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📑 New paper digest · Al-Shammari 2026 · Am J Ophthalmol
Latest Research · Pediatric Myopia · Myopia Control

Are DIMS Lenses Effective for Pediatric Myopia?
Axial Length, Diopters, Evidence & Who Benefits

A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in February 2026 in American Journal of Ophthalmology (Al-Shammari et al., 2026) pooled 6 studies and 1224 children: DIMS spectacle lenses preserved ~0.37 D more diopters and produced ~0.16 mm less axial elongation than single-vision lenses over 12 months, both statistically significant. The original 2-year RCT (Lam et al., 2020) reported a ~52% reduction in myopia progression and ~62% reduction in axial elongation. This article translates the new paper into clinic-friendly language: what DIMS is, how the studies were designed, who may benefit, what limitations remain, and how DIMS sits among other myopia control options. 'Effective' does not mean 'stops myopia' — children wearing DIMS still progress, just more slowly. The decision should be made with an ophthalmologist based on individual factors.

⚠️ Disclaimer: General medical education summarizing a February 2026 meta-analysis and related trials. Does not replace face-to-face evaluation by your child's ophthalmologist. Whether to use myopia-control lenses, which optical design, wearing schedule and follow-up frequency must be individualized. This article does not endorse any specific brand, clinic or physician.
DIMS 鏡片光學設計與單焦鏡片對照 Diagram: DIMS 鏡片光學設計與單焦鏡片對照 DIMS Lens Design vs Single-Vision Lens Single-vision lens Uniform optical zone Refractive correction only Peripheral image focuses behind retina (presumed myopia-progression signal) DIMS lens Central zone Distance correction Microlens segments (+3.50 D) Peripheral myopic defocus signal (presumed axial-growth inhibition signal) 12-month outcomes (Al-Shammari 2026, 6 studies, 1224 children) DIMS preserved 0.37 D more diopters and 0.16 mm less axial elongation * 'Effective' ≠ 'stops myopia' — children still progress, just more slowly
DIMS optical design (right): central zone provides normal refractive correction, while a mid-peripheral annular region embedded with microlens segments (each adding +3.50 D) generates a peripheral myopic-defocus signal hypothesized to suppress abnormal axial elongation. A standard single-vision lens (left) has a uniform optical zone — refractive correction only. The 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis (Al-Shammari et al., Am J Ophthalmol; 6 studies, 1224 children) found DIMS preserved ~0.37 D more diopters and ~0.16 mm less axial elongation at 12 months versus single-vision lenses, both statistically significant. Crucially, 'effective' does not mean 'stops myopia': DIMS-wearing children still progress, just more slowly than single-vision wearers.

1. Common clinic scenarios

'Doctor, my son got new glasses last year — how did he gain another 100 degrees in just one year?'

'I saw something online called DIMS control lenses that supposedly stop myopia from worsening. Do they really work?'

'How does it compare to atropine or ortho-K? Is it actually right for my child?'

Pediatric myopia is extremely common in Taiwan. What parents worry about most isn't the current diopter number — it's 'will it keep getting worse and end up as high myopia? Will my child develop retinal problems later?' That's why myopia control has become a major clinic topic. DIMS (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) is one optical approach in this category — a spectacle lens engineered to slow myopia progression.

In February 2026, American Journal of Ophthalmology published a systematic review and meta-analysis (Al-Shammari et al.) pooling 6 studies and 1224 children — moving the DIMS evidence base forward. This article digests that new paper into clinic-friendly language: what the evidence does and doesn't support, and what questions to bring to your child's ophthalmologist.

