Understanding Myopia in Children and How to Act Early
Is short-sightedness becoming more common among children?
Yes, short-sightedness in children is increasing at an alarming rate. Current projections suggest that every second child may become short-sighted during their school years. By the year 2050, it is estimated that two thirds of all children in Europe will be affected by myopia, the medical term for short-sightedness.
This rise is happening despite the fact that vision correction itself is relatively straightforward. The real concern is not thick glasses, but the long-term eye health risks associated with untreated or progressing myopia in children.
What does it mean if a child is short-sighted?
If your child is short-sighted, they can see objects clearly at close distances, but struggle to see things far away, such as the blackboard at school, road signs, or sports activities.
Short-sightedness occurs when the eye grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. A normal eye length is approximately 23.5 millimetres, and every additional millimetre of eye length corresponds to around -3.0 dioptres of myopia.
Why are more children becoming short-sighted now?
Short-sightedness has always existed, but the sharp increase seen today is largely linked to modern lifestyle changes.
Eye growth happens fastest between the ages of 6 and 17, which coincides with:
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Increased school demands
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Longer reading periods
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Heavy use of screens such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers, and televisions
When close-up visual tasks dominate daily life and outdoor time is reduced, the eye is more likely to grow excessively in length. This trend was first observed in Asia and is now becoming increasingly common in Europe.
At what age does short-sightedness usually begin?
Most young children are naturally slightly far-sighted. Short-sightedness typically begins between the ages of 6 and 10.
The earlier a child becomes short-sighted, the higher the risk of developing severe myopia later in life, often defined as -6.0 dioptres or more. Children with one or both parents who are short-sighted are also at a significantly higher risk.
How can short-sightedness affect school and sports performance?
Short-sighted children may struggle to:
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See the blackboard clearly
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Follow classroom instructions
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Participate confidently in sports
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Maintain concentration during lessons
These challenges can quietly affect both academic performance and self-confidence. For this reason, it is important to observe your child closely and arrange an eye examination if you notice signs such as squinting, headaches, or avoidance of distance-based activities.
What are the long-term risks of short-sightedness?
While glasses or contact lenses can correct vision, the real consequences of myopia often appear later in adulthood.
Short-sightedness is currently one of the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in Europe. Higher degrees of myopia significantly increase the risk of serious eye conditions, including:
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Retinal detachment
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Myopic macular degeneration (maculopathy)
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Glaucoma
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Cataracts
In fact, myopia can increase the likelihood of these conditions by a factor of three to forty, depending on severity.
Can short-sightedness in children be prevented or slowed down?
Yes. While myopia cannot always be prevented entirely, its progression can often be slowed significantly. This approach is known as myopia control, and it is based on several complementary strategies.
How does lifestyle affect short-sighted children?
Lifestyle plays a crucial role in myopia control. Parents can actively support their child’s eye health by encouraging:
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At least 1.5 hours per day outdoors in natural daylight
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Limiting screen time and near work to no more than two hours at a time
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Maintaining a reading distance of at least 35 centimetres
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Regular breaks during homework and screen use
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Adequate sleep and a balanced diet
Spending time outdoors has been shown to slow eye growth, making it one of the most effective and accessible preventive measures.
Can an eye specialist help with myopia control?
Yes. An eye specialist may prescribe low-dose atropine eye drops, typically at a concentration of 0.01%, which have been shown to slow the elongation of the eye in children.
These drops are highly diluted, well tolerated by most children, and used under professional supervision as part of a broader myopia control plan.
What role do optometrists and opticians play?
Certified optometrists and opticians can offer specialised myopia control lenses, including:
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Soft myopia control contact lenses, worn during the day, with multiple focus zones designed to slow eye growth
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Orthokeratology lenses (Ortho-K), rigid lenses worn overnight that reshape the cornea temporarily, allowing clear vision during the day without glasses
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Myopia control spectacle lenses, which resemble progressive lenses and include multiple zones to reduce progression
These options are selected based on the child’s age, lifestyle, and degree of myopia.
What should parents do if they suspect their child is short-sighted?
If you suspect your child may be short-sighted, the most important step is early action. Schedule a comprehensive eye examination with an optometrist or eye specialist.
Early detection allows:
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Better vision correction
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Reduced progression of myopia
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Lower risk of serious eye disease later in life
Final thoughts: protecting your child’s vision
A healthy lifestyle is the foundation of good eye health, but it is not always enough on its own. Short-sightedness in children is a growing concern, and delaying action can have long-term consequences.
If you are unsure about your child’s vision, the safest approach is always a professional eye examination. From there, a personalised plan may include lifestyle adjustments, eye drops, contact lenses, or glasses designed specifically for myopia control.
