Rising Rates of Childhood Myopia: What Parents Need to Know

Is your child struggling to see the board at school? Squinting at the TV? Holding books or devices too close? These could all be signs of myopia, or ‘short-sightedness’ – a vision issue that’s becoming increasingly common in children.

A recent study found that 27% of Australian children tested had myopia (1). However, the true statistics are expected to be larger, given an alarming 30% of Aussie kids have never even had an eye exam! (2)

If left untreated, childhood myopia can lead to serious eye conditions, and in extreme cases even blindness (3) – which is why early detection through regular eye exams is so vital.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, also known as ‘short-sightedness’ or ‘near-sightedness’, is when distant objects appear blurry while close-up vision remains clear. It happens when the eyeball grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

It’s a lifelong condition and can’t be cured, however treatment is available to slow or halt the progression.

Why is Childhood Myopia becoming more common?

In today’s digital world, children are spending more time on screens and less time outdoors – both risk factors for myopia (4,5).

Less outdoor play increases myopia risk in children because natural sunlight and exposure to distant objects help regulate eye growth, preventing the excessive elongation of the eyeball, which can lead to near-sightedness. Reduced time outdoors also means more close-up activities, like screen use, which further strain developing eyes.

Even prolonged close-up tasks unrelated to devices, like reading books, have been associated with myopia. However, the good news is – studies show this risk can be reduced by balancing with ample outdoor exposure (4).

Signs to Look Out For

Children often don’t realise they have vision problems, as they don’t know any different, so it’s important to watch for symptoms. These may include:

Difficulty seeing the board at school
Sitting close to the TV
Holding screens and books very close
Frequent squinting or eye rubbing
Complaints of headaches or tired eyes

A Treatable Condition

The good news is childhood myopia is very treatable – the key is identifying it early. In Australia, most children’s eye exams are free for eligible Medicare holders. If you’re based in the Redlands, it’s super easy to make an appointment online with our experienced children’s optometrist team at Aphrodite Livanes.

If your child is diagnosed with myopia, a tailored treatment plan will be put in place to help slow its progression and improve vision. This could include:

Prescription Glasses or Contact Lenses – fitted with Hoya MiYOSMART or Zeiss MyoKids lenses.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses – Special overnight lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea.
Atropine Eye Drops – Low-dose prescription drops used to help slow the progression of myopia.
Recommended Lifestyle Modifications – including increasing outdoor time, proper posture, working distance, lighting, and other techniques to reduce visual stress.
Vision Therapy– a series of programmed activities designed to improve vision.

Slowing or Preventing Myopia

While genetics can play a role in whether your child may develop myopia (5), lifestyle factors are key to reducing the risk. Here’s how you can help:

Encourage outdoor play – As studies indicate that this helps to lower myopia risk (6)
Limit screen time – Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds
Ensure proper lighting – Make sure reading and screen time occur in well-lit areas, with the screen no brighter than the environment.

The Importance of Regular Eye Tests

Undiagnosed myopia can affect learning, social wellbeing, and development (7), so don’t wait. If you’re based in the Redlands, book your child’s eye test with Aphrodite Livanes Optometrists today and give them the best start to their education.

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