How to Improve Myopia Control for Children? What Parent Needs to Know

As a parent, you've likely noticed how common myopia (nearsightedness) is among children. You're not imagining it - according to the British Journal of Ophthalmology, over one-third of children worldwide are myopic, and this number is projected to reach nearly 40% by 2050 [9].

While getting glasses can quickly fix blurry vision, the glasses alone, in fact, do not slow down the worsening of myopia. That’s where myopia control comes in. This guide will help you understand what myopia really is, why it progresses, and what you can do now to protect your child’s eyesight for the future. It's a proactive approach focused on managing the condition to support your child's long-term eye health. At Orthovision, we use a holistic approach to help families understand and address the 'why' behind myopia progression.

What is myopia?

Myopia (nearsightedness) is a common vision condition where you can have clear near vision but blurred distance vision, such as difficulty seeing the classroom board or recognising faces from afar. [1]. 

From a clinical perspective, myopia occurs when the eye grows slightly longer than it should, or when the cornea - the clear front surface of the eye - becomes too curved. As a result, light focuses in front of the retina, the light-sensitive back of the eye, instead of directly on it.

While myopia may seem simple on the surface - “just needing glasses” - it is, in fact, an ongoing growth process within the eye. This means that once myopia starts, it often progresses as the child grows. That is why early understanding and proactive management are so important. By recognising myopia as more than just blurry vision, parents can take meaningful steps to protect their child’s long-term eye health.

Why does myopia control matter in children?

The primary goal of myopia control for children is to slow down this progression. The concern is not just about needing thicker glasses; it's about significant long-term health risks.

• A Global Trend: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is predicted that half the world's population may be myopic by 2050 [3].

• Regional Impact: This challenge is especially evident in Singapore and East Asia. Research published in Ophthalmology (Holden, 2016) noted that in some areas, over 80% of teenagers are myopic [4].

• Long-Term Risks: High myopia (a more severe level of nearsightedness) significantly increases the risk of serious, sight-threatening conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration [5].

• Early Intervention: Myopia progression tends to accelerate between the ages of 6 and 12. Therefore, starting management strategies early is the most effective way to protect your child's vision.

What influences myopia progression?

While the exact cause is complex, myopia in children is influenced by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.

• Genetics: This plays a significant role. According to clinical data and educational bodies like Myopia Profile, a child with one myopic parent has an approximately 3x higher risk, and with two myopic parents, that risk doubles to around 6x higher. [8]

• Near Work: According to a 2018 study in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Wu), long hours spent on "near work" (like reading, using tablets, or phones) increase eye strain and are linked to axial elongation - the lengthening of the eyeball that causes myopia [6].

• Lack of Outdoor Time: This is a critical factor. Research, including a landmark 2015 study in JAMA (He), has shown that spending more time outdoors can help reduce the risk of myopia [7].

How can parents support myopia control?

While you cannot change your child's genetics, you have a powerful influence over the lifestyle factors that support their eye health.

Encourage outdoor activities

This is one of the most effective supportive strategies. Aim for at least two hours of outdoor play per day. The natural, bright light and the need to focus on distant objects are believed to help regulate healthy eye growth.

Learn more: ​​Prevent Myopia

Manage screen time & near work

This is about balance, not just restriction.

• Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: This is a great guideline. Every 20 minutes of near work, have your child take a 20-second break, and look at something 20 feet away.

• Check the Distance: Encourage a healthy reading distance of more than 30cm from their face and ensure they maintain good posture.

Optimise lighting & sleep

Ensure your child's study area is bright and evenly lit to reduce eye strain. Additionally, avoid prolonged screen use in low light, especially before bedtime, as this can disrupt both visual rest and sleep cycles.

Schedule regular vision check-ups

This is vital. It's important to note that if myopia runs in the family, it may not be entirely preventable. However, the methods above can significantly help decrease the risk of it developing or progressing quickly. An annual comprehensive eye exam that includes functional vision testing is the best way to track changes in eye growth and coordination, allowing for early intervention.

How can myopia be treated?

For children who already have myopia, the goal is two-fold:

1. Correct their current blurry vision.

2. Manage and slow down future progression.

Common treatment options that your eye care professional may discuss include [2]:

• Eyeglasses: The most common way to correct blurry vision.

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) / CRT: Specially designed rigid contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea, providing clear vision during the day.

• Medicated Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine eye drops are often used as a key part of myopia management in Singapore and globally to help slow progression.

• Specialised Contact Lenses: Multifocal soft contact lenses are also available that are designed to help slow the progression of myopia.

Vision therapy may also be recommended as part of a holistic plan, especially if there are challenges with eye coordination, focusing, or teaming that are contributing to visual strain.

How Orthovision Singapore supports children's myopia control

Our approach at Orthovision Singapore goes beyond just prescribing glasses; we are focused on your child's functional eye health and long-term vision stability.

We call this our Comprehensive Functional Visual Assessment. Our expertise as Southeast Asia's only accredited INPP practitioner is central to this approach. It allows us to look beyond a simple prescription check (visual acuity) to thoroughly evaluate your child's critical functional skills, like their accommodation (focusing ability), eye alignment, and how their eyes work together as a team (binocular vision efficiency).

Based on this assessment, we develop a tailored intervention plan. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It may include:

• Personalised lifestyle modification plans.

• Vision therapy sessions to support eye coordination and focus endurance.

Finally, we provide ongoing monitoring and parent education. We empower you with the knowledge to support your child's vision and collaborate with other eye care professionals to ensure continuity of care.

Ready to take a proactive step for your child's vision? Book a Comprehensive Myopia Control Assessment today.

Schedule a visual assessment

References

[1] Mayo Clinic. Nearsightedness (myopia).

[2] American Optometric Association (AOA). Myopia (Nearsightedness). 

[3] World Health Organisation (WHO).

[4] Holden (2016). Global Prevalence of Myopia, Ophthalmology.

[5] Morgan (2021). Myopia, The Lancet.

[6] Wu (2018). Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

[7] Mingguang He (2015). Effect of Time Spent Outdoors at School on the Development of Myopia Among Children in China, JAMA.

[8] Kate Gifford and Kimberley Ngu (2023). How to understand myopia risk factors.

[9] Jack Guy, CNN Health (2024). 1 in 3 children worldwide is now nearsighted, study shows