curve. When worn during sleep, the lens gently redistributes the epithelial cells of the cornea — flattening the central cornea and steepening the periphery. This temporary reshaping corrects the refractive error (so the child sees clearly without glasses the next day) and creates a ring of myopic defocus on the peripheral retina, which signals the eye to slow its growth. The reshaping reverses without the lenses within 24–36 hours — which is why lenses must be worn every night to maintain the effect.

Ortho-K has been used in children since the early 2000s and has a strong safety record in compliant patients. The main risk is microbial keratitis (eye infection) — which is the same risk profile as any contact lens wear. The incidence of serious infection in paediatric Ortho-K is approximately 7.7 per 10,000 patient-years in Asian populations (the most studied group), which is comparable to overnight soft contact lens wear. The risk is dramatically reduced by strict lens hygiene: no tap water contact with lenses or lens case, proper cleaning and storage protocol, and prompt attendance if the eye becomes red, painful, or the vision changes. At Netram, hygiene training is a major part of the fitting process — and we are explicit about the fact that Ortho-K is only safe in compliant, hygiene-adherent patients.

Orthokeratology lenses at Netram are priced at ₹25,000 per eye. This includes the comprehensive pre-fitting corneal topography assessment, the fitting consultation, trial lens fitting, Day 1 morning topography review, and 1-month follow-up visit. Lens replacement (typically needed every 12–18 months) and ongoing 3-monthly and 6-monthly monitoring visits are priced separately — consult our team for the full ongoing cost picture. Other myopia control options (atropine, DIMS lenses, MiSight) are priced differently — our team will provide a complete cost breakdown for the recommended programme at your child's assessment appointment.

It depends on the treatment. Low-dose atropine eyedrops can be used from age 5 onwards — there is no practical lower age limit given how simple the administration is (drops at bedtime). DIMS spectacle lenses can be fitted from age 5–6, as soon as the child can wear glasses reliably. Ortho-K and MiSight contact lenses typically require the child to be at least 7–8 years old and demonstrate the maturity and dexterity needed for contact lens handling. In motivated younger children with responsible parents, Ortho-K has been fitted successfully at age 6 — but this is assessed case by case. There is no upper age limit for myopia control benefit, though the urgency is greatest in younger, faster-progressing children.

For most children within the fitting range (up to −6.00D myopia, −2.00D astigmatism), Ortho-K provides functional unaided daytime vision of 6/6 or better — meaning no glasses are needed during the day. A backup pair of glasses with the current prescription is always recommended for nights when lenses are not worn (illness, travel, overnight stays). The glasses prescription may reduce over the first few months of Ortho-K wear as the corneal reshaping effect stabilises. Children with prescriptions above −6.00D may have residual myopia with Ortho-K — this is discussed at the assessment appointment.

Myopia typically stabilises in the late teens to early 20s. Once axial length has been stable for 12 or more consecutive months and there has been no refractive progression, treatment can be reviewed. Atropine is tapered gradually rather than stopped abruptly — sudden cessation can cause rebound progression. Ortho-K can be continued for daytime convenience even after myopia has stabilised — many adults choose to continue for this reason. Once myopia has been stable for 2 or more years, LASIK or other refractive surgery eligibility can be assessed — and the fact that a controlled prescription is likely to be lower than an uncontrolled one makes the refractive surgery outcome better too.

Yes — this is one of the most robustly evidenced findings in myopia research. Outdoor time (not exercise per se, but exposure to bright natural light) is consistently associated with reduced myopia onset and slowed progression across large epidemiological studies. The SCORM, STARS, and Sydney Myopia Studies all confirm the protective effect. The mechanism is believed to involve bright light stimulating dopamine release in the retina, which inhibits axial elongation. The recommended minimum is 90 minutes of outdoor time per day in natural light — not just near a window, but actually outside. This is recommended as an adjunct to optical myopia control, not a replacement for it — but it is the only zero-cost, zero-risk intervention with genuine evidence behind it.