Your child has been told they're short-sighted. They might already wear glasses, or perhaps you've noticed them squinting at the television or struggling to see the board at school.
But what does being short-sighted actually mean? And why might their glasses prescription keep getting stronger?
The word myopia comes up increasingly often in conversations about children's eyesight, but it's not always explained in a way that's easy to understand.
So, let's start with the basics.
What is myopia in children?
Myopia is simply the medical term for short-sightedness.
It means your child can usually see things up close more clearly than objects further away.
For example, they might be able to read a book comfortably but struggle to see the whiteboard at school, recognise someone across the playground or read a sign in the distance.
Myopia happens when light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This is usually because the eye has grown slightly too long, although the shape of the cornea or lens can also play a role.
The result? Distant objects appear blurry.
Myopia often develops during childhood and can become stronger as children grow.
How do I know if my child is short-sighted?
Children don't always realise their vision isn't as clear as it should be.
After all, if they've gradually become used to seeing the world a certain way, they might assume everyone sees like that.
Some signs to look out for include:
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Squinting to see distant objects
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Sitting unusually close to the television
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Struggling to see the board at school
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Complaining that things in the distance look blurry
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Moving closer to objects to see them clearly
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Frequent headaches or eye strain
Of course, these behaviours don't automatically mean your child has myopia. An eye examination can help establish what's happening.
What causes myopia in children?
There isn't one single cause of childhood myopia.
Both genetics and environmental factors play a role.
If one or both parents are short-sighted, their child is more likely to develop myopia too. But family history isn't the whole story.
Research also suggests that spending less time outdoors and doing more prolonged close-up activities may be associated with an increased risk of developing myopia.
This means that while some children are more likely to become short-sighted because of their genetics, everyday habits and environments can also influence their visual development.
Can screen time cause myopia?
It's a question many parents ask, particularly when children spend so much time using tablets, phones and computers.
The answer isn't quite as simple as saying screens cause short-sightedness.
Research has found associations between screen time, prolonged near work and myopia, but it's difficult to separate the effects of screen use from other factors, including reduced time outdoors.
Spending long periods concentrating on nearby objects may contribute to myopia risk, especially when combined with other factors.
Encouraging regular breaks from close-up activities and making time for outdoor play are sensible ways to support healthy visual habits.
Why is outdoor time important for children's eyesight?
Here's something that might surprise you: spending time outdoors can help reduce a child's risk of developing myopia.
Research suggests that greater exposure to outdoor light plays an important role in healthy eye development.
Many eye health professionals encourage children to spend around two hours outdoors each day where practical, alongside appropriate sun protection.
Outdoor time is particularly well supported as a way of reducing the risk of myopia developing. Its effect on slowing progression once a child is already short-sighted is less certain.
It's a simple reminder that looking after children's eyesight isn't only about what happens during an eye test.
Why does my child's glasses prescription keep getting stronger?
If your child already wears glasses, you might have noticed their prescription changing from one appointment to the next.
That's because myopia often progresses during childhood.
As the eye grows longer, distant vision can become increasingly blurry, meaning stronger lenses may be needed to correct it.
Not every child's prescription changes at the same rate. Some experience relatively slow progression, while others become more short-sighted over a shorter period.
This is one reason regular eye examinations are important for children with myopia.
They allow your optometrist to monitor changes and discuss whether additional support might be appropriate.
Can children grow out of myopia?
Children don't usually grow out of myopia.
Unlike some childhood vision problems, short-sightedness generally doesn't disappear as a child gets older.
Myopia often progresses throughout childhood and adolescence before stabilising in early adulthood, although the timing varies.
That's why understanding how your child's prescription is changing can be so valuable.
Rather than simply waiting for their eyesight to settle, there may be ways to help manage its progression.
Do glasses cure myopia?
Ordinary prescription glasses help children see clearly, but they don't cure myopia.
They correct the way light focuses in the eye, making distant objects clearer while they're being worn.
However, standard single-vision glasses generally don't prevent the eye from continuing to grow longer.
And this is where an important distinction comes in:
Correcting myopia and managing myopia progression aren't quite the same thing.
Correcting myopia helps your child see clearly today.
Myopia management aims to slow how quickly their short-sightedness increases over time.
What is myopia management?
Myopia management, sometimes called myopia control, refers to approaches designed to slow the progression of short-sightedness in children.
Why does this matter?
As myopia becomes stronger, the risk of certain eye health problems later in life can increase, including retinal detachment and myopic macular degeneration.
Slowing progression may help reduce the likelihood of a child developing higher levels of myopia, although it cannot eliminate future eye health risks.
The aim isn't to reverse existing short-sightedness. It's to help manage how much it progresses as a child grows.
Want to learn more? Explore our Myopia Management for Children page to discover how we can help manage childhood short-sightedness.
Can myopia progression be slowed?
Yes. Evidence shows that certain myopia management approaches can slow progression in suitable children.
Depending on your child's age, prescription, eye health and individual circumstances, an optometrist may discuss options such as:
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Specialist spectacle lenses: Glasses designed not only to correct short-sightedness but also to help slow its progression.
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Specialist contact lenses: Certain contact lens designs can help manage myopia progression in suitable children.
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Other clinical treatments: In some circumstances, options such as low-dose atropine eye drops may be considered under appropriate professional supervision.
Not every approach is suitable for every child, and results vary.
At Eye Emporium, we can discuss myopia management options following an eye examination and help you understand whether your child might benefit from further assessment.
You can also explore our myopia management services to learn more about the options available.
When should I book my child an eye test?
Children don't need to be able to read letters before having their eyes examined. Optometrists can use age-appropriate techniques to assess younger children's vision too.
In the UK, children are generally advised to have routine eye examinations at least every two years, although more frequent appointments may be recommended depending on their age, prescription and eye health.
If your child is already short-sighted, their optometrist may recommend closer monitoring.
And if you've noticed them squinting, struggling to see at school or complaining about blurry vision, there's no need to wait until their next routine appointment.
One more thing to tick off this half-term: their eye test
October half-term is a good opportunity to check in on your child's eyesight, especially if it's been a while since their last examination.
Whether they've recently started squinting at distant objects, their glasses prescription keeps changing or you simply want reassurance about their eye health, our team is here to help.
At Eye Emporium, a children's eye examination is the first step. We can assess their vision, check their prescription and, where appropriate, discuss whether myopia management could be beneficial.
Understanding your child's eyesight today can help you make informed decisions about looking after it as they grow.
