Mother and child reading tablet screen while lying in bed smiling

Myopia, the medical term for nearsightedness, usually begins in childhood, and it can get worse each year until adulthood. You might be wondering if your child is or could be part of the myopia generation, so let's look at some of the various risk factors to give you a better idea.

It's estimated that myopia could affect upwards of 52% of the world population by 20501.

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Risk factors of myopia

The exact cause of myopia is still unclear, but there are a few known risk factors. A child may be at risk of developing myopia due to one or more of the following:

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Genetics

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Environment

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Visual habits

Read each question below and click on the answer that best describes your child. Each selection will take a deeper dive into how these risk factors may or may not affect your child.

Are either of the child's parents nearsighted?

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Neither parent

With no family history, your child is at lower risk from a genetics standpoint. It's important to understand all the risk factors and consult with your eye doctor.

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One or both parents

If one parent has myopia, the child's risk for myopia is three times greater. If both parents are nearsighted, the child's risk for myopia is double that2.

How much time does your child spend outdoors?

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More than 2 hours a day

Great news—spending time outdoors can help protect against myopia3. So keep encouraging your child to play outdoors3. More green time means less screen time!

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Less than 2 hours a day

Remember, more green time means less screen time. Spending time outdoors has been shown to be protective against development of myopia so consider encouraging your child to spend at least 2 hours a day outside in natural daylight3.

How much time each day does your child spend on a digital device that's not related to school work?

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Less than 2 hours

Keep encouraging less time in front of screens and more time outdoors with your child.

Multiple studies confirm that an increase in screentime, combined with reduced outdoor time, can negatively affect myopia development and progression.

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More than 2 hours

This generation has seen the rise of smartphones and tablets, streaming services that offer binge-worthy television at your fingertips, video calling, virtual classrooms and more.

Encourage your child to take a break from devices and spend time outside. Fresh air and outdoor recreation have many benefits, including decreasing the risk of eye strain and myopia.

Multiple studies have confirmed that an increase in near work, in combination with reduced outdoor time, can have a negative effect on myopia development and progression4.

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If myopia is not managed properly, it can lead to high myopia and other serious vision complications in adulthood.

However, if it's detected early enough, myopia control strategies can slow progression and avoid high myopia. Not all kids will have obvious symptoms of myopia (squinting, eye strain, etc.), so regular eye exams are important.

When should your Child see the eye doctor?

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6 months to 2 years:

First comprehensive vision care exam

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Age 3

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Age 5-6

Just before starting school

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Annually

Throughout the school years

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"Annual eye exams are a must for everyone but especially children. A child should get their first eye exam before the age of 2. The exam can identify children that have early nearsightedness and provide education to parents about treatments that can slow the progression of myopia."

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John Lahr, O.D., FAAO

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Schedule an eye exam for your child with an in-network provider, such as Pearle Vision — they make the experience fun for kids by incorporating The Eye Squad, featuring characters Iris and Lash who are on a mission to save eyes everywhere.

Schedule an Eye Exam

Before you go, log into Member Web to view your benefits and check the special offers tab.

1 - "Reshaping care: New myopia management guidance released," American Optometric Association, January 12, 2021, https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/diseases-and-conditions/new-myopia-management-guidance-released?sso=y

2- "Myopia in Children: Is your child at risk?," All About Vision, May 2022, https://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/myopia-causes.htm

3 - "Is myopia more genetic or environmental?," All About Vision, March 2022, https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/refractive-errors/myopia-genetic-or-environmental/

4- "Why Is There a Myopia Explosion?," Optometrists Network, January 2022, https://www.optometrists.org/childrens-vision/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions/what-is-myopia/why-is-there-a-myopia-explosion/

5 - "How Often Do Kids Need Eye Exams?," Medical Optometry America, March 2021, https://medodamerica.com/how-often-do-kids-need-eye-exams/