Non-invasive myopia control methods: a review

Relevance. Myopia is a significant issue in ophthalmology and public health. Its progression not only leads to a decline in visual function and reduced quality of life but also increases the risk of vision-threatening complications. In recent years, alongside contact lens-based approaches that slow excessive eye growth, pharmacological, optical, and behavioral myopia control strategies have been actively developed. Objective: to summarize and systematize data from randomized clinical trials conducted over the past five years on the efficacy of non-invasive myopia control methods, identifying the most effective approaches and their combinations. Materials and methods. A literature search was conducted in the eLibrary, PubMed, and Scopus databases using the keywords “Myopia Control” and “progressive myopia”. A total of 3,714 studies published between 2020 and 2025 were identified, of which 52 full-text articles met the inclusion criteria. The final analysis included 36 publications that provided data on both refractive error progression and axial length changes. Results. The use of defocus-incorporated multiple segment (DIMS) and other myopia control spectacle lenses has demonstrated high efficacy in slowing axial elongation, confirming the clinical significance and promise of this approach. However, questions remain regarding the magnitude and consistency of their long-term efficacy. Low-dose atropine has shown the greatest effect when combined with single-vision spectacle correction. However, the variability in results due to different atropine concentrations necessitates further research. Increased time spent outdoors has been associated with a reduced risk of myopia progression in individuals with pre-myopia and low myopia. The combination of red-light therapy with spectacle correction has proven more effective than red-light therapy alone. While these methods show promising results, long-term studies are required to confirm their efficacy and safety. Conclusion. Effective myopia control in children requires the development of combined strategies incorporating optical, pharmacological, and behavioral interventions. Despite the availability of effective non-invasive myopia control methods, questions remain regarding their mechanisms of action and the long-term efficacy of combination treatments.

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