2. Bottom line: what you really need to know

30-second takeaways

  • DIMS slows myopia progression and axial elongation in the first year — supported by consistent evidence (Al-Shammari 2026)
  • Pooled analysis (6 studies, 1224 children): DIMS lenses preserved ~0.37 D more diopters and ~0.16 mm less axial elongation over 12 months (both P < .0001)
  • Original 2-year RCT (Lam et al., 2020, BJO): DIMS produced ~52% less myopia progression and ~62% less axial elongation versus single-vision
  • 'Slowing' is not 'stopping' — children still progress, just more slowly
  • Suited for school-age children with progressing myopia; included children aged 8-12 years (mean ~10)
  • Does not replace outdoor activity or regular eye exams — control lenses are an adjunct, not a panacea
  • Long-term evidence is still accumulating — longest follow-up to date is 6 years (Lam et al., 2023, Sci Rep); the new meta-analysis only covers 12 months
  • Whether to use should be decided by an ophthalmologist based on the individual child — not by online articles or marketing

3. Common parent Q&As

Q1: 'What is DIMS? How is it different from regular myopia glasses?'
A: DIMS stands for Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments — a specially designed spectacle lens. The central zone provides normal refractive correction (clear distance vision). The mid-peripheral annular zone contains many small microlens segments delivering an additional +3.50 D positive power, generating a peripheral myopic-defocus signal hypothesized to suppress abnormal axial elongation. The lens looks like a regular pair of glasses externally, but the internal optics differ.
Q2: 'Does it really work? Will my child still get more nearsighted?'
A: Current evidence supports short-term (12-month) slowing of myopia progression and axial elongation. The 2026 meta-analysis (6 studies, 1224 children) found DIMS lenses preserved ~0.37 D more diopters and ~0.16 mm less axial elongation over 12 months (both P < .0001). The original 2-year RCT (Lam 2020) showed DIMS produced ~52% less myopia progression and ~62% less axial elongation versus single-vision. But 'effective' ≠ 'no more myopia' — DIMS-wearing children still progress, just more slowly.
Q3: 'At what age does it work best?'
A: Children in the 2026 meta-analysis were mostly aged 8-12 (mean ~10). Two observations: (1) shorter baseline axial length (i.e., earlier-onset myopia, eye hasn't elongated much yet) → larger relative DIMS benefit; (2) older children (>10 years) responded better in some studies (Buzzonetti et al. 2024 in Italy noted this), possibly because younger eyes elongate so fast the control effect is harder to see. There is no single 'optimal age', but earlier intervention near myopia onset may yield relatively better outcomes. The age appropriate for any individual child should be decided by an ophthalmologist based on diopter, axial length, and near-work intensity.
Q4: 'How do I choose between DIMS, atropine, and ortho-K?'
A: All three are recognized myopia control approaches with different mechanisms, wearing schedules, and limitations. DIMS spectacles are daytime glasses — least disruptive but require full-day wear. Orthokeratology (OK lens) is overnight rigid contact lens — glasses-free during the day but carries contact-lens infection risk. Low-dose atropine is an eye drop — used alone or combined with other methods. The Cochrane 2023 living network meta-analysis (Lawrenson et al.) compared multiple options and concluded each method has potential to slow progression, with different efficacy and limitation profiles. There is no 'best' method — only the method best suited to the individual child. Decision must be made with a full ophthalmologic evaluation.
Q5: 'Can my child stop wearing DIMS later? Will the myopia rebound?'
A: The rebound question remains insufficiently studied. The 2026 meta-analysis's studies mostly observed for 12 months without post-cessation follow-up. The original team's 6-year long-term data (Lam et al., 2023, Sci Rep) shows the safety and sustained benefit of continued wear, but post-cessation changes haven't been clearly reported in large studies. Practically: don't stop on your own — discuss with the ophthalmologist. Typical practice is to wait for refractive stability, axial-length stabilization, and adolescent age before considering a switch back to standard lenses.
Q6: 'Will it blur reading or the blackboard? Affect learning?'
A: The DIMS central optical zone provides normal refractive correction, so distance vision (blackboard) should be no different from standard glasses. A minority of children may notice the peripheral microlenses during the first few days but adapt quickly. Li et al. 2025 (included in the 2026 meta-analysis) specifically assessed vision-related quality of life and found DIMS did not negatively affect children's vision-related QoL. Persistent discomfort warrants a re-check with the ophthalmologist for fit and refraction.
Q7: 'How strong is the evidence in this 2026 paper?'
A: Moderate-strength evidence. Strengths: pooled multi-country (China, Turkey, Italy, Malaysia) and mixed-design (RCTs and retrospective cohorts) data with consistent direction. Limitations: (1) only 12-month follow-up — beyond-1-year effects and post-cessation rebound remain unclear; (2) ~80% of children from China — generalizability to other populations is uncertain; (3) one large real-world cohort (Chun et al. 2025, n=489) accounts for 40% of subjects, potentially skewing pooled estimates; (4) findings apply only to DIMS — cannot generalize to other defocus designs (H.A.L.T., CARE, EDOF spectacles are different products); (5) wear-time compliance was not consistently reported across studies.
Q8: 'If DIMS isn't a cure-all, what else should I do daily?'
A: DIMS is an adjunct, not a substitute for fundamental myopia-prevention habits. Even with DIMS, these still matter: (1) at least 2 hours of outdoor time daily — outdoor light itself slows progression; (2) limit near-work time — 5-10 min breaks every 30-40 min of close work; (3) correct posture and adequate lighting; (4) regular follow-up (typically every 6 months with refraction and axial-length measurement); (5) overall sleep and lifestyle. Don't let 'we wear control lenses' become an excuse to relax these habits — DIMS is a brake-pad, not a hard stop.

