Dr Annegret Dahlmann-Noor
Consultant Ophthalmologist, Moorfields Eye Hospital and NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre
Craig Wallace
General Manager, UK and Ireland, Santen
Cases of childhood myopia are growing in number, which can lead to visual complications in later life. There are ways to reduce the risk of its progression, however.
In the UK, myopia in children and teenagers used to be rare, says Dr Annegret Dahlmann-Noor, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital and NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre. Now, it’s on the rise.
Prevalence of childhood myopia
Myopia (also known as shortsightedness) is a condition where the eye grows too long. As a result, objects in the distance look blurry unless vision-correcting glasses or contact lenses are worn. “At least 10% of UK children have myopia by the time they are 10–12 years old, and a quarter have it by the age of 15–16,” explains Dr Dahlmann-Noor.
“Unfortunately, the earlier myopia starts, the more it can progress, which increases the risk of serious and sight-threatening complications developing in adulthood,” adds Craig Wallace, General Manager of Santen UK and Ireland. What’s more, a shortsighted child who needs to wear glasses but doesn’t can fall behind at school — and their myopia can worsen. “Children should have a regular sight test to make sure that they don’t need glasses or that their prescription is up to date,” says Dr Dahlmann-Noor.
Environmental and lifestyle factors
are driving the uptick in childhood cases.
Strategies for reducing the risk of myopia
Why does a person develop myopia? Well, genetics plays a part; your risk is increased if one of your parents has the condition. If both are shortsighted, the risk is even greater. Yet, Dr Dahlmann-Noor states that environmental and lifestyle factors are driving the uptick in childhood cases.
“Children today spend a lot less time outdoors than they used to a generation or two ago — and spend a lot more time indoors on books and screens,” she says. “Sunlight has a protective effect, so the recommendation is that children, particularly young children, should be outdoors for at least an hour-and-a-half per day.” Another strategy is known as the 20-20-2 rule, where every 20 minutes, they take a break from close work, look into the distance for at least 20 seconds and spend two hours a day outside.
We need to talk about myopia more
Public health campaigns are needed to increase awareness of myopia in children. This can also help break down the stigma of wearing spectacles that can still impact children, and stop them from being teased by their peers. “The right glasses and lifestyle adjustments are the first steps to tackling childhood myopia,” she says. “Have your child’s eyes tested once a year — which is free in the UK — and get them to play outside as much as possible. It’s important for their eye development and also their general health and social skills.”
Date: Sep. 2024
Job code: NP-MYOP-EMEA-0007
