MYOPIA CONTROL STRATEGIES IN MODERN OPTOMETRIC PRACTICE

Abstract

Myopia has emerged as a major global public health concern due to its rapidly increasing prevalence and associated risk of vision-threatening complications. Modern optometric practice has shifted from simple refractive correction toward evidence-based strategies aimed at slowing myopia progression and reducing long-term ocular morbidity. This chapter explores contemporary myopia control strategies used in clinical optometric practice, including lifestyle modifications, optical interventions, pharmacological management, and emerging technologies. Environmental factors such as prolonged near work and reduced outdoor activity have been recognized as important contributors to myopia progression, particularly among children and adolescents. Current interventions such as atropine therapy, orthokeratology, multifocal soft contact lenses, and specially designed spectacle lenses have demonstrated significant efficacy in controlling axial elongation and refractive progression. The chapter also highlights the role of patient education, early detection, regular monitoring, and individualized treatment planning in successful myopia management. Additionally, advances in digital health, artificial intelligence, and personalized optometric care are shaping the future of myopia control. By integrating scientific evidence with patient-centered care, modern optometric practice aims not only to improve visual outcomes but also to minimize the long-term burden of high myopia and associated ocular complications.