By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Childhood nearsightedness, or myopia, is increasing rapidly worldwide, raising concerns about children’s developing eyes.
A comprehensive analysis of 276 studies involving more than 5.4 million children and adolescents found that myopia prevalence increased from approximately 24% in 1990 to nearly 36% in 2023. Researchers project it could affect almost 40%, or more than 740 million young people, by 2050.
Myopia occurs when a developing eye grows too long from front to back, causing distant objects to appear blurry. Genetics remains an important risk factor. However, inherited risk alone cannot explain the speed of the worldwide increase.
Experts increasingly point to environmental and behavioral changes.
The strongest evidence involves less outdoor time. Natural daylight appears to stimulate retinal processes that regulate eye growth. The National Academies concluded that increased outdoor time reduces children’s risk of developing myopia.
Extended near work—including reading, studying and using smartphones, tablets or computers—is also associated with myopia. However, experts say evidence directly blaming screens remains limited. Digital devices may contribute indirectly by encouraging closer, prolonged focusing while replacing outdoor activity.
Urban living, intensive education and COVID-19 disruptions may also play roles. During pandemic lockdowns, children spent more time learning indoors and using electronic devices, while outdoor activity declined.
The concern extends beyond stronger eyeglass prescriptions. Severe myopia raises the lifetime risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts and myopic macular degeneration.
The National Eye Institute has now launched a U.S. trial comparing specialized eyeglasses, atropine 0.05% eye drops and both treatments together. Parents should schedule comprehensive eye examinations and encourage regular outdoor activity, especially when children squint or struggle to see classroom boards.