4. Why does childhood myopia need 'control'?

'Just wear glasses, why control it?' — a common parental question. But myopia is not merely about blurry vision.

① A rising global public-health issue

Myopia prevalence is rising. According to Holden et al. (Ophthalmology, 2016), about 30% of the global population is currently myopic, projected to reach nearly 50% by 2050. Asian school-age children have particularly high rates — myopia is now flagged by the WHO Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness.

② High myopia raises the risk of sight-threatening complications

High myopia generally means > -6.00 D or axial length > 26 mm. Multiple epidemiologic studies show elevated risk of sight-threatening complications in high myopia:

  • Retinal degeneration, retinal detachment (Saw et al., 2005; Cheng et al., 2013 in Hong Kong high-myope adolescents)
  • Glaucoma (Xu et al., Ophthalmology, 2007: high myopia significantly associated with glaucoma)
  • Myopic maculopathy

In short: controlling pediatric myopia is not just about avoiding thick glasses — it's about reducing the lifelong risk of these complications.

③ Why axial length matters more than diopter

Myopia is fundamentally excessive axial elongation. Once the axial length has grown, it doesn't shrink back. So 'myopia control' is essentially slowing axial elongation. This is why ophthalmologists emphasize axial length over diopter — axial length is an irreversible structural change and a more reliable efficacy indicator.

5. What is a DIMS lens? How does it work?

① In one sentence

DIMS is a spectacle lens whose center corrects refractive error (clear distance vision) while its periphery contains many microlens segments creating peripheral myopic defocus — a signal to the retina meaning 'no need to keep elongating'.

② Optical design

Lens region Design Function
Central zone Same as standard myopic correction (sphere or asphere) Refractive correction; clear distance vision
Mid-peripheral annular region Many microlens segments, each adding +3.50 D positive power Generates peripheral myopic-defocus signal

③ Proposed mechanism

The hypothesized mechanism:

  1. Central image stays clear (child sees normally)
  2. Peripheral image is shifted forward by microlenses, creating peripheral myopic defocus
  3. Retina detects this signal and relays it to the sclera
  4. Sclera slows further growth (scleral remodeling) → axial elongation slows

This mechanism has animal-model support and underlies many 'defocus-based' myopia-control methods (DIMS, ortho-K, dual-focus contact lenses). The 2026 meta-analysis observed consistent effects across Chinese, Italian, Malaysian and Turkish children — supporting a cross-ethnic mechanism (Al-Shammari 2026).

