Reading glasses or bifocals have been shown by numerous studies to slow the movement into myopia, not stop or reverse it. This failure is due to the fact that a full 3 D add is not given, because it would overly disrupt the accommodation/convergence relationship. I recommend the Myopter (see www.myopia.org/myopterpaper.htm) with a full 3 D add for all close work at home, reading slightly beyond the far point with a little blur and forcing the eyes to relax. This should undo the stress that has been set up during the day's schoolwork so the next day's work can be done without building on the ciliary spasm of the previous day.

That first pair of minus glasses should not be prescribed just to enable the child to see the blackboard. Pinhole glasses would be a far safer solution and should also be used for close work in school. (For more on pinholes, see www.myopia.org/pinholes.htm). Of course, using the Myopter for close work in school would be ideal. See "How to Save Your Child's Vison" at www.myopia.org/savechild.htm for more on the Myopter/pinhole solution. The tragic consequences of the myopia elongation of the eye justify these strong measures, regardless of how inconvenient they may be.