Children's Eye Tests & Myopia Management in Melbourne
1 in 4 Australian children may have a vision issue – yet many parents don’t realise it yet.
Common Signs Your Child Might Need an Eye Test
– Either or both parents have a prescription for myopia
– They have prolonged periods looking at screens or books
– You notice your child:
- Frequent blinking or rubbing their eyes
- Squinting or sitting very close when watching TV
- Difficulty concentrating
- Holding a book very close to read
- Squinting or sitting very close when watching television
- One eye turns in or out while the other points straight
“But my child hasn’t said anything…”
Most kids don’t realise they have a vision problem — they assume what they see is normal.
Why Parents Trust Eye Philosophy
Our Optometrists Work Brilliantly With Kids
From toddlers to teens, our optometrists use non-invasive tools and tests designed for young children, such as pictures and shapes.
Children's Eye Tests Are Partially Bulk-Billed With Medicare
We believe every child deserves clear vision, and providing partially bulk-billed eye tests with a low gap fee ensures cost isn’t a barrier.
Convenient Locations in Williamstown & Doncaster
Easily accessible to families in Melbourne’s east and west, our clinics are designed for comfort and care.
What Happens in a Children’s Eye Test?
- Non-invasive prescription checks for short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness, and astigmatism
- Gentle testing of eye movement and eye health
- Early detection of lazy eye (amblyopia), focusing issues, or eye teaming problems
- Discussion with you about any related family eye health history, learning, behavioural, or posture concerns
“Will it be scary or stressful?“
Not at all — we use child-friendly equipment and calm explanations. Most kids leave smiling!
What is Myopia – and Why It Matters
Myopia (short-sightedness) is on the rise — especially among children under 12. And it’s not just about blurry distance vision.
Left unmanaged, it can lead to:
– Rapid vision decline
– A higher risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment in the future
– Life-long dependence on glasses or high-prescription contact lenses
“But, aren’t glasses enough?”
No — glasses correct vision, but they don’t slow progression.
Myopia Control: How We Help Your Child
We offer a full suite of evidence-based treatments tailored to your child’s eyes, lifestyle, and age:
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses
These custom contact lenses are worn nightly to reshape the cornea. Your child wakes up with clearer vision — no glasses or lenses needed during the day.
Myopia Control Prescription Lenses
We prescribe specific prescription lenses, like HOYA MiYOSMART and Essilor Stellest that actively control eye growth, whilst correcting vision.
Myopia Control Daytime Contact Lenses
These daytime contact lenses are designed to be worn during the day, providing clear vision while controlling myopia progression.
Daily Atropine Eye Drops
A low-dose daily drop scientifically shown to slow down worsening myopia — great for younger kids not ready for contact lenses.
Holistic Eye Health Advice for Kids/Teens
Modern lifestyles contribute to myopia. We guide your family with habits that support lifelong eye health.
Advanced Red Light Therapy
A modern, non-invasive treatment utilizing specific light wavelengths to promote cellular healing, soothe ocular inflammation, and support cutting-edge vision care solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you bulk bill children's eye exams?
We partially bulk-bill with Medicare, with a fixed out-of-pocket gap fee of $30 for both adult and children’s eye exams. This means the remainder of the fee will be bulk-billed directly to Medicare for you.
Kindly note any additional scans may incur out-of-pocket costs which we will always discuss upfront before proceeding.
How common are vision problems in children?
Around 1 in 4 Australian kids have a vision issue. Many go undetected until they affect schoolwork or behaviour.
What age should a child first see an optometrist?
Ideally before they start school, then annually until age 18.
What is myopia and why is it serious?
Myopia makes distant objects blurry and is caused by the eye growing too long. It increases the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and other eye diseases later in life.
What causes myopia in kids?
Genetics, too much screen time, and not enough outdoor play. Kids with one myopic parent are 2–3x more likely to develop it, and with two parents increases the risk to 5–6x.
How do I know if my child’s myopia is progressing?
If you notice your child struggling to see (squinting, blinking frequently, etc), with or without glasses, this could be a sign that their myopia has progressed.
At Eye Philosophy, we use advanced eye-mapping tools to track changes — even before your child notices them.
Can myopia be cured?
Myopia can’t be cured, but its progression can be slowed with modern treatments such as Ortho-K, myopia control prescription lenses (such as HOYA’s MiYOSMART), MiSight lenses, and Atropine drops.
What’s the best way to prevent or manage myopia?
Follow the 3 O’s:
- Off Screens: Take regular device breaks
- Outside: Aim for 2 hours of outdoor time daily
- Optometrist: Book regular eye tests, starting from school age
My child isn’t showing symptoms. Should I still book an eye test?
Yes. Many eye issues, including myopia, develop without symptoms. Early diagnosis allows us to manage it before it worsens.
What if my child already wears glasses?
They may still benefit from myopia control to stop their prescription from worsening.
Are there any side effects from wearing Myopia Control spectacle lenses?
Myopia control prescription lenses, such as HOYA’s MiYOSMART and Essilor’s Stellest, are a safe, non-invasive solution. They are generally well-tolerated, with clinical studies have showed no side effects. Some children may experience minor, temporary side effects like blurry vision or a slight feeling of dizziness when they first begin wearing them, but this typically subsides within the first week or two.
Do Myopia Control spectacle lenses require a special frame?
No, these lenses can be fitted into any frame your child chooses, allowing them to pick a style they love. This makes the transition to new glasses easy and fun.
How long does my child have to wear the Myopia Control spectacle lenses?
For the best results, it is recommended that your child wears their myopia control spectacle lenses full-time, ideally for at least 12 hours a day. Consistent wear is crucial for the technology to be effective.
What happens if my child stops using the Myopia Control lenses?
If your child stops wearing the lenses, myopia progression may resume, as the technology is no longer actively working to slow eye growth. However, clinical studies have shown that there is no “rebound effect,” meaning the myopia progression will not accelerate beyond the natural rate.
Are Myopia Control spectacle lenses covered by insurance?
As a specialised medical product, myopia control spectacle lenses may or may not be covered by your optical benefits. Coverage varies widely depending on your specific provider and policy. We recommend contacting your insurance company to find out more about your benefits.
Are there other Myopia Control solutions?
Yes, there are various other Myopia Control solutions, such as:
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses – worn nightly to sleep, these custom designed lenses gently reshape your child’s eyes overnight, allowing them to see clearly during the day once removed in the morning. This allows them to be glasses-free during the day!
- MiSight Contact Lenses – daytime contact lenses that provide clear vision and help to control myopia progression
- Atropine Eyedrops
Are Ortho-K lenses comfortable?
Children’s Eye Health Blog Posts
Stay informed with our latest expert insights on children’s vision care and myopia management:
Explore more eye health tips on our [blog].
Give Your Child the Best Start in Eye Health
Myopia management is an investment in your child’s future eye health. The earlier we intervene, the more we can slow its progression and reduce long-term risks.