What is Myopia?
Myopia means your distance vision is blurred, while near vision is usually clearer.
This happens when light entering the eye doesn’t focus precisely on the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). In myopia, it focuses in front of the retina, so distant objects look out of focus.
Why does that happen?
Most commonly, the eye grows a little too long from front to back (this is why we talk about eye growth in myopia management). Sometimes, myopia is related to the cornea being more curved than average, which also changes where light focuses.
Is Myopia short sightedness?
Myopia means your distance vision is blurred, while near vision is usually clearer.
This happens when light entering the eye doesn’t focus precisely on the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). In myopia, it focuses in front of the retina, so distant objects look out of focus.
Signs and Symptoms of Myopia
Myopia can creep up slowly, especially in children who don’t realise anything has changed. Common signs include:
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Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly
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Frequent squinting or narrowing of their eyes to focus
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Sitting closer to the TV or holding devices close
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Struggling to see the classroom board
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Avoiding sports or activities that rely on distance vision
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Seeming less confident outdoors or in new places
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Complaints of headaches or tired eyes after looking at distant objects
Myopia can only be diagnosed through a professional eye test with an optometrist, who can determine its presence and severity.
What Causes Myopia?
Myopia usually develops due to a mix of genetics and environment:
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Genetics: A child with one or both parents who are myopic has a higher risk of developing the condition.
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Ethnicity: children of East Asian heritage are more likely to develop myopia.
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Lifestyle: Prolonged periods of close-up activities like reading or using screens (phones, tablets, laptops) may contribute, though the evidence isn’t conclusive.
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Limited Outdoor Time: Spending less time outdoors has been linked to a higher risk of myopia development.
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Growth and progression: In childhood, the eye can continue to elongate as they grow; this can cause myopia to worsen year on year without proactive management.
Myopia Tests and Diagnosis: What Happens in an Eye Exam?
A Bayfields eye test doesn’t just check whether you need glasses. It also looks at overall eye health and, where needed, how the eye is changing over time.
During your appointment, we’ll usually:
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Talk through symptoms and lifestyle (schoolwork, screens, outdoors, family history)
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Check vision and prescription (refraction)
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Assess eye health in detail
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Discuss what we’ve found in clear, practical terms
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Recommend next steps: myopia glasses, contact lenses, myopia management options, or monitoring
Myopia Treatment for Adults
If you’re an adult with myopia, treatment usually focuses on clear, comfortable correction, plus eye health monitoring, especially if your prescription is higher. Common options include:
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Myopia glasses (single vision lenses)
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Contact lenses (daily or reusable options)
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For suitable adults, some people explore refractive surgery options through specialist providers (we can advise on whether it may be appropriate to consider, based on your eyes and prescription)
Many adults wear glasses or contacts all the time, while others only need them for distance tasks (like driving, sport, cinema screens or presentations). We’ll help you find what works best for your lifestyle.
Introducing Bayfields Specialist Myopia Service for Children
We don’t just test your child’s eyesight, we help protect it for the future. Our specialist myopia management service is designed to slow the progression of short-sightedness in children, using the latest clinical thinking and technology, in a calm setting that helps children feel safe and understood.
Your personalised mEYE® Myopia Management Report
Every child receives a personalised mEYE® Myopia Management Report, powered by Ocumetra. It helps us:
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Track eye growth over time
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Predict likely changes and explain what they could mean
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Guide the most effective treatment options for your child
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Make complex information clear and actionable for parents
Appointments that feel relaxed and reassuring
Our optometrists are experienced with children and families, and we take the time to explain what’s happening; without rushing you, and without pressuring you into decisions. You’ll leave knowing what’s going on, what matters most, and what your options are.
Myopia Management Solutions At Bayfields
Myopia management is different from standard correction. It’s a proactive approach designed to help slow progression, particularly during childhood when eyes are still developing.
Research supports several approaches that can reduce progression in many children, including specific soft contact lenses (such as MiSight), specialist spectacle lens designs and orthokeratology, depending on suitability.
Specialist soft contact lenses: MiSight®
MiSight daily disposables are designed to correct vision and support myopia management in children, backed by a multi-year randomised clinical trial.
Specialist spectacle lenses: ZEISS MyoCare
ZEISS MyoCare lenses are designed for children who prefer glasses, offering clear vision while supporting myopia management. Clinical evaluation data has shown slower progression compared with single vision lenses.
Ortho-K (available at selected Bayfields practices)
Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight to reshape the front surface of the eye temporarily, giving clear daytime vision. Studies and reviews report reduced axial elongation compared to single-vision correction in suitable children.
Traditional myopia glasses and contact lenses
If myopia management isn’t the right fit, we’ll still make sure your child has excellent, comfortable correction, plus a monitoring plan you can feel confident about.
Connect Myopia: Ongoing Care Made Simple
To support ongoing care, Connect Myopia is our monthly membership that includes everything needed to manage your child’s vision with confidence.
For £32 per month, you’ll receive:
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All appointments and advanced scans (OCT, Optomap) included
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A £99 discount on any children’s frame
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50% off replacements for lost or broken glasses
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A new pair every 12 months, or sooner if needed
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Your child’s personalised mEYE® Myopia Report
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Ongoing advice and support from our optometrists
Connect Myopia makes proactive care simple and affordable - helping your child see clearly, comfortably and confidently, now and into the future.
High Myopia: What is the Highest Myopia?
There isn’t one “highest myopia” number that applies to everyone, because prescriptions can vary widely. Clinically, high myopia is often defined as more than -6.00 dioptres, and severe/myopic prescriptions beyond that can occur.
What matters most is:
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How quickly the prescription is changing, and
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Signs the eye is elongating more than expected
That’s why monitoring and early myopia management can be so important, especially in childhood.
Myopia Complications: Why High Myopia Needs Proactive Monitoring
Most myopia is straightforward to correct with glasses or contact lenses. But higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risk of certain eye conditions later in life, including:
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Retinal detachment
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Glaucoma
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Cataracts
This doesn’t mean complications are inevitable, only that it’s sensible to be proactive. Regular eye tests and, where appropriate, advanced imaging can support early detection and peace of mind.
If you ever notice sudden flashes, a shower of new floaters, or a curtain/shadow across vision, seek urgent eye care. (We’ll always tell you clearly what to look out for.)
What You Can Do at Home to Support Healthy Vision
Myopia management works best when it’s supported by everyday habits that feel realistic for you and your family:
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Aim for more outdoor time: Evidence suggests around 13 hours per week (just under 2 hours a day) outdoors can reduce the likelihood of children becoming myopic.
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Build in regular breaks from close work (reading, homework, screens)
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Encourage good lighting for reading and studying
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Keep screens at a comfortable distance (not pressed close)
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Protect sleep, especially for teens (tired eyes feel worse, and routines slip)
We’ll tailor advice to you or your child’s routine, taking into account school demands, hobbies, sport, and what you can realistically stick to.
Why Choose Bayfields Opticians for Myopia Care?
At Bayfields, we’re committed to providing tailored eye care and innovative solutions tailored to your vision health needs. Our highly trained optometrists use the latest technology and research-backed treatments to manage myopia effectively. We take a personal approach, ensuring you and your family receive the best advice and care in a warm and supportive environment, with advanced eye health scans like OCT and optomap® included as standard for proactive monitoring and peace of mind.
Book an eye test at Bayfields today and take the first step toward protecting you or your child’s vision for the future. We have practices across the UK offering leading myopia control and management treatments
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