Myopia in Children: Signs, Causes, Treatments & Prevention
Posted 8/7/26
Is Your Child Squinting at the Classroom Board? Catching Myopia early Can Make a Big Difference.
If your child can spot every LEGO piece on the floor but struggles to read the blackboard at school, it may be more than a passing phase. Myopia, commonly called “nearsightedness”, is becoming increasingly common in children, and experts around the world are paying close attention. In fact, eye care professionals are seeing more children develop myopia at younger ages than ever before. (1)(2)
The good news? Early detection and proactive care can help protect your child’s vision today while reducing the risk of more serious eye problems in the future. At Hope Vision, we’re committed to helping families understand myopia and providing personalized care that keeps young eyes healthy for years to come.
WHAT IS MYOPIA?
Myopia is a vision condition that makes distant objects appear blurry while nearby objects remain clear. It develops when the eye grows too long from front to back or when the cornea curves too steeply, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. (1)(3)
The similar but opposite condition is hyperopia, or "farsightedness". People with hyperopia generally see distant objects more clearly than nearby objects because light focuses behind the retina instead of directly on it. While mild farsightedness is common in young children and often improves as their eyes develop, more significant hyperopia may require treatment to prevent eyestrain and support healthy visual development.
HOW COMMON IS MYOPIA?
Myopia is one of the most common vision conditions worldwide — and it’s becoming more common every year. Researchers estimate that approximately 42% of Americans are nearsighted, and globally, nearly half of the world’s population could be affected by 2050 if current trends continue. The increase is especially noticeable among school-age children, making regular comprehensive eye exams more important than ever.
WHAT CAUSES MYOPIA?
Researchers believe myopia develops because of a combination of genetics and environmental factors. A child may be at greater risk of developing myopia if they:
- Have one or both parents who are nearsighted.
- Are between the ages of 6 and 14, when myopia most commonly develops.
- Spend long periods reading, studying, or using digital devices without taking regular breaks.
- Spend less time outdoors in natural daylight.
- Develop myopia at a younger age, increasing the likelihood that it will progress as they grow. (1)(2)(3)
Although researchers continue to study why childhood myopia is increasing worldwide, many believe that a combination of increased screen time, more hours of close-up work, and less time spent outdoors has contributed to the trend. While family history plays an important role, today’s lifestyle is also believed to contribute to the growing number of children diagnosed with myopia. (1)(2)(3)
Of course, genetics can’t be changed, but healthy daily habits and regular comprehensive eye exams can help identify myopia early and manage its progression.
HOW MANY CHILDREN DEVELOP MYOPIA?
Myopia most often begins during elementary school years. According to pediatric eye health experts, approximately 9% of school-age children and nearly 30% of teenagers are affected by myopia, with rates continuing to climb. (2)
Because myopia often worsens as children grow, identifying it early gives eye doctors the greatest opportunity to slow its progression.
COMMON SIGNS OF MYOPIA
Children don’t always realize their vision is blurry because the change often happens gradually. Parents should watch for signs such as:
- Squinting to see distant objects.
- Sitting unusually close to the television or holding books and tablets close to their face.
- Frequent headaches or eye rubbing.
- Difficulty seeing the classroom board.
- A noticeable decline in school performance related to vision.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s a good time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.
SCHOOL VISION SCREENINGS VS. COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMS
School vision screenings are an important first step because they can identify children who may have vision problems — but they are not a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination. Most school screenings measure only distance vision and can miss conditions such as early myopia progression, focusing or eye coordination problems, and eye diseases that may not have obvious symptoms. A comprehensive eye exam at Hope Vision evaluates not only how clearly your child sees, but also how well the eyes work together, how they focus, and whether their eyes are developing normally.
ADVANCED RETINAL IMAGING FOR CHILDREN
A comprehensive eye exam at Hope Vision may include advanced retinal imaging to provide a more complete view of your child’s eye health. The Optomap® retinal imaging system uses ultra-wide field digital scanning technology to capture up to 82% of the retina (200 degrees) in less than a second. The quick, painless scan is non-invasive, requires no contact with the eye, and is designed to be comfortable for children. In many cases, it may also reduce the need for traditional dilation drops. (4)
This detailed view allows our doctors to examine areas of the retina that may not be visible during a standard eye exam and helps support early detection of potential eye health concerns.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MYOPIA GOES UNTREATED?
Uncorrected myopia can affect far more than classroom performance. Children may struggle in school, experience headaches and eye strain, or lose confidence in sports and other activities because they simply cannot see clearly.
More importantly, higher levels of myopia can increase the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic macular degeneration. About 10% of people with myopia develop a more severe form called pathologic or “high myopia,” which carries a greater risk of these complications. This is why modern myopia care focuses on more than simply correcting blurry vision — it also aims to slow progression and protect a child’s long-term eye health. (1)(3)
MYOPIA TREATMENT OPTIONS
Every child is different, so treatment depends on age, prescription, lifestyle, and risk factors. While traditional glasses and contact lenses can correct blurry distance vision, today’s myopia management options are designed not only to help children see clearly but also to slow the progression of myopia and support healthier eye development. Treatment options may include:
- Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to provide clear vision and meet a child’s everyday visual needs.
- Essilor Stellest™ eyeglasses, the first FDA-approved spectacle lenses designed to correct myopia while also slowing its progression in children. Available for children ages 6 to 12, clinical studies showed that children wearing Stellest lenses experienced significantly less myopia progression and reduced eye elongation compared with traditional single-vision lenses. To achieve the best results, these lenses are designed to be worn consistently throughout the day. They can also be prescribed for children with astigmatism up to 1.50 diopters. (5)
- Specialized myopia management contact lenses designed to help slow changes in the eye’s growth.
- Overnight orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses for appropriate candidates, which temporarily reshape the cornea to provide clear vision during the day.
- Low-dose atropine eye drops may help slow myopia progression in some children. Because atropine can temporarily increase light sensitivity by dilating the pupil, doctors may recommend pairing treatment with transition lenses or sunglasses to improve comfort during outdoor activities.
- Regular monitoring to track changes and adjust treatment as needed.
Your Hope Vision doctor will recommend the approach that’s best suited to your child’s individual needs and long-term eye health.
HEALTHY DAILY HABITS THAT MAY HELP SLOW MYOPIA
While myopia cannot always be prevented, healthy habits may help reduce the risk of developing or worsening it. Encourage your child to:
- Spend at least two hours outdoors each day when possible. (1)(2)
- Take regular breaks during reading and screen time by following the 20-20-20 Rule — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Limit unnecessary recreational screen time.
- Read in good lighting while maintaining a comfortable working distance.
- Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams and wear prescribed glasses or contact lenses consistently.
Small habits established during childhood can make a lasting difference in lifelong eye health.
GIVE YOUR CHILD A CLEAR VIEW OF THE FUTURE
Clear vision helps children learn, explore, and grow with confidence. If your child hasn’t had a comprehensive eye exam recently — or you’ve noticed signs of blurry distance vision — the experienced team at Hope Vision is here to help. Our doctors provide thorough pediatric eye exams and personalized myopia management designed to protect your child’s vision today while helping preserve healthy eyesight for the future. Schedule your child’s comprehensive eye exam today and let’s help them see every opportunity clearly.
References:
- Stanford Medicine. A Focus on Children with Myopia.
- UCLA Health. Is Nearsightedness in Kids Increasing?
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Myopia Control in Children.
- Optos. Pediatric Retinal Imaging.
- Essilor Luxottica. Essilor Stellest™ Myopia Management Lens.
© 2026 Hope Vision, PLLC. All rights reserved. The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
