By 2040, more than 50% of US children and adults will have Myopia. Why should you care?
Myopia, often called near-sightedness, is a visual condition that results in blurry long-distance vision. A person with myopia can see clearly up close, such as when reading a book or looking at a phone screen, while distant objects like street signs, landscapes, or buildings may appear blurry or hard to read or see. With prevalence rates rising not just in the US but worldwide, it has emerged as a major health issue of our time.
When is myopia diagnosed?
Myopia is typically diagnosed during regular eye exams or when parents notice their children squinting to see objects at a distance (e.g., classroom boards, friends passing by at a distance, street signs, etc.). Once diagnosed in childhood, myopia progression will typically occur most acutely between the ages of 8-12 years old and then progress at a slower rate into a child’s young adult years. Progression rates vary based on genetics and visual habits, but the typical range is between -0.25 and -1 diopter per year. Progression rates must be monitored carefully for children diagnosed at a younger age (3-6 years).
Young adults getting diagnosed with myopia.
Our lifestyles have become increasingly urbanized. We spend more time on indoor activities and use digital devices for a broad range of activities over the course of a day. Thirty years ago, it was uncommon for our team at EyeCare Associates to see young adults diagnosed with myopia, but today, we are seeing it more and more frequently.
Unfortunately, these young adults navigating college, graduate school, and new careers experience myopia progression throughout their 20s and 30s. Eye doctors and specialists care very much about progression rates in both children and young adults because as myopia worsens, individuals are at greater risk for sight-threatening diseases later in life, such as retinal detachments, myopia macular degeneration, and cataracts. If we don’t act now to find solutions, we know we are looking at long-term impacts to the visual health of individuals now and for generations to come.
Why stronger prescriptions for glasses or contacts is not a solution.
While standard glasses or contacts address current visual deficiencies and help children and young adults navigate their environment more effectively, they don’t address the known risk factors associated with a myopia diagnosis and its progression. As parents and eye doctors, we play an important role in helping to make children aware of the importance of building healthy visual habits from an early age.
What Are The Known Risk Factors?
- Too much close work (e.g., drawing, writing, reading, screen time, etc.)
- Not enough time outdoors (i.e., less than 120 minutes per day)
- Genetics – the presence of one or both parents with diagnosed myopia
Many parents ask our team what they can do to help their child and themselves with myopia progression. Below are some helpful tips we share with our patient community, particularly during summertime, since it represents an opportunity to spend quality time outdoors.
What Can I Do To Help Me or My Child?
- Take active breaks: Reading, learning from screens, homework, and computer work are important for children, teens, and adults, but combine them with regular, active breaks every 30 minutes. Stretching, getting a glass of water, saying hello to family members, or stepping outside to take in some fresh air are all great ways to take a quick 2-3 minute break and give your eyes a rest from close work.
- Good lighting and posture: Ensure good lighting (ideally natural sunlight or indoor lighting) and proper posture wherever children or adults are regularly engaged in near-work activities (=> distance between thumb and elbow). Avoid dim lighting conditions or close distances for near work, as they place strain on our eyes.
- Limit screen time: On average, children between the ages of 8 and 12 spend 4-6 hours per day on screens, so reducing screen time by 50%, or two hours per day, is a solid goal to strive for.
- Get outdoors: Play sports and participate in summer activities (e.g., riding a bike, flying kites, playing catch, enjoying the park, etc.) or enjoy a relaxing walk. The recommended amount is 120 minutes per day to support myopia prevention, but it does not need to be continuous and can be broken up into smaller, 30-minute increments if it is easier to achieve. If that feels challenging, we recommend setting up smaller goals and gradually increasing time outdoors.
What do I do if I see my child struggling with their vision?
If you notice your child or young adult squinting or struggling to see objects far or close, we encourage you to have your child seen by an eye doctor for an examination. Vision problems can affect a child’s academic progress, general behavior, and well-being, so we encourage parents to undertake regular eye exams to monitor eye health and visual acuity.
Should you or your child receive a myopia diagnosis, you may want to explore available myopia control programs through your eye doctor or reach out to EyeCare Associates, which offers a full range of treatment options for kids.
We are committed to deepening our understanding of myopia and contributing to advancements in myopia management for children and adults. As part of these efforts, we conduct myopia research in our practice at no cost to qualified participants. If you’re interested in participating in our study and contributing to the future of myopia management, please reach out to us.
EyeCare Associates
At EyeCare Associates, our optometrists strive to deliver a great customer experience from the moment you enter our door. Our services, which include myopia control for kids, vision therapy, regular and specialty contact lenses, ocular disease management, and a complete optical, are offered to help each patient enjoy better vision and a brighter future.
References:(1) Holden, et al, 2016. Journal of Ophthalmology (2) Rose et al., 2008, Journal of Ophthalmology (3) Pan, et al, 2011, Journal of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (4) Mutti, et al., 2007, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences (5) Data Report, Digital Report, 2024 (6) A 21st Century Public Health Issue,, 2019, International Myopia Institute White Paper.
Dr. Randy Schulman, M.S., O.D., F.C.O.V.D., F.C.O.S graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1987. She graduated with her Doctorate in Optometry and Masters in Vision Science degrees from the State University of New York, College of Optometry in 1991. Dr. Schulman lectures extensively and is a published author on behavioral optometry and is currently an Adjunct Clinical Professor. and Residency Supervisor for the College. She is the owner of EyeCare Associates and is fortunate to have served the Fairfield County community for 30+ years through offices in Southport, Norwalk, Trumbull, and Stamford. She is committed to bringing the latest in developmental optometry, eye disease, and ocular health management to eye care so each patient receives the care they deserve for their best vision possible.
