Myopia: What Is It and Why Does It Matter If Children Become Shortsighted?

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Myopia: What Is It and Why Does It Matter If Children Become Shortsighted?

In recent years, you may have noticed more children wearing glasses and heard about the rise of myopia, or shortsightedness, among young people. Myopia is becoming increasingly common worldwide, and for parents, understanding what myopia is—and why managing it early is so important—can make a significant difference in a child’s eye health and overall well-being.

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What Is Myopia?

Myopia, also known as shortsightedness, is a condition where people see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. This happens when the eyeball grows too long, causing light entering the eye to focus in front of the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye) rather than directly on it.

Myopia often starts in childhood and typically progresses through the school years and sometimes even into young adulthood. If left unchecked, this growth can lead to more severe levels of myopia over time.

Why Are So Many Children Becoming Myopic?

The exact causes of myopia are still being studied, but both genetics and lifestyle factors play a role. Children with one or both parents who are myopic are more likely to develop the condition. But beyond genetics, lifestyle has a big impact too. Today’s children spend much more time indoors on activities like reading, doing homework, and using screens—all of which require close-up focus. Meanwhile, they’re spending less time outdoors, and research shows that natural outdoor light plays a role in healthy eye development and can help prevent myopia.

Small girl doing eye test checking examination with female eye doctor in clinic

Why Does It Matter If a Child Becomes Shortsighted?

While a mild degree of myopia can be easily managed with glasses or contact lenses, progressive myopia (where the condition worsens over time) can lead to higher degrees of shortsightedness. This isn’t just about needing stronger glasses; higher levels of myopia are associated with a greater risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including:

Retinal Detachment: The retina can become more fragile in highly myopic eyes, increasing the risk of detachment, which can lead to vision loss if not treated promptly.

Glaucoma: This eye condition, caused by increased pressure in the eye, is more common in people with high myopia and can lead to vision loss.

Myopic Maculopathy: This is a form of macular degeneration specific to myopic eyes that can cause permanent central vision loss.

By managing myopia early, it’s possible to slow down its progression, which can significantly reduce these long-term risks and help maintain healthier eyes throughout a person’s life.

An image of a young childs brown eyes with long eyelashes

a lady holding a tablet displaying text, the text is progressively getting smaller down the page

Can We Prevent or Manage Myopia?

The good news is that while we may not be able to prevent myopia entirely, there are effective ways to slow its progression in children. Here are some of the primary methods available:

Increased Outdoor Time: Encouraging children to spend at least 2 hours a day outdoors has been shown to reduce the risk of developing myopia. Natural light and focusing on distant objects help with healthy eye development.
Limiting Screen Time and Close-Up Work: Reducing prolonged close-up tasks (like reading, using tablets, or smartphones) and taking frequent breaks during these activities can help ease eye strain and slow progression.
Myopia Management Lenses and Contact Lenses: Specially designed lenses, like MiyoSmart glasses and MiSight contact lenses, can help control the way light focuses on the retina, slowing down the eye’s growth and, therefore, myopia progression.
Prescription Eye Drops: Certain low-dose atropine eye drops have shown success in slowing myopia progression however more research is needed. Low dose atropine drops are not yet licenced for use in the UK so are not widely available.

Why Early Intervention Is Key

For parents, regular eye exams are crucial for detecting myopia early. The sooner myopia is identified and managed, the better the chances of reducing its progression. Many optometry practices now offer myopia management programs that include specialized assessments, such as measuring the eye’s length (axial length) and tracking changes over time. These assessments help in creating personalized plans to protect children’s vision for the future.

The Bottom Line

Myopia may seem like a minor issue that can be corrected with glasses, but it has far-reaching implications, especially when it begins in childhood and progresses unchecked. By understanding what myopia is, why it’s becoming more common, and how it can be managed, parents can make informed choices to support their child’s eye health. Early intervention can reduce the risk of serious eye problems later in life, making it well worth the effort to keep an eye on your child’s vision.

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Can We Prevent or Manage Myopia?

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