Contemporary optical approach to modulating ocular growth: A new era in childhood myopia control

Myopia presents a growing public health concern among preschool and school-aged children and has been associated with reduced exposure to natural daylight and excessive use of digital devices. Global projections indicate that, by 2050, nearly half of the world’s population will be affected by myopia. Optical strategies based on the principle of peripheral myopic defocus – such as HAL, DIMS, MiYOSMART, Stellest, and DOT lenses – have emerged as the most effective noninvasive methods for slowing the progression of myopia in children. Clinical studies show that these lenses reduce axial elongation of the eye by 50-80% compared with standard monofocal lenses, while preserving binocular balance and causing minimal adverse effects. HAL lenses achieve the most stable overall effect, whereas the DIMS design shows greater efficacy in children with slower myopia progression. Longterm studies confirm that these optical approaches do not cause a rebound effect upon discontinuation and are safe for prolonged use. The integration of optical interventions with educational and preventive measures in early childhood is the key to a holistic approach to vision protection and public health control of myopia.