One of the most common worries parents bring to me is a version of the same question: I have noticed my child squinting at the TV and sitting really close to the screen, should I be concerned? It’s a good question to ask, and understanding the signs of myopia in children early makes a real difference. Short-sightedness (myopia) is becoming more common in Australian children, and the earlier we pick it up, the more we can do.
In this guide I will explain what myopia actually is, the signs to look for at home, why it is on the rise, and the options we have here in Adelaide to slow it down.
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is when your child can see things up close clearly but distant things look blurry, such as the whiteboard, the TV, or a friend across the playground. It usually happens because the eye grows slightly too long from front to back, so light focuses just in front of the retina instead of on it. It most often starts during the school years and tends to progress as a child grows.
From testing children’s eyes day to day, these are the signs I would suggest keeping an eye out for:
If one or more of these sounds familiar, it is worth booking a children’s eye test, even if your child has never mentioned a problem. Children often do not realise their vision is not normal, because it is all they have ever known.
Two things play the biggest role: genetics and lifestyle. A child is more likely to become short-sighted if one or both parents are. But lifestyle matters too. More close-up work and screens, and less time outdoors, are both linked to rising rates of myopia. Time outdoors seems to be genuinely protective, with around two hours a day helping to reduce the risk.
A simple way to remember it: less screen time and close-up work, more time outside (about two hours a day), and regular eye tests with your optometrist. Three small habits that make a real difference.
It is easy to think of short-sightedness as simply needing glasses. But higher levels of myopia in adulthood are linked to a greater lifetime risk of certain eye conditions. That is why we focus on slowing progression during childhood, while the eyes are still growing, rather than just updating a prescription each year.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Following a comprehensive assessment, we may recommend a combination of:
Ordinary-looking spectacle lenses that use peripheral defocus to help slow eye growth.
Soft daily lenses that correct vision while slowing progression.
Custom rigid lenses worn overnight that gently reshape the cornea, giving clear vision through the day.
A nightly eye drop that may be recommended where additional control is needed.
At Adelaide City Optometrist we run a structured Myopia Control Program. Your child’s eye length (axial length) is measured through our partner, Kingswood Eye Centre, so we can track exactly how the eyes are changing over time, and you receive a written report at each key stage. Full details and fees are on our Myopia Control site.
If you have noticed any of the signs above, or myopia runs in your family, we are here to help. Book a children’s eye test on 08 8224 0819 or online at HotDoc.