6. Does DIMS really work? Summary of evidence

① The 2020 original 2-year RCT

The foundational DIMS study is Lam et al., 2020, BJO — a double-masked randomized controlled trial:

  • 2-year follow-up, DIMS vs single-vision
  • 52% reduction in myopia progression in the DIMS group
  • 62% reduction in axial elongation in the DIMS group
  • This trial established DIMS in the myopia-control landscape and prompted subsequent multinational studies

② 6-year long-term follow-up

Lam et al., 2023 (Scientific Reports) reports the longest DIMS follow-up to date at 6 years. The 2026 meta-analysis cites this paper as evidence of continued safety and partial sustained benefit with ongoing wear. Specific long-term magnitudes should be referenced from the original article.

③ The 2026 meta-analysis: moving evidence forward

Al-Shammari et al., Am J Ophthalmol 2026, following PRISMA methodology, pooled 6 studies and 1224 children:

Study Country Design N (DIMS / SV) Mean age
Akagun 2025TurkeyRetro cohort54 / 439.6 / 9.9
Buzzonetti 2024ItalyRetro cohort40 / 4011.5 / 11.2
Chun 2025ChinaRetro real-world cohort489 / 1568.8 / 8.8
Li 2025ChinaRCT72 / 7910.7 / 10.4
Dardin 2024MalaysiaRCT20 / 189.6 / 9.5
Zhang 2020ChinaRCT93 / 9010.2 / 10.0

* 3 RCTs + 3 retrospective cohort studies; ~80% of children from Chinese populations.

④ 12-month primary outcomes

Outcome Mean difference vs single-vision Statistical significance Heterogeneity (I²)
Spherical equivalent (SER) 0.37 D less progression (95% CI 0.22-0.51) P < .0001 77% (high)
Axial elongation 0.16 mm less elongation (95% CI 0.13-0.20) P < .0001 41% (moderate)

Heterogeneity (I² 77% for SER, 41% for axial length) reflects between-study variation in effect size. Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses by the authors showed conclusions stable when any single study was removed, supporting robustness.

⚠️ Honest read of the evidence strength

The 2026 meta-analysis represents moderate-strength evidence — directionally consistent and cross-ethnic, but with important limitations to keep in mind:

  • Only 12-month follow-up — beyond-1-year durability and post-cessation rebound are uncertain
  • ~80% Chinese — limited generalizability to Western or other Asian populations
  • One large real-world cohort (Chun 2025, n=489) accounts for 40% of subjects — many had prior control treatment, potentially affecting pooled estimates
  • Does not generalize to other defocus designs (H.A.L.T., CARE, EDOF spectacles are different)
  • Wear-time compliance not consistently reported — daily hours significantly affect efficacy but were inconsistently documented
  • 3 of 6 studies were retrospective (non-randomized) — selection bias possible

7. Who fits? Who may not?

① Subgroups with relatively better response

  • School-age children with progressing myopia — included children mostly aged 8-12
  • Shorter baseline axial length — 'earlier is better' before significant elongation
  • Children > 10 years (Buzzonetti 2024 Italian study observed stronger response)
  • Children who can wear full-time — studies generally required sustained daily wear
  • Families committed to regular follow-up — axial-length and refraction monitoring is key

② Situations where DIMS may not be the right fit

  • Adolescents with long-stable refraction — minimal benefit from progression control
  • Poor compliance — frequent non-wear significantly undermines efficacy
  • Coexisting strabismus, amblyopia, irregular astigmatism, etc. — requires individual ophthalmologic evaluation
  • Already on stable myopia control — adding DIMS requires physician discussion

8. How does DIMS compare to other methods?

There are four major categories of pediatric myopia control. Each has its target population and limitations; decisions must be made with the ophthalmologist. This article does not directly compare efficacy percentages — study designs, populations, and follow-up periods vary substantially. The Cochrane 2023 living network meta-analysis (Lawrenson et al.) is the most comprehensive cross-method comparison available — discuss specifics with your doctor.

