Guildford Eye Clinic · Myopia control · Surrey, BC

Myopia control in Surrey, BC.

Guildford Eye Clinic has a kids' myopia control program, led by Dr. Laura Lin, for children whose glasses prescription keeps getting stronger. We measure the length of the eye with axial-length biometry and treat with low-dose atropine eye drops, soft multifocal myopia control contact lenses, and MiyoSmart and Myoeye by Specsavers spectacle lenses. Inside Specsavers Guildford Town Centre, Surrey.

Book a children's eye exam Or call us about the program

The real issue in myopia

It is about the length of the eye, not just the glasses.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, happens when the eye grows a little too long from front to back. That length is called the axial length, and it is the real measure of myopia. As a child grows, the eye keeps lengthening, which is why a child's prescription can climb at every visit.

This matters for more than thicker glasses. A longer eye is associated with a higher lifetime risk of serious conditions later in life, including macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and glaucoma. The goal of myopia control is to keep both the prescription and the axial length as low as possible during the growing years.

Measurement first

We measure progression before the prescription does.

A prescription change is a lagging sign. By the time a child needs a stronger lens, the eye has already changed. We use axial-length biometry (eye-length measurement, also called ocular biometry), a precise scan that measures the axial length of the eye, so we can see progression months earlier and act in time. Tracking axial length over time is also the most accurate way to see whether a treatment is working.

The scan takes seconds per eye and nothing touches the eye. For what to expect and how often it is repeated, see our parent guide to axial length.

The options

Evidence-based myopia control we offer.

Low-dose atropine eye drops

A small drop at bedtime, used in low concentrations to slow progression while keeping side effects minimal for most children. Can be used on its own or alongside other methods.

Soft multifocal myopia control contact lenses

Daily contact lenses designed specifically for myopia control, worn during the day. A comfortable option for many school age children who are ready for lenses.

MiyoSmart and Myoeye spectacle lenses

Myopia control glasses lenses with special zones that help slow eye growth while giving clear vision. We fit MiyoSmart and Myoeye by Specsavers, a good fit for children not yet ready for contact lenses.

Chosen with you, from the data

The right option depends on your child's age, prescription, eye health, and routine. We recommend the best fit after a full assessment, then track axial length to confirm it is working.

Our program in Surrey

Led by Dr. Laura Lin.

Guildford Eye Clinic's kids' myopia control program is led by Dr. Laura Lin and built around careful measurement and a plan that fits each child. We are inside Specsavers at Guildford Town Centre, with easy mall parking, caring for the whole family in one place. Every child in the program also receives Captain Clear: The Epic Myopia Wars, a comic adventure written by our own Dr. Phil Xue, to help kids take ownership of their eye health.

A full eye exam is covered yearly by MSP for children 18 and under, and that exam is where we assess whether myopia control is right for your child. The treatments themselves are a separate program and are not covered by MSP, but we direct bill most insurance plans and explain every cost clearly before anything begins.

More reading for parents: Myopia in kids: what parents ask (signs, when to start, the first visit), The four pillars of myopia management (how the program is structured), and Why the prescription is not the real measure of myopia.

Good to know

Myopia control FAQ.

Do you have a myopia control program for kids in Surrey?

Yes. Guildford Eye Clinic has a kids' myopia control program led by Dr. Laura Lin, inside Specsavers Guildford Town Centre in Surrey. It uses axial-length biometry to measure and track eye growth, and treatments matched to each child. It starts with a children's eye exam, covered yearly by MSP for kids 18 and under.

What is myopia control?

Myopia control is a set of treatments that slow how fast a child's nearsightedness progresses. The real goal is to slow the growth in the length of the eye, called the axial length, because a longer eye drives the prescription up and carries higher lifetime risk to eye health. We measure axial length and choose a treatment that fits your child.

What myopia control treatments do you offer in Surrey?

We offer low-dose atropine eye drops, soft multifocal myopia control contact lenses, and myopia control spectacle lenses: MiyoSmart and Myoeye by Specsavers. The right option depends on your child's age, prescription, eye health, and daily routine, and we choose it together after a full assessment that includes axial-length biometry. We do not currently offer orthokeratology (ortho-k).

How do you measure whether myopia is getting worse?

With axial-length biometry, a quick eye-length measurement where nothing touches the eye. Tracking the length of the eye over time shows progression earlier than the glasses prescription and tells us whether a treatment is working.

Is myopia control covered by MSP?

A full eye exam is covered yearly by MSP for children 18 and under, and that exam is where we assess whether myopia control is right for your child. The myopia control treatments themselves are a separate program and are not covered by MSP. We direct bill most insurance plans and explain all costs clearly before starting.

When should myopia control start?

It works best when it begins early, soon after nearsightedness is first found, because the fastest progression often happens in younger children. If your child's prescription is increasing each year, it is worth an assessment at any age through the teens.

Related services

More eye care in Surrey.

Children's eye exam

Covered yearly by MSP for kids under 19. Learn more.

Eye exam in Surrey

Comprehensive exam with OCT imaging included. Learn more.

Worried about your child's vision?

Start with a children's eye exam in Surrey.

A full exam is covered yearly by MSP for kids 18 and under, with OCT included, and it is the first step in myopia control. Book online any time, or call us at (604) 229-9627.

Book your child's eye exam online