Myopia in Kids Is on the Rise — What Calgary Parents Can Do About It

More children than ever are becoming nearsighted - and it’s happening earlier than previous generations.

If your child has recently started needing glasses or their prescription keeps changing every year, you’re not alone. Myopia (nearsightedness) is increasing rapidly worldwide, and lifestyle changes are playing a major role.

The good news? We now know much more about how myopia develop, and more importantly, how to help slow it down.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, means distant objects appear blurry while close-up vision stays clear. It happens when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing light to focus incorrectly inside the eye.

Children with myopia may:

• Squint to see far away

• Sit close to screens or the TV

• Struggle to see the board at school

• Need stronger glasses prescriptions over time

Why Is Myopia Increasing So Quickly?

Experts believe the rise in myopia is linked to modern lifestyle habits, including:

Increased Near Work

Children today spend far more time:

• On screens

• Reading or doing homework

• Using devices at close distances

This constant near focus may contribute to the eye elongating over time.

Less Outdoor Time

Research consistently shows that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop worsening myopia.

Urbanization & Indoor Living

Globally, more children are growing up in highly indoor-focused environments with less natural light exposure and fewer opportunities for distance viewing.

Myopia Is About More Than Glasses

Many parents think myopia simply means needing stronger glasses but higher levels of myopia can increase the risk of serious eye health problems later in life.

Higher myopia is associated with an increased risk of:

• Retinal detachment

• Glaucoma

• Cataracts earlier in life

• Myopic macular degeneration

That’s why managing progression early matters.

Why Waiting Is the Wrong Approach

A common misconception is: “We’ll just wait and see if it gets worse.”

The problem is that myopia progression is often fastest during childhood, when the eyes are still developing.

The earlier intervention starts:

• The better chance we have of slowing progression

• The lower the risk of higher prescriptions later

• The more opportunity we have to support long-term eye health

Early action matters.

Myopia Control Options

Atropine Eye Drops

Low-dose atropine drops are commonly used to help reduce how quickly the eye lengthens over time.

Specialty Contact Lenses

Certain soft contact lenses are specifically designed to help slow myopia progression while correcting vision.

Specialty Glasses Lenses

Advanced spectacle lens designs, such as myopia management lenses, can help reduce progression while functioning like everyday glasses.

Increased Outdoor Time & Limiting Near Activities

One of the simplest, and most evidence-supported, tools available is increasing outdoor time and limiting near activities wherever possible.

The Evidence for Outdoor Time

Research shows that spending at least 90 minutes outdoors daily can help reduce the risk of myopia progression in children.

Natural outdoor light appears to support healthy eye development and gives the eyes a break from constant near focus. And yes - even in Calgary winters, outdoor time still counts.

Signs Your Child May Be Developing Myopia

Some common signs include:

• Sitting too close to screens

• Squinting frequently

• Complaints of blurry distance vision

• Difficulty seeing the board at school

• Frequent prescription changes

Sometimes, kids won’t complain at all - which is why routine eye exams are so important.

How Eye Live Can Help

At Eye Live, we assess:

• Your child’s current prescription

• Eye growth and visual development

• Lifestyle and risk factors

• Family history of myopia

From there, we can discuss whether myopia management options may be appropriate and create a personalized plan based on your child’s needs.

The Takeaway

Myopia is becoming more common, but it’s no longer something we simply “watch and wait” on.

With earlier detection, increased outdoor time, and modern myopia control strategies, we now have more ways to help protect children’s long-term vision and eye health.

If your child’s prescription seems to be changing quickly, or you simply want to understand their risk, it’s worth starting the conversation early and booking an eye exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age does myopia usually start?

Myopia often begins during early school years, though it can develop earlier or later depending on genetics and lifestyle factors.

Can screen time cause myopia?

Screen time itself isn’t the only cause, but prolonged near work and reduced outdoor time are strongly linked to myopia progression.

Is myopia hereditary?

Yes. Children with one or both parents who are nearsighted are at a higher risk of developing myopia.

Tags: myopia, myopia control, children, nearsightedness, Calgary SE