The DO’s role in myopia management success

Helping families understand myopia early

For parents of newly myopic children, education is often the most important first step. Clear, practical conversations can help families better understand myopia and its management options.

Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long, causing distant objects to appear blurred. In children, this elongation can progress quickly, particularly when onset occurs at a younger age. Importantly, increasing myopia is linked to a greater risk of serious ocular complications later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma and myopic maculopathy.

This is why standard correction alone is no longer considered sufficient. Single-vision lenses improve clarity but do not actively address progression. Effective myopia management requires early intervention supported by clinical evidence.

Advances in spectacle lens technology have transformed the myopia management landscape. For DOs, understanding the clinical purpose behind these technologies is as important as knowing their products’ features.

When dispensers confidently explain why a specific lens design has been recommended, families are more likely to trust the treatment plan and commit to long-term wear. Consistent messaging between the optometrist and dispenser also strengthens confidence in the overall care experience.

Compliance remains one of the most important factors influencing treatment success, with clear communication central to achieving it

Supporting different parent perspectives

Parents and carers may process information and make healthcare decisions in different ways and questions or concerns may continue after the consultation. Dispensing conversations can provide a valuable opportunity to reinforce understanding, address practical considerations and support confidence in recommended management approaches.

Parents focused on cost

For some families, cost is an important consideration. In these conversations, it can be helpful to discuss myopia management in the context of long-term eye health and the potential benefits of slowing progression, rather than focusing solely on the upfront expense.

Parents seeking more evidence or reassurance

Some parents wish to better understand the evidence behind treatment recommendations. Clear explanations of treatment mechanisms, supporting research and expected outcomes can help build understanding and confidence in the recommended management approach.

Parents considering the ‘wait and see’ approach

Other families prefer to take some time before deciding on treatment. In these situations, providing education about typical myopia progression patterns and the potential benefits of early intervention can support informed decision making and ongoing discussion.

Reinforcing success at collection

The dispensing journey continues at spectacle collection, which provides another opportunity to support treatment success by:

• confirming the frame fit is stable, comfortable and correctly positioned
• reinforcing the importance of consistent full-time wear
• reiterating lifestyle advice regarding outdoor time, screen habits and visual hygiene
• educating the family on lens handling and care.

Embedding these practices into routine care can help support patient adaptation and engagement with treatment.

Insights from practice

During a recent visit to NVision Eyecare in Auckland, dispensing optician Summer Sobuh shared some of the practical strategies she incorporates into practice to support successful myopia management.

She emphasised the importance of continuing the conversation with families after measurements are completed. Although dispensing is routine for practitioners, spectacles are something a child will wear every day. Families are not only seeking effective myopia control solutions, they are also looking for reassurance, guidance and a positive clinical experience throughout their child’s vision journey.

At collection, the importance of careful frame-fit assessment to ensure the frame sits correctly and remains stable on the child’s face. Poor positioning can affect treatment performance, making adjustment and comfort particularly important.

Families are also guided through the adaptation process, with clear explanations about how peripheral lenslets may initially feel different before visual adaptation occurs. Practical cleaning and care instructions are reviewed to support lens longevity and ongoing performance.

Sobuh also emphasised the importance of booking follow-up appointments. Before leaving the practice, a patient’s next myopia management review appointment is booked. This structured follow-up process helps maintain continuity of care and supports long-term monitoring of progression and treatment efficacy.

Successful myopia management relies on great collaboration across the practice team. When communication is consistent between optometrists and DOs, families receive a clearer message and are more likely to remain engaged with treatment. This collaborative approach may strengthen patient trust, improve adherence and support better clinical outcomes.

As primary eyecare providers, optometrists and DOs share a responsibility to support long-term visual health through evidence-based management strategies rather than correction alone.