① Four-method overview table

Method Form Best fit Main limitations Needs ophthalmologist
DIMS spectacles Daytime glasses School-age children, full-day compliance Full-day wear required; 12-month evidence in this review
Orthokeratology (OK lens) Overnight rigid contact lens Want daytime spectacle-freedom; parents can assist with cleaning Contact-lens-related infection risk (e.g., microbial keratitis); strict hygiene required
Low-dose atropine drops Prescription eye drops at night All ages; standalone or combined Photophobia, mild near blur; possible rebound on cessation; prescription required
Outdoor time (≥ 2 hr/day) Lifestyle (no device/drug) All children — beneficial for prevention and control Requires school/family cooperation; not a substitute for devices or drugs Routine follow-up advised

* This table positions methods rather than ranks efficacy. Direct efficacy comparisons exceed this article's primary source; the Cochrane 2023 living review (Lawrenson et al.) offers the most complete cross-method synthesis.

② How to discuss 'which option' with the ophthalmologist

  • Current refraction, axial length, progression rate — how much D/mm change in the past 12 months?
  • Family myopia history — high-myope parents indicate higher progression risk
  • Compliance capacity — can wear ≥ 10-12 hr/day? Drops? Ortho-K cleaning routine?
  • Parental time and financial commitment — visit frequency, monitoring intensity, total cost differ across methods
  • Child's lifestyle — sufficient outdoor time? Near-work hours?

9. What to watch during DIMS wear

① Wear and follow-up

  • Studies generally required full-day wear — Dardin et al. 2024 (Malaysia RCT) specifically examined full-time-wear outcomes
  • Regular follow-up — typically every 6 months with refraction and axial-length measurement
  • Axial length is the key efficacy indicator — more stable and irreversible than refractive change, better reflects true progression
  • If persistent discomfort (distance blur, edge wobble, headache) → return to ophthalmologist for re-check

② Daily habits matter just as much

Even with DIMS, these basic prevention habits remain essential:

  • ≥ 2 hours of outdoor activity daily — outdoor light itself slows myopia progression; consistent recommendation in international guidelines
  • Limit near-work duration — 5-10 min break every 30-40 min of close work
  • Correct posture, adequate lighting, no reading in moving vehicles
  • Adequate sleep — recent studies suggest a link between sleep duration and myopia progression

💡 Practical reminders

  • DIMS is a brake pad, not a hard stop — progression continues, just more slowly
  • Don't let DIMS become an excuse to skip lifestyle measures — outdoor time and near-work breaks still matter
  • Track axial length, not just diopter — measured with optical biometers (e.g., IOL Master)
  • Return if concerns arise — headache, discomfort, reluctance to wear → re-check, don't tough it out

10. Common myths

Myth 1: 'DIMS stops myopia entirely.'
Truth: Incorrect. The data shows DIMS slows progression — does not stop it. The 2026 meta-analysis shows DIMS-wearing children still progress, just ~0.37 D/year slower than single-vision wearers. The realistic expectation is 'less progression than without DIMS', not 'progression stopped'.
Myth 2: 'More expensive control lenses = more effective; pick the top tier.'
Truth: Not necessarily. There are multiple control-lens designs (DIMS, H.A.L.T., CARE, EDOF spectacles, etc.) — each based on different optics with its own evidence base. This article's findings apply only to DIMS — cannot generalize to other designs. Price doesn't necessarily reflect efficacy. Suitability depends on individual circumstances, compliance, and evidence base — not brand or price.
Myth 3: 'Discontinuing causes severe rebound.'
Truth: DIMS-specific rebound evidence is limited. Rebound has been observed with some other myopia-control methods (e.g., low-dose atropine), but DIMS post-cessation changes are not clearly reported in the 2026 meta-analysis's included studies — most observed continuous wear over 12 months without post-cessation follow-up. Recommendation: don't stop on your own; discuss timing with the ophthalmologist.
Myth 4: 'Earlier is always better — start at 3-4 years.'
Truth: No. The 2026 meta-analysis included children mostly aged 8-12 (mean ~10). There's no evidence supporting DIMS in very young (3-5 yr) children, and compliance would be problematic. The correct concept is 'early intervention upon onset and progression', not 'as young as possible'.
Myth 5: 'With DIMS, outdoor time isn't needed.'
Truth: Big mistake. Outdoor activity is the universally recommended prevention measure — at least 2 hours daily helps both prevention and control. DIMS is an adjunct, not a substitute for fundamental lifestyle measures. Treating control lenses as a 'one-stop solution' while ignoring outdoor time is a very common and very unfortunate myth.
Myth 6: 'DIMS is useless because my friend's kid still got worse.'
Truth: This is the fallacy of mistaking individual anecdotes for population effects. Children on DIMS still progress (it slows, doesn't stop), and individual response varies — baseline axial length, age, compliance, and lifestyle all matter. The right way to assess DIMS efficacy in an individual child is compare progression rate before vs after, not whether progression stopped entirely.

