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Short-sightedness, also known as myopia, is a condition that causes objects in the distance to appear blurred or fuzzy. Research estimates that short-sightedness affects around one in three people – and it’s becoming increasingly common, particularly in children.
The reasons why myopia cases are rising are still being studied. Though, experts are confident that it’s linked to lifestyle factors – including the fact that more children than ever are spending too much time indoors concentrating on near tasks.
While short-sightedness can be corrected with glasses or surgery, it’s important to do what you can to spot it early and take steps to slow its progression. If left untreated, myopia can affect long-term eye health and increase the risk of conditions like glaucoma and cataracts in later life.
We’ve partnered with Boots Opticians to take a closer look at what myopia is – including its symptoms, causes, and treatment. We’ll also explore why short-sightedness is becoming more common and signs to look out for in your children and grandchildren.
What is short-sightedness?
Short-sightedness, also known as myopia, is a common eye condition that makes it difficult to see objects that are far away. For example, things on a TV screen might seem blurry or fuzzy compared to when you’re reading a book.
This can cause people to squint and experience eye strain, headaches, and, in some cases, fatigue.
Short-sightedness usually starts during childhood (anywhere between the ages of six and 13). But, it can develop in adults too.
What causes short-sightedness and are there any risk factors?
According to Boots Opticians, there are a few potential causes of short-sightedness.
The condition usually develops when the eye grows slightly too long, which causes the cornea (the transparent layer at the front of the eye) and the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye) to become too far apart. This means light is brought into focus before it’s able to reach the retina. This prevents the eyes from being able to create a clear image of far away objects.
Short-sightedness can also be caused by the eye lens being too round or the cornea being too curved, meaning light falls in front of the retina.
While anyone can develop myopia, there are several potential risk factors that can increase a person’s chance of developing it. These include…
- Age – myopia usually starts in children between the ages of six and 13 and may continually worsen until early 20s, which is usually when the eyes have stopped growing.
- Genetics – short-sightedness can sometimes be inherited. According to Boots Opticians, children have a 31% chance of developing myopia if one parent is myopic, and 46% chance if both parents are.
- Spending less time outside – according to research, myopia is less likely to develop in children who spend a lot of time outdoors.
- Screen time – According to the results of this study, school-age children who spend seven hours or more using screens a week may triple their risk of becoming short-sighted.
It’s lifestyle factors, such as time spent inside and in front of screens, that experts believe may be linked to the rising cases of myopia among children. We’ll explore this in greater depth below.
Cases on short-sightedness among children are on the rise
Research shows that cases of myopia in children and young people are on the rise, with some countries reporting rates of over 80% or even 90%. According to Boots Opticians, in the UK, a sixth of 12-to-13 year olds, and over a quarter of 15-to-16 year olds have myopia.
Plus, while the typical age for a child to develop myopia has been between eight and 12 years old, statistics show that many children are becoming short-sighted at a younger age.
These findings are significant, as research shows that the earlier myopia develops, the more likely a person is to suffer vision loss caused by conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment later in life.
While genetics can contribute towards the development of myopia, experts believe they only play a small role. Instead, data from 145 studies involving 2.1 million people revealed that increases in myopia cases are mainly driven by lifestyle factors. This includes spending less time outdoors and more time concentrating on near tasks such as using electronic devices.
Signs of short-sightedness to look out for in children
If you suspect that your child or grandchild may have myopia, Boots Opticians explains that there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. These include…
- Struggling to read words from a distance, such as a school whiteboard
- Sitting closer to the computer screen or TV than usual, or holding a mobile phone or tablet close to their face
- Rubbing or squinting their eyes a lot
- Complaining of regular headaches
If your child or grandchild doesn’t talk to you about any symptoms (for example, like having eye strain or headaches), there are some other signs you can look out for too. These include clumsiness, struggling to concentrate, and falling behind on schoolwork.
At first glance, short-sightedness might not seem like much of an issue – particularly as it can often be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. However, experts warn that myopia isn’t just an inconvenience to everyday life, but one of the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness around the world.
According to the NHS, young children with untreated short-sightedness are more likely to develop a squint or a lazy eye. And adults with severe short-sightedness have a higher risk of conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and detached retina.
Plus, in children, where the condition can sometimes take longer to spot, myopia can impact their ability to thrive at school and enjoy everyday life, while also increasing their risk of future eye problems. With this in mind, it’s important to try to spot myopia early, seek treatment, and do what you can to slow its progression.
How is short-sightedness treated in children and can you slow down its progression?
While there’s no cure for short-sightedness, treatments are available that help to slow down its progression whilst still allowing the child to see clearly.
An optician will be able to advise you on the best option for your child or grandchild.
Slowing down the progression of short-sightedness
If your child or grandchild is diagnosed with myopia, there are several things you can do to help slow its progression.
MiSight daily disposable contact lenses are designed specifically for children and are proven to help slow the progression of myopia. Using the latest technology, MiSight contact lenses provide children with clear vision and help to reduce the body signal responsible for eyes growing too long.
Research has found that wearing MiSight 1 day contact lenses helps to reduce myopia progression in children by an average of 59%, which also results in a lower prescription. Children have reported feeling better about their appearance and more competent when taking part in sport and other physical activities since wearing MiSight 1 day.
Other things that can help to slow the progression of myopia include…
- Spending more time outdoors. Studies show that increasing outdoor activity can slow the onset of myopia by 11-34%.
- Limiting screen time. Of course, it’s unrealistic to ask children not to use electronic devices at all. But taking steps to reduce their use can be helpful.
- Taking regular breaks from activities that require focusing on nearby objects, such as reading.
- Having regular eye tests at an opticians. Boots Opticians advise that this is particularly important when children are four to five years old, before they start school. There are various problems that an eye test can detect immediately, and if caught early, it’s easier for them to be corrected. You can find more advice on children’s eye tests on the Boots Opticians website.
For further tips, have a read of this guide to caring for your children’s eyes from Boots Opticians.
Final thoughts…
Research shows that short-sightedness is becoming increasingly common among children and young people. Beyond its impact on daily life, if left untreated, myopia can increase the risk of long-term vision loss and conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and detached retina.
Luckily, there are various tell-tale signs to look out for and steps you can take to manage the progression of myopia.
If you suspect that your child or grandchild may have myopia, it’s important to book them in for an eye test.
For more information on myopia, head over to the Boots Opticians website. Alternatively, check out the eye health and vision section of our website. Here, you’ll find information on everything from important nutrients for eye health to age-related eye conditions you should know about.
Do you have any other tips for coping with short-sightedness that you’d like to share? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
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