Myopia in children is a growing global concern


In recent months there has been more attention in the media on the growing issue of childhood myopia (short-sightedness).

A study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology has shown that myopia (short-sightedness) rates have tripled in children since 1990, with myopia now affecting 1 in 3 children globally,1  and by 2050, the condition could affect more than half of teens worldwide.1

Early treatment is best ,*2 so it’s important to have your children’s eyes tested regularly.  
 

 

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What is myopia?

Myopia typically occurs when the eyeball grows too quickly in childhood. It can rapidly worsen, particularly in younger children .3 

Myopia causes blurry vision and usually requires glasses or contact lenses to see details, for instance on a whiteboard or the TV.4 As myopia increases so does the reliance on vision correction for everyday activities and there is also an increased risk of future eye health conditions later in life.5-8

Why is myopia increasing?

According to the study, contributors to myopia include:

  • Increased screen time, especially during lockdowns.1
  • Less time spent outdoors and early schooling.1
  • Genetics, and lifestyle factors such as living in urban areas.1

How can you help?

Myopia management solutions

For children diagnosed with myopia, there are some clinically effective options that can slow the worsening of myopia including both specially designed glasses and contact lenses.9

CooperVision’s MiSight® 1 day contact lenses are supported by a 7-year clinical trial  and are clinically proven to slow the worsening of myopia in children.10 MiSight® 1 day works for nearly all children with myopia , and cuts the worsening of myopia by half.†‡ 2,11  

Over 150,000 children worldwide are already benefiting from MiSight® 1 day.12

Looks for signs that may indicate myopia

Signs that may be related to myopia include:

  • Difficulty reading words from a distance, such as reading the whiteboard at school.13
  • Sitting close to the TV or computer or holding a mobile phone or tablet close to the face.13
  • Getting headaches.13
  • Rubbing the eyes a lot.13

Regular Eye Exams

It’s important to have your children’s eyes tested regularly.  Early treatment for myopia is best, but it’s never too late to start as even older children starting with MiSight® 1 day have the worsening of their myopia cut by half.*2   Talk to your Eye Care Professional about the myopia management options available for your child, including MiSight® 1 day contact lenses.

Further Reading:

For more information on childhood myopia and media coverage on this important issue, please see the links below.

*Children ages 8 to 15 when starting MiSight® 1 day treatment experienced a slowing of myopia progression.
†  90% of myopic eyes respond to MiSight® 1 day treatment; ages 11-15 at start of wear, n=90.
‡ Using measured and modelled data, pooled across ages (8-17), MiSight® 1 day slowed myopia progression by an average of approximately 50%.

1.    Liang J, Pu Y, Chen J, et al Global prevalence, trend and projection of myopia in children and adolescents from 1990 to 2050: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Ophthalmology Published Online First: 24 September 2024. doi: 10.1136/bjo-2024-325427
2.    Arumugam B et al. Modelling Age Effects of Myopia Progression for the MiSight 1 day Clinical Trial. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2021; 62(8): 2333.
3.    Zadnik K et al. Factors Associated with Rapid Myopia Progression in School–aged Children. Invest. Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004; 45(13): 2306. 
4.    Zadnik K et al. Prediction of Juvenile-Onset Myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015; 133(6): 683 
5.    Xu L, Wang Y, Wang S, Jonas JB. High myopia and glaucoma susceptibility, the Beijing Eye Study. Ophthalmology. 2007;114(2):216-20.
6.    Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical and environmental factors in myopia aetiology. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2013;31(6):622-60.
7.    Younan C, et al. Myopia and incident cataract and cataract surgery: the blue mountains eye study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002;43(12):3625-3632.
8.    Chen SJ, et al. Prevalence and associated risk factors of myopic maculopathy in elderly Chinese: the Shihpai eye study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53(8):4868-73.
9.    https://www.college-optometrists.org/clinical-guidance/guidance  Accessed October 2024
10.    Chamberlain P et al A 3-year Randomized Clinical Trial of MiSight Lenses for Myopia Control. Optom Vis Sci 2019;96:556-567
11.    Chamberlain P et al. Long-Term Effect of Dual-Focus Contact Lenses on Myopia Progression in Children: A 6-year Multicenter Clinical Trial. Optom Vis Sci. 2022; 99(3): 204-212.
12.    CVI data on file 2024. Internal global wearer modelling estimates for the 12-month period of May 2023 to April 2024
13.    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/short-sightedness/ Accessed October 2024

 

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