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Why More Kids Are Becoming Short-Sighted — And What Parents Need to Know

More and more children are being diagnosed with short-sightedness — also known as myopia. It’s happening earlier and progressing faster than ever before, and experts around the world are calling it a modern-day vision epidemic.

Over 5 billion people are projected to be affected by myopia by 2050. The condition, which causes blurry distance vision, is increasingly being diagnosed in children under 10 — and without the right intervention, it tends to worsen each year as they grow.

Myopia isn’t just about needing glasses. In severe cases, it can increase the long-term risk of serious eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, and even vision loss in adulthood.

Why Is Myopia Increasing So Rapidly?

Scientists believe the rise in childhood myopia is closely linked to lifestyle changes: more time spent on screens and devices, less time outdoors, and increased near work like reading and digital learning. Children’s eyes are still developing, and prolonged close-up tasks can strain this natural process.

Child using tablet screen, contributing to myopia

Why Traditional Glasses Aren’t Enough

While glasses help your child see clearly, they do not address the progression of myopia itself. In most cases, prescriptions need to be updated every 6–12 months as the eyes continue to elongate — worsening the condition.

The good news? Groundbreaking treatments now exist to slow down myopia progression — backed by years of scientific research and real-world results.

What’s Next? Treating Myopia Effectively

Leading eye care professionals now recommend advanced options like MiSight® contact lenses and MiYOSMART spectacle lenses — specifically designed to manage myopia progression in children.

These treatment options don’t just help your child see better — they protect their vision for the future.

Optometrist testing child’s vision for myopia awareness

Stay tuned as we dive deeper into each of these solutions in upcoming blogs.

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