Brussels — There’s a moment that sticks with you when you watch a child squint to see the world clearly for the first time. It’s subtle—just the soft narrowing of the eyes, a slight tilt of the head—but it carries the weight of something much larger. It’s the weight of a world growing blurrier by the day, as the epidemic of myopia quietly creeps forward, threatening not just vision but futures.
Today, one out of three children and adolescents globally struggles to see distant objects clearly, and the numbers are climbing at an alarming rate. By 2050, over 740 million young people will be affected, according to a comprehensive study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. The surge in childhood myopia has become one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. But how did we get here? And more importantly, what can we do to slow this vision crisis?
The Alarming Rise of Myopia in Children
Global Myopia Trends
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment myopia began to spiral into a global crisis. But between 1990 and 2023, myopia prevalence tripled. In 1990, only about 24% of children and adolescents were myopic. By 2023, that number had shot up to 36%, and experts predict it will hit 40% by 2050. That’s nearly half of the world’s youth population struggling to see beyond an arm’s length. It’s a statistic that feels almost incomprehensible, yet it is a reality we can’t afford to ignore.
As we delve deeper into the data, a picture begins to emerge. The rise in myopia is not evenly distributed. In countries like Japan, the myopia rate in children is particularly high, while countries like Paraguay have seen much lower rates. The disparity in prevalence reveals that this condition is influenced by a host of environmental and socioeconomic factors. Children in urban areas, for instance, are far more likely to develop myopia than those in rural settings—a trend that holds true across many countries.
This isn’t just a matter of genetics. The way we live, work, and play is shaping the future of our children’s vision.
Why Myopia Is Spreading So Quickly
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
When you see a child glued to a screen, you may wonder how much those glowing rectangles are contributing to the problem. But it’s not just screen time. In fact, experts like Yajun Chen, lead researcher of the study, emphasize that children’s vision is particularly vulnerable to environmental factors during early development, especially in pre-school years when the eyes are most malleable.
East Asia, where education systems are highly competitive and kids often spend long hours studying indoors, is ground zero for the myopia crisis. It’s no surprise that in countries like China, where children are enrolled in formal education at a very young age, the prevalence of myopia has skyrocketed. On the flip side, countries with later starts to formal education, like parts of Africa, see lower rates of myopia.
And then there’s the pandemic. We’d all love to forget about 2020, but COVID-19 has left its mark in unexpected ways. During the lockdowns, children were stuck inside for months, staring at screens for school, for play, for everything. The data now suggests that the pandemic may have been a critical turning point, accelerating myopia in children who were already predisposed.
In short: Our modern lifestyle—less time outdoors, more time indoors and on screens—has created a perfect storm for myopia to thrive. But knowing the cause isn’t enough. We need solutions.
How to Prevent Myopia in Children: Actionable Steps for Parents and Educators
1. Encourage Outdoor Playtime
It might seem too simple, but one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of myopia is ensuring kids spend at least two hours outdoors every day. Natural light is critical for healthy eye development, and numerous studies show that time outside can significantly slow the progression of myopia. Think of it like a natural shield for your child’s vision—one that doesn’t cost a dime.
2. Limit Screen Time and Close Work
Children’s eyes are not built for endless hours of close-up work. Whether it’s reading, writing, or playing games on a tablet, prolonged focus on near objects strains the eyes and contributes to the onset of myopia. Setting screen time limits and encouraging regular breaks from close work can help reduce eye strain. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, have your child look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
3. Regular Eye Checkups
Catching myopia early is crucial for managing its progression. Ensure your child has regular vision screenings, especially if they start showing signs of nearsightedness. Early intervention, such as glasses or contact lenses specifically designed to slow the progression of myopia, can make a world of difference.
4. Incorporate Myopia Awareness into Education
Schools play a key role in protecting children’s vision. Educational initiatives can teach students about eye health, the importance of breaks, and outdoor activities. Teachers can help by incorporating outdoor lessons or encouraging short breaks during long study periods to reduce eye strain.
The Long-Term Impact: Why We Need to Act Now
It’s easy to dismiss myopia as just another minor inconvenience—after all, glasses or contact lenses can correct vision, right? But myopia isn’t just about needing glasses. High levels of myopia increase the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including glaucoma, cataracts, and even retinal detachment. In fact, high myopia is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
What’s more alarming is that this epidemic is still in its early stages. If current trends continue, not only will 740 million children and adolescents be nearsighted by 2050, but the long-term burden on healthcare systems will be enormous. Vision correction surgeries, advanced treatments, and care for complications from high myopia will place immense pressure on already strained healthcare systems worldwide.
We are at a crossroads. We know what is causing the rise in myopia, and we have the tools to slow its progress. The question is: Will we act?
Conclusion: Call to Protect the Next Generation’s Vision
As parents, educators, and leaders, the responsibility to combat this growing crisis rests on our shoulders. Myopia might seem like a small issue, a personal inconvenience for each child who squints at the board. But when we zoom out, we see the bigger picture—millions of children, millions of futures, all at risk of being blurred by a condition we can prevent.
It’s time to take action. Encourage outdoor play, limit screen time, and educate ourselves and our children on the importance of eye health. Our children’s vision depends on it. Because clear sight isn’t just about seeing the world as it is—it’s about seeing the future as it could be.