11. Advanced: for readers who want more depth

This section uses somewhat more technical language and suits medical students, residents, optometrists, and readers interested in methodology. General readers can stop at the previous section.

① The biological mechanism of DIMS (peripheral myopic defocus)

Animal studies (chick, tree shrew, primate) show direction-specific retinal responses to defocus signals:

  • Myopic defocus (image focuses in front of retina) → signal toward inhibition of axial growth
  • Hyperopic defocus (image focuses behind retina) → signal toward promotion of axial growth

In standard single-vision lenses, the peripheral focal plane tends to fall behind the retina — hypothesized as a myopiagenic signal. DIMS microlenses shift the peripheral focus in front of the retina (myopic defocus), reversing this signal direction. The downstream retinal signaling pathways and scleral-remodeling mechanisms remain active research areas.

② Why axial length is a more reliable endpoint than diopter

  • Structure vs refraction: axial length is a direct structural change (irreversible); refraction is also influenced by cornea, lens, pupil
  • Cycloplegia caveats: refraction measurement needs cycloplegia to relax accommodation; without it, accommodation creates error — especially in children with strong accommodation
  • Optical biometers (IOL Master 700, Lenstar, Pentacam AXL) measure axial length with 0.01-0.02 mm precision — gold standard for pediatric myopia tracking
  • The 2026 paper explicitly states: axial length is 'the most reliable indicator of treatment success', showing consistent reduction even when refractive changes were modest (Al-Shammari 2026)

③ Methodological notes on the meta-analysis

  • Follows PRISMA 2020 reporting guideline
  • Random-effects model for pooling; computed in R with metafor package
  • Quality assessment: RCTs by ROB-2 (low / some concerns), retrospective cohorts by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (7-8/9; weaker on comparability)
  • Heterogeneity: tau² + I²; SER I² = 77%, primarily driven by Chun 2025 (real-world cohort with many children on prior control treatments, potentially underestimating pure DIMS effect)
  • Sensitivity analysis: leave-one-out (removing each study sequentially); direction of pooled estimate unchanged → supports robustness
  • Buzzonetti 2024 split analysis: subgrouped into < 10 and ≥ 10 years; shown as two data points in the forest plot

④ Ongoing research directions

The authors' suggested research priorities (Future Directions):

  • Longer follow-up (> 2 years; including post-cessation changes)
  • More population validation (Western, Southeast/South Asian)
  • DIMS combined with low-dose atropine — theoretically synergistic, needs rigorous trials
  • Dose-response of wear time — daily hours and efficacy
  • Imaging tools (OCT, ocular biomechanics) to explain inter-individual response variation
  • Larger RCTs to confirm effects and guide treatment by baseline risk

12. Taiwan NHI Coverage (April 2026)

Taiwan NHI coverage of the three main myopia-control methods:

