Myopia, or short sightedness, is becoming increasingly common in children worldwide. While it can be corrected with glasses, its rapid rise is now considered a significant public health concern. By understanding what myopia is and why it’s becoming more prevalent, parents can take steps to help protect their child’s vision.
What is Myopia?
Myopia is a refractive eye condition where close objects appear clear, but distant vision is blurred. It often develops during childhood and currently affects one in three people in the UK. This happens when the eye grows too long or the front surface of the eye is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
When myopia develops at a young age, it tends to progress more quickly, increasing the likelihood of higher levels of short-sightedness later in life.
A Growing Concern
There has been a noticeable increase in myopia worldwide over recent decades. Large-scale research involving over five million children highlights an upward trend, with projections suggesting that by 2050, 740 million children and teenagers could be affected.
Why Are More Children Becoming Myopic?
Experts, including research supported by organisations like Fight for Sight, suggest that myopia is influenced by a mix of genetics and modern lifestyle factors.
Children are now spending significantly more time using digital devices such as phones, tablets, and computers. Extended periods of close-up focus may impact how the eyes develop.
Time spent outside plays an important role in eye health. Natural light is believed to support normal eye growth, and children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop myopia.
Recent lifestyle shifts, including increased indoor time and screen use during lockdown periods, have contributed to a rise in cases.
Genetics also play a role. Children with one or both parents who are short-sighted are more likely to develop myopia themselves.
Modern education often involves prolonged reading, writing, and screen-based tasks, often with fewer breaks and less outdoor activity, which may increase risk.
Why Early Detection Matters
Myopia is more than just needing specs. Higher levels of myopia can increase the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal issues and other complications linked to the stretching of the eye.
The earlier myopia is identified, the better it can be managed. Regular eye exams are the key to monitoring changes and slowing progression where possible.
In children, this can be more difficult as their eyes have a strong ability to focus, known as accommodation. Because this focusing system is highly responsive in children, they can often adapt well to small changes in vision and may not notice early signs of blur. This can make myopia harder to detect in its early stages. For this reason, eye care professionals may sometimes use cycloplegic eye drops to help relax focusing during an examination, allowing for a more accurate prescription.
How Can Parents Help Prevent or Slow Myopia?
While full prevention isn’t always possible due to genetics, evidence-based strategies suggest you can significantly reduce the risk and slow its progression.
Aim for at least 1-2 hours a day of outdoor time as this stimulates the release of dopamine in the retina, which helps regulate eye growth and prevents the eyeball from growing too long.
Limit prolonged use of digital devices and encourage regular breaks. Take breaks every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to relax focusing muscles.
Make sure children take breaks during homework or reading to reduce eye strain.
Routine check-ups help detect and manage myopia early, especially if there is a family history.
At Martyn Kemp Opticians, we’re proud to offer MiSight 1 day contact lenses for children that are designed to correct your child’s vision while slowing down the progression of myopia. They are designed with dual zones for myopia management and correction and are proven to reduce myopia up to 50% after 3 years of wear.
We also offer MiYOSMART spectacle lenses that use Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments technology to provide clear vision and myopic defocus simultaneously that is proven to reduce the rate of myopia progression by 60%.
A Proactive Approach to Children’s Eye Health
The increase in myopia is closely linked to modern lifestyles, but that also means there are ways to respond. Encouraging outdoor time, managing screen use, and prioritising eye health can all make a meaningful difference.
While myopia is becoming more common, early detection and the right support can help protect your child’s future vision.
If you have any concerns, book an eye exam at Martyn Kemp Opticians or speak to a member of our expert team for personalised advice and guidance.
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