Supporting Children’s Vision: Preventing Myopia Early
The causes of myopia are multifactorial, and while we can’t change genetic risk factors, simple lifestyle modifications can play a crucial role in preventing myopia or slowing its progression.
Balancing ‘screen time with green time’
One of the most effective ways to prevent myopia in children is to ensure they spend enough time outdoors. Studies show that at least two hours of sun-safe time outdoors per day can help reduce the risk of developing myopia in children. Growing evidence supports that more time outdoors may also slow the progression of myopia. Consequently, new studies have shown that myopia, or short-sightedness, increased significantly among young school children during the COVID-19 pandemic, with researchers dubbing 2020 as the year of ‘quarantine myopia’.
One of these studies looked at over 120,000 Chinese kids and found that for 6-year-olds, the prevalence of myopia increased by 400% during 2020 compared to the year before.
Researchers have long recognised the link between time spent outdoors and the development of myopia. The extended home confinement during lockdowns meant children spent less time outdoors and more time on near activities like screen use and reading up close. This combination is believed to have contributed to the sharp rise in myopia cases.
Optometry Australia has always championed balancing ‘screen time with green time’ to help protect children’s eyesight. Encouraging kids to engage in outdoor activities, such as playing sports or spending time in natural light, can be a simple yet effective strategy to prevent myopia.
Take breaks from screen and near work
Prolonged periods of near work—including reading, studying, and screen use—has been a longstanding risk factor for myopia progression. With digital devices now widely used for schoolwork and recreation, children are spending more time focusing on screens than traditional books. Viewing a screen is a more passive process than actively reading a book and it is very easy for us to be glued to screens for extended periods of time. Researchers have found significant associations between increased screen time (digital devices alone or with computer usage) and myopia progression.
The 20/20 Rule for Eye Health
20/20 is the notation for perfect vision, and Optometry Australia’s 20/20 rule is a very simple reminder to take breaks.
- Every 20 minutes, look up and focus on something in the distance for 20 seconds to give our eye muscles a chance to rest.
This rule applies to both children and adults, as regular breaks help reduce digital eyestrain. Parents can make it easier for kids to remember by setting a timer when they use screens.
The Elbow Rule: Keeping Screens at a Safe Distance
The closer an object is to our eyes, the harder our focussing muscles must work to make it clear. To encourage healthy screen habits, children can use the elbow rule:
- Make a fist and rest it on their chin
- Tell them not to hold a screen or book closer than their elbow.
Additionally, enabling Apple’s Screen Distance setting for iPads and iPhones may also help. This feature uses the ‘selfie’ camera to measure how far away the user is and shuts off the screen if held too close.
Can Myopia Be Prevented?
While myopia cannot always be fully prevented, research strongly suggests that certain lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of developing myopia and help slow its progression in children. Encouraging outdoor play, managing screen time, and taking regular breaks from near work are all simple but effective ways to support long-term eye health.
By making these small adjustments, parents can help prevent myopia in children and protect their vision for life.
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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.
