In recent years, optometrists worldwide have been seeing the same worrying trend: more children are developing myopia (short-sightedness), and it’s happening at younger ages than ever before.
This isn’t just about needing glasses to see the board at school—progressive myopia can increase the risk of serious eye problems in adulthood, such as glaucoma, cataracts, myopic maculopathy, and even retinal detachment.
The good news? With regular eye exams and modern myopia management options, we can make a real difference.
What Exactly is Myopia?
Myopia happens when the eye grows slightly too long from front to back, meaning light focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This makes distant objects appear blurry while close-up vision remains clear.
Why is it becoming more common?
Researchers believe it’s a combination of genetics and environmental factors:
Family history: If one or both parents are short-sighted, the likelihood is much higher for their child.
Screen-heavy lifestyles: Extended time on tablets, phones, and computers means more “near work” for the eyes.
Lack of outdoor time: Studies suggest that spending at least 90 minutes a day outdoors in natural light can help protect against myopia onset.
Signs Your Child May Be Short-Sighted
Children don’t always realise they’re not seeing clearly—it’s simply “normal” to them. Watch for these signs:
Sitting close to the TV or leaning into screens
Struggling to see the board at school
Squinting or closing one eye to focus
Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
Complaining of headaches or tired eyes
Holding books or devices very close to their face
Even without visible signs, it’s possible for a child’s prescription to change—another reason why annual eye exams are essential.
Why Myths Can Be Harmful
There’s plenty of misinformation about myopia:
❌ “Eye exercises can cure it” – They can’t. Myopia is caused by the physical shape of the eye, not “weak muscles”.
❌ “We’ll just give them weaker glasses so it doesn’t get worse” – Under-correcting vision has no proven benefit and may actually make myopia progress faster, while causing blur that affects learning and sports.
The Impact of Progressive Myopia
Mild myopia often just means wearing glasses or contact lenses. But as myopia progresses into higher prescriptions, the risks for future eye disease increase significantly. The elongation of the eye stretches the retina, making it more fragile and vulnerable to damage.
That’s why modern optometry focuses not only on correcting vision but also on slowing the rate of progression—especially in children.
Modern Myopia Control Options
At The Opticians, we use clinically proven methods to help slow myopia progression:
MiYOSMART lenses – Innovative spectacle lenses shown to slow progression by up to 60% in children (British Journal of Ophthalmology).
NaturalVue Multifocal 1 Day contact lenses – Studies show 98% of children wearing them experienced slowed progression.
Lifestyle guidance – Encouraging regular outdoor time, screen breaks, and healthy visual habits.
These treatments don’t “cure” myopia, but they can help keep prescriptions lower, reducing future risks to eye health.
Why Early Action is Key
Once the eye has grown longer, we can’t reverse it—but we can slow further elongation. The earlier we start, the more effective myopia management can be.
Every year counts—a child whose myopia is detected and treated at age 7 can have a much better outcome than one starting treatment at age 12.
Practical Tips for Parents
You can help protect your child’s vision with these daily habits:
Encourage at least 90 minutes outdoors every day (even if it’s cloudy)
Use the 20-20-20 rule for screen time: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
Keep screens and books at least 30–40cm from the eyes
Make annual eye exams part of your back-to-school routine
Trusted Resources for Further Reading
Your child’s eyesight is for life. Book their eye test today and give them the best chance at a clearer, healthier future.
Find out more here:
https://www.theopticiansuk.com/myopia-management/
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