The Concerning Projection of Myopia in Children

A recent study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology revealed an alarming trend: in 2023, up to 30% of children and teenagers globally were diagnosed with nearsightedness. Experts predict this rate will increase significantly, with nearly 740 million young people expected to be affected by 2050.
The statistic that 1 in 3 kids are nearsighted (myopic) is concerning, especially because myopia can progress over time, potentially leading to more serious vision issues later in life, such as retinal detachment or glaucoma. The rise in myopia also points to a broader public health concern that needs to be addressed.
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The COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to a spike in nearsightedness in children due to increased screen time and reduced outdoor activities. Kids were spending more time on digital devices for remote learning and recreation, which requires sustained near-focus, a known risk factor for the development and progression of myopia. Outdoor activity, which has been shown to have a protective effect on eye growth, was significantly reduced for some kids during lockdowns, further exacerbating the issue.

Child describes myopia or nearsightedness

Unaddressed vision problems can have several significant consequences for children, including academic problems, social and emotional struggles, behavioral issues, and as mentioned before, long-term consequences for the health of your eyes. We all understand that being able to see clearly is important for school, but there are many different visual skills we need for learning. Nearsightedness is the most common developmental vision problem, but early vision problems can start with tracking difficulties, poor ability to adapt the focus of the eyes or use the two eyes as a team, or a number or combination of other functional problems that arise from too much stress on the visual system at an early age.

Read Dr. Jesse’s quote in "COVID lockdowns led to spike in kids’ vision problems, 1 in 3 now nearsighted, study finds"

There are several action items parents can put in place to help protect their child’s eye health.

1. Encourage outdoor play. Time outdoors is known to be protective against developing nearsightedness, and it promotes dynamic use of our vision. It’s not a guaranteed deterrent, but we know it helps your odds.
2. Limit screen time. For very young children who haven’t started school yet, an argument could be made for only allowing screen time when video-chatting with friends and family. For school aged children, matching screen time 1 to 1 with outdoor time and limiting screen sessions to no more than 20 minutes at a time are good rules of thumb. Also make sure screen time is done ergonomically, with screens held at least 12 inches away and done while maintaining good posture.
3. Get annual eye exams, preferably with an eye care provider that understands visual development. Developmental optometrists have more training and experience in this area, and are typically affiliated with OVDRA, the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association, and can be found through that organization.

If your child is at high risk of developing nearsightedness or already is nearsighted, consider finding a Myopia Management specialist like Brighter Outlook Vision. Learn more about how we can help manage your child’s myopia for a healthier, better life.

In general, maintaining a balanced lifestyle with good diet, exercise, and sleep is supportive for all aspects of childhood development, including vision. Rely on vision experts to guide you in carrying for your specific child, and maintain regular, yearly appointments with your eyecare provider.

Your children will thank you now and life-long.

Dr. Jesse evaluates a child's vision