Myopia Control Suitable for Adults, Pre-Myopes

Why It Matters

Recognizing adult myopia progression expands the market for myopia‑control products and prompts clinicians to intervene earlier, potentially reducing long‑term vision complications and refractive surgery demand.

Summary

At Vision Expo, optometrist Shalu Pal highlighted that myopia can continue to progress into adulthood, with 20‑40% of people in their 20s still experiencing significant eye growth. Recent data from a 2024 IOVS study showed an average progression of at least 1 diopter between ages 20 and 50, challenging the belief that myopia stabilizes in the teens. Pal recommends applying the same control tools used for children—multifocal spectacles, low‑dose atropine, orthokeratology and soft multifocal lenses—to adults and pre‑myopes to slow onset and progression, even though dedicated adult‑focused research is limited.