Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Myopia is a common vision condition where nearby objects appear clear, but distant objects look blurry. It happens when the eye grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. Myopia often begins in childhood and can worsen over time, especially during the school years.
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​​How Myopia Can Be Corrected or Managed:
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Eyeglasses: The simplest and most common way to correct myopia. Prescription lenses help focus light properly onto the retina, restoring clear distance vision.
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Contact Lenses: Soft or rigid contact lenses offer clear vision without the need for glasses. Some specialty lenses, like orthokeratology (ortho-k), are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea and temporarily correct vision during the day.
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Myopia Management: In children and teens, there are specific treatments to slow the progression of myopia, which can reduce the risk of serious eye diseases later in life. Options include low-dose atropine eye drops, ortho-k lenses, and specially designed soft multifocal contact lenses.
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Refractive Surgery: Procedures like LASIK or PRK can reshape the cornea to correct astigmatism in eligible patients.
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How Common is Myopia?
Myopia is becoming increasingly common in children worldwide. Experts estimate that by 2050, nearly half of the global population will be nearsighted—a dramatic rise compared to previous generations. Factors such as increased screen time, less outdoor activity, and genetics are believed to play a role.
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If you are nearsighted, your child has a 1 in 3 chance of developing myopia.
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If both parents are nearsighted, the risk increases to about 1 in 2.
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Even children with no family history can develop it, especially if they spend long hours on near work (like reading or tablets) and little time outdoors.
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