Childhood nearsightedness rates have tripled in 30 years as screen time and indoor activities fuel myopia crisis affecting 25% of Canadian children
When Karen Robock’s youngest daughter needed glasses two years ago, it felt like a simple rite of passage given that both sides of the family wear them. What shocked her was how rapidly Maisie’s nearsightedness progressed, requiring nightly eye drops and expensive specialty lenses to slow the deterioration.
Maisie’s story isn’t unique. Research shows myopia rates among children and teens worldwide have tripled over the past 30 years, with a noticeable spike since the COVID-19 pandemic. In Canada, roughly 25% of kids are now nearsighted, yet 82% of Canadians remain unaware that nearsightedness is increasing faster than in previous generations, according to the Canada Eyecare Report 2025.
Understanding the epidemic
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a visual condition where you see things well up close but cannot see clearly at a distance. It happens when the eye grows too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, explains Naomi Barber, an optometrist and clinical services director for Specsavers Canada.
The condition typically develops in childhood or early adolescence and tends to worsen as children grow, making regular eye exams crucial. Unfortunately, 45% of school-aged children are not receiving recommended annual eye exams, creating a concerning gap in preventive care.
The serious long-term risks
Nearsightedness that’s not diagnosed or treated affects how well children play sports, perform in school and inhibits other aspects of development, according to the Canadian Association of Optometrists.
More concerning are long-term consequences for eye health. Myopia is linked to glaucoma, a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, cataracts when the normally clear lens gets cloudy, and retinal detachment, which requires emergency surgery to prevent permanent vision loss.
Screens aren’t the only culprit
The rise in myopia has been linked to children spending much more time indoors, increased screen time, increased near-focused activities and less time outdoors, says Barber. Tablets and smartphones are at least partly to blame, but the amount of time spent indoors matters beyond screen use because our eyes need the intensity and full spectrum of natural daylight to function properly.
The pandemic accelerated this trend dramatically. With schools closed and outdoor activities restricted, children spent unprecedented hours staring at screens for remote learning and entertainment, corresponding with sharp increases in myopia diagnoses.
Warning signs parents miss
Unfortunately, there might not be obvious signs your child needs glasses, especially if they’re young. Children don’t have a comparison to clear vision and so may not complain or exhibit obvious symptoms, Barber explains.
Preschoolers might hold books close to their faces or sit close to the TV. School-age kids might complain of headaches after school, or teachers may notice excessive squinting. However, many children show no symptoms, making routine eye exams the only reliable diagnostic method.
Treatment options that work
Some children maintain the same prescription over time, while others see slow increases. But some kids’ myopia progresses shockingly fast, requiring intervention.
Peripheral defocus soft contact lenses, orthokeratology hard contact lenses, peripheral defocus glasses and low-dose atropine eye drops are all approved options. These specific treatment methods have been evidenced to help refocus light within myopic children’s eyes in a way that encourages eye growth to slow down, therefore reducing rapid elongation or stretching of the eye, says Barber.
What works best depends on the child’s age, family finances and what parents can commit to as part of their eye care routine. Robock invested in peripheral defocus lenses at roughly three times the cost of regular glasses, thankfully covered by insurance. They also committed to nightly prescription eye drops for at least a year.
Simple prevention strategies
Extreme myopia-restricting measures also include curbing screen time, taking frequent breaks when reading or doing close work, and spending more time outside. These lifestyle modifications represent the most accessible interventions for all families.
Outdoor time appears particularly protective. Studies suggest children who spend more time outdoors, even without reducing screen time, show lower myopia rates. Natural light exposure and distance viewing opportunities outdoor play provides benefit developing eyes in ways indoor activities cannot replicate.
The best thing parents can do is turn off screens, send kids outside to play and book yearly eye exams. Early detection and intervention offer the best chance of slowing myopia progression and protecting children from serious vision problems later in life.