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Background/aims The global increase in childhood myopia underscores the need for effective control strategies. This study compares the effectiveness of Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses versus 0.01% atropine eye drops in slowing myopia progression in European children. This report summarises 1-year outcomes from an ongoing 2-year clinical trial.Methods A total of 110 Polish children aged 6–16 years, without significant ocular pathology, were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A received single-vision spectacles plus nightly 0.01% atropine drops; group B received DIMS spectacle lenses plus nightly placebo drops. Primary outcomes were changes in cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length, measured every 6 months.Results After 12 months, mean axial elongation was 0.19±0.03 mm in group A and 0.11±0.02 mm in group B. Among 6–11-year olds, group A showed greater elongation (0.30±0.05 mm) than group B (0.15±0.02 mm). For 12–16-year olds, axial elongation was 0.10±0.02 mm in group A and 0.07±0.02 mm in group B. Mean SER progression was 0.37±0.06 D in group A and 0.23±0.05 D in group B. In the younger group (6–11 years), SER progression was higher in group A (0.60±0.1 D) than group B (0.25±0.05 D). Among older children (12–16 years), SER changes were similar between groups (0.19±0.05 D vs 0.21±0.08 D).Conclusion DIMS spectacle lenses demonstrated superior efficacy to the 0.01% atropine in controlling myopia progression in this cohort, particularly among children aged 6–11 years. These findings support DIMS lenses as an effective intervention for myopia control in Caucasian populations.