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A kid playing outside

Not so fast, myopia

Slow down nearsightedness in kids with myopia management

So much of parenthood is about preparing your little ones for a bright future. Whether they’ve got their sights on being explorers, athletes, artists, scientists, musicians (you name it), make sure they’re ready to take it all in clearly. 

Myopia (nearsightedness) is expected to affect more than half the world’s population by 2050.1

As part of our mission to change lives through better sight, we want to spread the word to parents about the effects of myopia in childhood, the importance of eye exams, and how early detection and treatment can protect their vision for their future.

So, what is it?  

You’re more likely to know myopia as nearsightedness or shortsightedness – it’s a very common cause of blurry vision that makes it difficult to see clearly in the distance.  

It happens when the eyeball essentially grows too long, which means that light focuses just in front of the retina, rather than onto it, which is where it needs to go for clear vision.  

Myopia progresses the most during childhood while the eyes are still growing. 

Comparison of normal vision and myopic vision looking at a school gym.
Comparison of normal vision and myopic vision in a science classroom.

Symptoms to look out for in children

  • Frequently rubbing their eyes

  • Straining their eyes or tilting their head to see better

  • Complaining of headaches

  • Sitting closer to the TV or holding books closer to their faces

Myopia can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses to help properly focus light onto the retina for clear vision at all distances. But higher levels of myopia can increase the risk of certain eye condition later on in life, like retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.

Learn more

What can be done to help?

Although myopia cannot be reversed or cured, there are some amazing things out there that can help to slow down its progression in its early stages.

These can help kids to depend less on glasses or contact lenses and reduce their risk of developing certain eye conditions related to myopia later in life.

It’s all about early intervention.

Importance of regular eye exams  

Did you know that 45% of school‑aged children in Canada haven’t had an annual eye exam?2 The Canadian Association of Optometry recommends that school‑aged children receive a comprehensive eye exam every year until they turn 19.3

What’s more, if your child is eligible for provincial healthcare coverage, they can get a comprehensive eye exam with no cost to you.

Eye exam with an optometrist
Teaching kids to wear contact lenses

Specialty lenses  

If your optometrist recommends a myopia management plan for your child, this could include using specialty products designed to help children in the early stages of myopia.

These include glasses and daily disposable contact lenses that contain technology to focus light in a different way to typical lenses, which could help slow down eye lengthening and ultimately reduce the likelihood of nearsightedness developing or increasing in children. 

Once a management plan has started, they’ll need to come back in for regular check ins to reassess their level of myopia and how they’re getting on with the plan.

Swap some screen time for outside time 

There’s also lots of evidence to show that cutting down on screen time in favour of spending more time outside can be very beneficial to the progression of myopia. So when you can, try to swap out screen time with play time outdoors.  

Kids playing on the beach

Book an eye exam for your child today

Kids can get an eye exam at no cost to you with costs covered by provincial healthcare for eligible patients.

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Dr. Tracy Weng

Dr. Tracy Weng is a Doctor of Optometry practicing in Canada, providing comprehensive eye care at the Specsavers Kitsilano location. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Optometrists and BC Doctors of Optometry, and serves on multiple committees with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. Dr. Weng is committed to delivering personalized, evidence‑based care while also supporting the growth of the profession through mentorship, continuing education, and professional collaboration.

  1. Holden BA, et al.  (2016) Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 123(5): p. 103642.

  2. Angus Reid Group (2025) study conducted by the Angus Reid Group, on behalf of Specsavers

  3. The Canadian Association of Optometry (2023) Why is a comprehensive eye exam so important? Available at: https://opto.ca/eye‑health‑library/eye‑exam