Method NHI coverage Conditions / notes
Low-dose Atropine eye drops (0.1 mg/mL) ✅ Covered
(since May 2023, updated Oct 2024)
• Patients under 18
• Container ≥ 3.5 mL
1 bottle per 4 weeks
DIMS spectacles ❌ Self-pay Spectacle lenses are optical accessories, not in NHI drug coverage. Price varies by brand/frame
Orthokeratology (OK lens) ❌ Self-pay Rigid contact lenses are medical devices, not in NHI drug coverage. Fitting + follow-up costs substantial

💡 Practical reminder

  • Low-dose atropine NHI coverage since 2023 is a major advance — previously self-pay (NT$ thousands per course); now eligible children can get NHI-covered prescriptions. Eligibility, dose, and combination decisions belong to your child's ophthalmologist
  • DIMS and ortho-K remain self-pay — discuss cost and long-term feasibility with the ophthalmologist
  • NHI rules update periodically; this article reflects April 2026 NHI drug regulations. Confirm at NHIA website

* Source: NHIA Drug Coverage Regulations, April 2026, Section 14.9.6 Atropine sulfate 0.1 mg/mL eye drops.

13. Summary: what you can do

If your child's myopia is progressing at ages 6-12: discuss DIMS suitability with the ophthalmologist, after a complete exam (refraction, axial length, binocular function, strabismus/amblyopia screening) — not based on ads or online articles alone.

After starting DIMS: follow up every 6 months — track axial length and refraction, comparing progression rate before vs after.

What DIMS cannot replace: ≥ 2 hr/day outdoor time, near-work breaks, screen-time control, correct posture, sufficient sleep. DIMS is an adjunct, not a substitute for basic habits.

What not to do alone: deciding to start/stop DIMS on your own; mixing myopia-control methods without supervision; buying unverified 'myopia control' products; comparing outcomes against other children across ages. Every child is different — treatment decisions should follow a complete ophthalmologic evaluation.

One final note on this 2026 paper: 12-month DIMS efficacy now has relatively consistent evidence, but long-term (> 1 year) durability, generalizability to Taiwanese children, and combination with other methods remain areas of ongoing investigation. Hopefully this digest equips you for a more substantive conversation at your child's next visit.

📚 HsiaoEye Pediatric Myopia Series

References

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  12. [2026 meta-analysis 納入:Chun 中國 real-world] Chun RKM, Wong KYQ, Lam CSY, et al. Real-world outcomes of defocus incorporated multiple segments lenses on retarding axial elongation in myopic children and adolescents. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024;11:1416286. doi:10.3389/fmed.2024.1416286
  13. [2026 meta-analysis 納入:Li 中國 RCT] Li X, Ma W, Song Y, Yap M, Liu L. Comparison of myopic progression and quality of life wearing either DIMS lenses or single-vision myopia correcting spectacles. J Ophthalmol. 2025;2025:9959251. doi:10.1155/joph/9959251
  14. [2026 meta-analysis 納入:Dardin 馬來西亞 RCT] Syed Mohd Dardin SF, Mohd-Ali B, Norazman FNN, et al. Effectiveness of defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) lens in slowing myopia progression among Malay school children. IIUM Med J Malaysia. 2025;24(1):85-93. doi:10.31436/imjm.v23i04.2611
  15. [2026 meta-analysis 納入:Zhang 中國 RCT] Zhang HY, Lam CSY, Tang WC, Leung M, To CH. Defocus incorporated multiple segments spectacle lenses changed the relative peripheral refraction: a 2-year randomized clinical trial. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2020;61(5):53. doi:10.1167/IOVS.61.5.53
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蕭閔謙 醫師
Min-Chien Hsiao, MD
Position: Ophthalmology Resident
Education: KMU School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine
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This article is a residency-level patient-education note, compiled from international literature for general education only — not individual medical advice. This site does not endorse any drug, device, procedure, or clinic. Per Taiwan Medical Care Act §§85–86, individual outcomes vary.
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