Myopia Meaning: What You Need to Know About Short-Sightedness
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is one of the most common eye disorders and is currently estimated to affect over two billion people worldwide. It usually begins in young children and those with myopia can see clearly up close, but objects in the distance seem blurry or fuzzy. Prevalence of myopia has increased significantly over the past several decades and it is now considered an emerging ‘epidemic’ and a growing public health concern. In 2020, researchers estimated that that myopia is responsible for approximately one-third of all irreversible blindness worldwide, as high levels of myopia can lead to glaucoma, cataract and myopic maculopathy (damage to the retina, the sensor layer at the back of the eye). Fortunately, parents can take simple steps today to help avoid the risks of myopia and ensure their kids have good vision for life.
What is Myopia?
Myopia (also called short-sightedness or near-sightedness) is a chronic, progressive disease commonly due to elongation of the eye, or the cornea (the clear window at the front of the eye) being too curved. As a result, when light enters a myopic eye, it is focused in front of the retina rather than directly on it, which causes far vision to be blurred.
How Lifestyle and Genetics Influence Myopia
The development of myopia is influenced by several factors. Myopia causes include prolonged near work, extended years of education and insufficient exposure to natural daylight.
Genetics also plays a role, particularly among children of East Asian descent or those with myopic parents.
What are the signs of myopia?
Common symptoms of myopia include:
- Frequent squinting or eye rubbing
- Sitting too close to screens or whiteboards
- Difficulty seeing objects in the distance
- Accidental collisions
- Complaints of headaches or sore eyes.
Because myopia often develops gradually, many kids may not realise their vision is different and assume everyone sees the world as blurry. They often won’t mention any difficulties to their parents, which is why regular eye checks are so important for early detection and management.
Why is myopia a ‘problem’?
The impact of myopia on children can be profound. Difficulty seeing the board in school may hinder academic performance, while struggling to see distant objects may limit participation in sports and recreational activities. Research also suggests that myopia, especially when left uncorrected, can negatively affect children’s quality of life.
The website childmyopia.com features an excellent vision simulator tool that lets you see how vision changes at different levels of short-sightedness. Simply move the slider along the scale to see how myopia affects eyesight without spectacles or contact lenses.
Can myopia cause permanent blindness?
Myopia goes beyond just needing glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. When myopia develops at an early age, it significantly increases the likelihood of progression to high myopia, increasing the risk of permanent vision loss from conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disorders.
Pathological myopia is already the leading cause of irreversible blindness in several neighbouring Asian countries, including China, Taiwan and Japan. However, proactive steps—such as reducing screen time, encouraging outdoor activities, and ensuring regular optometrist visits—can help prevent a similar trend in Australia.
While avoiding ‘high-myopia’ (over -5.00D) remains a priority, researchers note that each additional diopter of myopia is associated with a 58% increase in the risk of myopic maculopathy, 20% increase in the risk of open-angle glaucoma, 21% increase in the risk of posterior subcapsular cataract and a 30% increase in the risk of retinal detachment.
As a parent, you have enough to worry about, but taking myopia seriously is important. The earlier your child is diagnosed and treated, the greater the protection against future vision loss. Whether by helping kids avoid developing myopia or slowing its progression, early action remains key.
How common is myopia?
Researchers have predicted that half of Australians will have myopia by 2040.
The average age for developing myopia is also reducing – in 1983 it was 11 years old, whereas in 2000 it was eight years old. This is a concern because in younger children, myopia progresses more quickly as their eyes grow at a faster rate, leading to higher levels of myopia, stronger prescriptions and higher long-term eye health risks.
To help parents assess and manage myopia risks, Australian optometrists Kate and Paul Gifford have developed My Kids Vision, a free online tool that helps parents assess and manage myopia risks for their kids. The survey asks six questions and provides advice on your child’s risk of developing myopia and of myopia worsening.
Where to Get More Advice?
We recommend making an appointment with an optometrist for a comprehensive eye examination. Regular eye exams, starting before your child begins school, help detect and manage vision issues early, ensuring most eye conditions can be prevented or corrected. Eye exams are also valuable for assessing overall health.
If you do not have an optometrist or need to find one nearby, use our Find an optometrist search tool.
Disclaimer: No information provided on the Good vision for life website is intended to constitute or substitute advice from visiting an optometrist. You should seek appropriate personalised advice from a qualified optometrist about any eye health and vision conditions.
