An ophthalmic lens element is disclosed. The, ophthalmic lens element includes a central region of low surface astigmatism and a peripheral region. The central region includes an upper viewing zone for providing a first power suitable for a wearer's distance vision tasks. The peripheral region has a positive power relative to the first power, and surrounds the central region. The peripheral region provides an optical correction for retarding or arresting myopia for a wearer and includes one or more regions of relatively higher surface astigmatism, a lower or near viewing zone of low surface astigmatism, and a corridor of low surface astigmatism having a surface power varying from that of the upper viewing zone to that of the lower viewing zone. The lower viewing zone is for a wearer's near vision tasks.