Nowadays, nearsightedness is increasing rapidly among children. Childhood nearsighted vision is rising rapidly. A global review found that myopia prevalence in children and teens rose from about 24% to 36% between 1990 and 2023. The main cause of this problem is increased screen time and reduced outdoor activity.
As a parent, you should have a comprehensive understanding of nearsightedness. It is important because myopia affects school performance and daily comfort. You should know the early signs, common causes, and treatments that help children see clearly.
In this article, we will examine the signs, causes, and effects of myopia. You will also learn how to diagnose it and the safe treatments. Let’s read!
Understanding nearsighted vision in kids
What does nearsightedness (myopia) mean for children?
Nearsightedness in kids means that only nearby things are clearly visible to them. When children look at distant objects, they appear blurry. This occurs because children’s eyes focus light incorrectly. It mainly focuses on the retina. Kids with this problem may find it hard to see the class board. Also, they may not recognize faces from a distance or mayn’t read distant signs. As a result, children may sit too close to screens or report eye strain.
This problem typically begins in school. It can slowly increase as the child grows. When you provide them with regular check-ups, they can overcome this early. With the right treatment, your kids can see clearly and avoid learning difficulties.
Common early signs parents may notice
Squinting often
A child may squint their eyes to see distant objects more clearly. Squinting temporarily sharpens blurry vision. Parents may notice this while the child watches TV, looks at the board in class, or tries to see something in the distance. It is one of the most common early signs that their distance vision is unclear.
Sitting too close to screens
Children with nearsightedness often sit very close to the TV, tablet, or phone because distant viewing feels blurry. Sitting close helps them see things sharply. Parents may notice this habit increasing over time, especially during homework or screen time. This behavior is a strong signal that the child may be struggling to see clearly from far away.
Why is nearsightedness becoming more common in young children?
Nearsightedness is becoming more common among young children, largely due to increased screen time and reduced time outdoors. Long hours of close-up work, such as reading or using phones, strain the eyes. Insufficient natural light also affects healthy eye development. Together, these habits increase the chances of myopia developing earlier.
Use a parental control app to help your child.
What causes children to become nearsighted?
Genetic factors
It is common to develop nearsightedness if it runs in the family. Suppose one or both parents are nearsighted. The likelihood of developing this vision in their children increases. These genes affect how the eye develops. It increases the likelihood that the eye will appear longer than usual. If the eye is longer than normal, distant objects appear blurry.
Environmental influences
Children may become nearsighted due to environmental factors. When kids invest most of their time on screens or doing close-up tasks, they attract problems like myopia. Their eyes remain focused on near objects for too long. This causes eye strain. With limited outdoor time, natural light does not reach your children’s eyes. Their eyes can’t grow naturally.
How does nearsightedness affect a child’s daily life?
Impact on academic score and social relations
Your children’s academic performance and social relationships may be affected if they have nearsightedness. They may not be able to see the class board clearly. Also, your kids may not read distant notes clearly. This leads to errors in their notes and slows down their learning. In many social situations, kids may not recognize a face from a distance. Also, they may not join games that require clear distance vision. As a result, they feel left out or less confident around their peers.
The emotional and psychological effects
If a kid has myopia, it not only affects their academic performance. It may also affect their emotional and psychological state. They may feel different or embarrassed when they cannot see things clearly. Your kid may be worried about being judged. If the problem is not solved, it may lead to low self-esteem and less interest in school activities. You can save them by giving them early support.
Diagnosis: How can parents determine whether their child may be nearsighted?
Watch for squinting: Observe whether your child is squinting. They may narrow their eyes while looking at distant objects.
Check their screen distance: If you want to know if your child is nearsighted, you should check their screen distance. They may sit very close to the TV or hold devices too close.
Test distance reading: Ask them to read from across the room. This may indicate whether they are nearsighted.
Observe complaints: Document them. Your child may mention headaches, eye strain, or blurry distance vision.
When to seek professional evaluation?
Once you notice these signs, it is time to seek a professional evaluation. The signs may also include difficulty seeing the board or a decline in school performance. Moreover, when your child reports headaches or tired eyes, consult a specialist.
Safe and effective treatment options for nearsighted children
List of treatment options
- Glasses: For nearsighted kids, wearing glasses is the safest and easiest option. Glasses let them see things more clearly. Also, they are easy to use.
- Contact lenses: The next option is using contact lenses. If you have older children, this is good for them. Older kids can clean and handle lenses properly. They can see clearly without even wearing glasses.
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): The third treatment is orthokeratology. This includes special night lenses. They are worn during sleep to gently reshape the cornea. They help the child see clearly during the day.
The role of vision therapy and lifestyle adjustments in managing nearsightedness
Vision therapy and lifestyle adjustments play an important role in managing nearsightedness. If children receive vision therapy, they may experience improved focus. It is beneficial if they are highly skilled in close-up work. When they change their lifestyle, they can promote healthy eye growth. The lifestyle changes could include taking screen breaks or limiting long screen sessions.
Daily habits to help slow down Nearsightedness
Spend more time outdoors: One of the best ways to slow the progression of nearsightedness in your kids is to encourage them to spend more time outdoors. You should motivate them to get involved in outdoor games. This will help them get bright daylight. As a result, their eyes can develop normally.
Limit screen time: The second tip is to set a limit on your kids’ screen time. You should not allow them to use their phones or tablets at all times. When you reduce their screen time, their stress level also decreases. The best way to reduce screen time is to use parental control tools like FlashGet Kids.
Take near-work breaks (20-20-20 rule): The third and most effective tip is to take near-work breaks. After every 20 minutes of close work, guide your kids to take a pause and look at something 20 feet away. This may give their eye a rest.
Maintain good reading distance and lighting: When your child is holding books or devices, make sure they are at a comfortable distance. Also, ensure they use the devices in a well-lit room. If the light is dim, the stress on their eyes may increase.
Get regular eye check-ups: You should take your child for regular eye check-ups. Regular eye exams help detect early changes in vision. You can avoid future risks.
Authoritative studies that support the effectiveness of these habits
If you follow the above tips, you can help prevent myopia in children. To justify this, a study was conducted. A randomized clinical trial showed that adding 40 minutes of outdoor activity at school can reduce myopia in children. This is impactful for children aged 3 and older.
FAQs about nearsightedness
A nearsighted person can correct their vision by wearing glasses or contact lenses. Wearing lenses can be beneficial because they help the eye focus correctly on the retina. It makes distant objects clear. In some cases, eye doctors may also suggest treatments to cure myopia.
Nearsighted people see nearby things clearly. But they can’t see objects clearly that are at a distance. On the other hand, farsighted people see distant things clearly. However, close objects appear blurry to them. There’s one similarity. Both conditions happen because light doesn’t focus correctly.
Yes. Your eyes can change from farsighted to nearsighted. Some children experience farsightedness in childhood. However, as they grow, they may experience a shift toward nearsightedness. During their school-age years, this change is very common. Kids should get regular eye exams to avoid this change.
Conclusion
Nearsighted vision in kids is very common now. However, if you are aware early and maintain simple daily habits, it can help prevent myopia. All you need is getting regular eye check-ups and encouraging healthy routines. Good daily habits can include outdoor play and limited screen time. By doing so, parents can help protect their child’s vision.
When your kids get the right treatment, they can see clearly and stay confident in school. Remember that early action can help keep your children’s eyes healthy as they grow.
