Childhood myopia: why cases are on the rise and what families can do

Childhood myopia has become one of the major issues in modern ophthalmology, and not by chance: its prevalence has been rising significantly in recent decades. More and more children are becoming short-sighted, and at an increasingly younger age. The good news is that we now have a better understanding of why this happens and, above all, we have tools to slow its progression.

What is myopia and why does it matter if it starts early?

A short-sighted child sees distant objects as blurry — the blackboard, the television, faces at a distance. But childhood myopia is not just about ‘poor distance vision’: the underlying concern is that the earlier it appears, the more it tends to progress during the years of growth. And high myopia in adulthood is associated with a greater risk of certain eye problems in the future.
That is why the current aim is not just to “prescribe glasses so they can see properly”, but to control the progression so that the final degree of myopia is as low as possible.

Why there are more and more cases

There is no single cause, but rather a combination of factors. Genetics play a part — it is more likely if the father or mother is short-sighted — but lifestyle habits are increasingly recognised as a factor: many hours of close-up work (screens, reading, studying) and little time spent outdoors. Natural light and distance vision appear to have a protective effect that today’s lifestyle has diminished.

Warning signs for families

• The child sits very close to screens, books or exercise books.
• They sit very close to the television or squint to see things from a distance.
• They say they cannot see the blackboard clearly in class.
• They complain of headaches or eye strain.
• There is a family history of short-sightedness.

What can be done today: managing myopia

In addition to standard optical correction, there are now specific strategies to slow the progression of childhood myopia: specially designed glasses and contact lenses, specific treatments and recommendations on habits — more time outdoors, breaks from close-up work, good lighting. The suitability of each option depends on the child’s age, the degree of myopia and its rate of progression, so it should always be assessed by a specialist.

Eye examinations: the best tool

Children do not always realise that they ‘cannot see properly’: to them, the way they see is normal. That is why regular eye examinations are essential — they enable myopia to be detected early and, if it is already present, allow its progression to be monitored so that action can be taken in good time.

At the INOF Institute

At the INOF Institute, we carry out paediatric eye examinations and myopia management programmes tailored to each child. If you have noticed any of the above signs, or simply want to make sure your child is seeing properly, we can help.

Book an appointment for your child at www.inof.es.