Myopia in Children: A Predicted Epidemic
The majority (65%) of Australian parents (with children 0-17-years old) do not know what child myopia is and alarmingly, only 12% of parents recognize the eye health risk that their children might develop later in life from myopia.[1] It is important for parents to be aware of myopia, the risk factors and that it can be managed.
Myopia, or short-sightedness causes blurred distance vision, usually starts during childhood and typically progresses until a child stops growing. There are two main factors which can mean your child is more at risk of developing myopia: lifestyle and family history.
To slow the progression of myopia, and reduce longer term eye health issues, myopia needs to be managed. There are many evidence-based options now available that can slow the progression of myopia. High myopia is associated with eye health risks later in life so reducing the prevalence and impact of myopia and understanding influencing factors is critical.
Myopia is forecast to reach epidemic proportions globally.[2] Alarmingly, increases in the global prevalence of myopia and high myopia (a refractive error*of at least -5.00D in either eye)[3] mean that by 2020, it is estimated that 2 billion people worldwide will be affected. [4] By 2050, it is estimated that more than 50% of the world’s population will have myopia and 10% or almost 1 billion will have high myopia.[5] 36% of Australians are predicted to be myopic by 2020 and by 2050, that number is set to increase to 55%.[6]
Lifestyle: modern lifestyles may influence the development of myopia. These include:
· Low levels of outdoor activity[7]
· Low levels of daylight exposure[8]
· Prolonged near tasks[9] such as reading and gaming on portable devices
Family history: The likelihood of developing myopia, particularly high myopia increases when one or both parents are myopic.14 However, the exact link between a family history of myopia and development of childhood myopia remains uncertain.15 With only one myopic parent the risk of the child becoming myopic is about 33%!
For parents who are concerned that their child might be myopic, or at risk of developing myopia, the first step is to have your child’s eyes tested. If your child is diagnosed with myopia, it is important that you talk with your Optometrist about, not only correcting the immediate sight issue, but importantly what can be done to slow progression of myopia.
KEY STATISTICS:16
A recent survey looking at parental understanding and perceptions around child myopia in Australia shows:
· Only 12% of parents know of the lifestyle factors that have an impact on child myopia (low levels of outdoor activity, low levels of light exposure, prolonged near tasks such as reading and gaming on portable devices).
· 31% of Australian kids (17 years and under) have never been to an Optometrist to have an eye test.
· 44% of children have not been to an Optometrist to have an eye test before their ninth birthday.
Additional useful information about myopia can be found at www.childmyopia.com
16 CooperVision Australia and New Zealand: Child Myopia in Australia – consumer perceptions survey. op.cit.
[1] CooperVision Australia and New Zealand: Child Myopia in Australia – consumer perceptions survey. Conducted by YouGovGalaxy August/September 2018 between Wednesday 29 August and Monday 3 September 2018. The sample comprised 1,003 parents of children at home aged 0-18 years.
[2] The impact of myopia and high myopia: Report of the Joint World Health Organization – Brien Holden Vision Institute Global Scientific Meeting on Myopia. University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 16-18 March 2015
[6] Holden B; Fricke T; Wilson D; Jong M; Naidoo K; Sankaridurg P; Wong T; Naduvilath T; Resnikoff S. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through
2050. American Academy of Ophthalmology 2016
[7] He M, Xiang F, Zeng Y et al. Effect of Time Spent Outdoors at School on the Development of Myopia Among Children in China: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2015; 314:1142-1148
[8] Read SA, Collins MJ, Vincent SJ. Light Exposure and Eye Growth in Childhood. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2015: 56(11):6779-6787
[9] Ip JM, Saw SM, Rose KA, Morgan IG, Kifley A, Wang JJ, Mitchell P. Role of Near Work in Myopia: Findings in a Sample of Australian School Children. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2008:49(7):2903-2910
14 Lim LT, Gong Y, Ah-Kee EY, Xiao G, Zhang X. Impact of parental history of myopia on the development of myopia in mainland China school-aged children. Ophthalmology and Eye Disease. 2014;6:31-5
15 Ip J, Huynh S, Robaei D, Rose K, Morgan I, Smith W, Kifley A, Mitchell P. Ethnic differences in the impact of parental myopia: Findings from a population-based study of 12-year old Australian children. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2007:48:2520-2528