Quick answer. Singapore has among the world’s highest childhood myopia rates: around 65% of children are short-sighted by age 12. Myopia matters because high myopia in adulthood raises lifelong risks of retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic maculopathy and cataract. Evidence-based ways to slow progression include low-dose atropine eye drops (0.01-0.05%), which SNEC/SERI trials show can slow progression by about 50-60%; at least roughly 2 hours of outdoor time daily; orthokeratology (ortho-k) overnight lenses; and myopia-control spectacles or soft contact lenses. Standard single-vision glasses correct vision but do not slow progression. See an optometrist or eye doctor for an individualised plan.
Singapore has one of the highest rates of childhood short-sightedness (myopia) in the world. By age 12, roughly 65% of local children are myopic, and a meaningful proportion develop high myopia. This is not just about needing thicker glasses each year — high myopia in later life carries a higher risk of sight-threatening conditions such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic maculopathy and early cataract.
The good news is that myopia progression in children can be slowed with evidence-based treatments. This guide explains what actually works according to Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and the national myopia programme — and what does not — so you can discuss the right plan with your child’s eye-care provider.
At a glance
| Approach | How it works / evidence | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Low-dose atropine eye drops (0.01-0.05%) | Drops slow eyeball elongation; SNEC/SERI trials show ~50-60% slowing of progression with 0.01% | Once-nightly drops; minimal side effects at low dose; needs eye-doctor prescription and monitoring |
| Increased outdoor time (~2h/day) | Time outdoors is protective and reduces myopia onset/progression; basis of HPB's national programme | Free and low-risk; benefits eye health and general wellbeing |
| Orthokeratology (ortho-k) | Rigid lenses worn overnight reshape the cornea; can slow progression and give daytime clear vision without glasses | Requires careful lens hygiene; small infection risk; fitted by trained practitioners |
| Myopia-control spectacles / soft contact lenses | Special lens designs (e.g. defocus-incorporating) slow elongation versus standard lenses | Convenient; effectiveness varies by child; needs professional fitting |
| Standard single-vision glasses (correction only) | Correct blurred vision but do NOT slow progression | Still needed for clear sight; combine with a control method if progressing |
Why childhood myopia matters in Singapore
Myopia is extremely common here: about 65% of children are myopic by age 12, among the highest rates globally. The concern is not only blurred distance vision now, but the long-term risk of high myopia (very strong prescriptions), which is linked to a higher lifetime risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic maculopathy and early cataract. Slowing progression in childhood lowers the chance of reaching high myopia as an adult, which is why early action matters.
Atropine eye drops: the most studied treatment
Low-dose atropine eye drops are a cornerstone of myopia control in Singapore. SNEC and SERI ran landmark trials showing that 0.01% atropine can slow myopia progression by around 50-60% in young children over multi-year follow-up, with minimal side effects. This research led to the locally developed Myopine™ drop.
- Concentrations commonly used range from 0.01% to 0.05%; the right strength is decided by the eye doctor.
- Side effects at low dose are usually mild (occasional light sensitivity or slight near-vision blur).
- Atropine is prescription-only and needs regular monitoring — it is not a do-it-yourself remedy.
Outdoor time and other lifestyle measures
Spending more time outdoors is one of the few lifestyle factors with good evidence for reducing myopia onset and progression. Guidance commonly cited is around two hours of outdoor time per day. Singapore’s Health Promotion Board built its National Myopia Prevention Programme around outdoor activity, good near-work habits and regular school vision screening — and P1 myopia prevalence has fallen and stabilised at around 26%.
- Encourage outdoor play and breaks from screens and books.
- Follow sensible near-work habits (adequate lighting, regular breaks, reasonable working distance).
Ortho-k and myopia-control lenses
Orthokeratology (ortho-k) uses rigid lenses worn overnight that gently reshape the cornea, giving clearer daytime vision without glasses and helping slow progression. It requires strict lens hygiene because of a small risk of eye infection, so it must be fitted and monitored by trained practitioners.
Myopia-control spectacles and soft contact lenses use special optical designs to slow eyeball elongation compared with standard lenses. These are convenient options, though the degree of benefit varies between children. Your optometrist or eye doctor can advise which method suits your child’s age, prescription and lifestyle.
What does NOT work
Some popular ideas have little or no evidence for slowing myopia:
- Standard single-vision glasses or contact lenses correct vision but do not slow progression.
- Eye exercises, eye massages, vitamin/herbal ‘myopia cures’ and gadgets marketed to reverse short-sightedness are not proven to control myopia.
- Myopia generally cannot be reversed — the realistic goal is to slow its progression during the growing years.
Be cautious of products promising to ‘cure’ myopia, and rely on evidence-based options under professional supervision.
When to see an eye doctor or optometrist
Have your child’s eyes checked if you notice squinting, sitting very close to screens/TV, holding books close, frequent headaches, eye-rubbing, or rapidly worsening prescriptions. Children in Singapore are screened from kindergarten through the national programme, but parents should not wait for school screening if there are concerns.
Seek prompt attention for sudden vision loss, sudden flashes of light, many new floaters, or a curtain/shadow over vision — these can signal retinal problems and need urgent assessment.
Related guides
- Best Eye Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
- eye clinics directory
- Squint & lazy eye (amblyopia)
- Pterygium (surfer's eye)
- Macular degeneration (AMD)
Sources
- SNEC – Myopia Centre: Patient Care (atropine, treatment)
- HPB – Singapore reduces myopia prevalence (national programme)
- MOH – Myopia-related eye disorders
- SingHealth/SNEC – Childhood myopia and atropine eye drops
Related conditions & guides
Related conditions and guides you may find useful:
- Cataract Surgery in Singapore
- Diabetic Retinopathy in Singapore
- Dry Eye Syndrome in Singapore
- Eye Floaters and Flashes in Singapore
- Glaucoma in Singapore
- LASIK Cost in Singapore
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