Researchers at Frontiers in Public Health asked a straightforward question: can special optical tools help slow myopia (short-sightedness) in children? They studied 40 children aged 8–13 with existing myopia, comparing how their eyes responded to different viewing conditions over 90 minutes.
This matters for Singapore families because myopia rates among young Singaporeans are among the highest globally, and many children spend hours daily on screens for school and leisure.
Special screens and lenses protected eyes during screen time
The study divided children into two groups. One half watched videos on regular tablets; the other used a special distant-image screen designed to make content appear as if viewed from far away. Some children wore standard glasses, while others wore DIMS lenses (defocus-incorporated multiple segments)—special lenses that correct myopia while creating helpful blur in peripheral vision.
The results were striking. Children on regular tablets showed myopia worsening, while those on the distant-image screen did not. Even more promising: children wearing DIMS lenses showed measurable thickening in the choroid, a blood vessel layer beneath the retina. A thicker choroid is associated with slower myopia progression. When both tools were combined, the protective effect was strongest.
The findings are encouraging but limited to short-term observation
This was a small pilot study tracking changes over just 90 minutes. We cannot yet say whether these benefits hold over months or years of real-world use. The study also did not compare outcomes between different age groups or severity levels of myopia, so we don't know if results apply equally to all children. However, the biological mechanism—choroid thickening—aligns with what eye specialists already understand about myopia protection.
How to explore these options with your eye doctor
- Ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist whether DIMS lenses suit your child's prescription and myopia level.
- Position screens further from your child's eyes than typical reading distance, mimicking the distant-viewing principle tested here.
- Combine screen adjustments with outdoor time; sunlight exposure remains independently proven to slow myopia progression.