Growing myopia concerns ahead of 2025 school year

Optometrists are urging parents to add eye tests to their back-to-school checklist amidst new data from Bupa Optical revealing that 27 per cent of children who underwent an eye test in 2024 were found to be Myopic.

These figures represent an alarming contrast to figures from the 2010s, with a separate survey from the Child Myopia Working Group suggesting just 15 per cent of parents in Australia had a child diagnosed with Myopia in 2018. This was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic when time spent in front of screens surged, potentially contributing to permanent eye issues.

Bupa Optical Optometrist Karen Makin said today’s children are far more likely to live with myopia than ever before as we continue to scratch the surface of the long-term effects of lockdowns, homeschooling and increased device usage.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more parents telling us their children used to have perfect eyesight but are now squinting or having difficulty concentrating in class.

“This is part of a concerning trend of kids spending increased time in front of screens and less time playing outdoors exposed to natural light which can help reduce the risk of developing myopia or help to slow down the progression of myopia. Mobile phones are a particular concern as they tend to be held closer to the face meaning the eyes are continually focusing at a close distance, not varying their focus from one distance to another,” Karen said.

Myopia can often be attributed to genetics however lifestyle factors such as screen time, physical activity and even diet play a major role in the development of healthy eyes, particularly for children whose bodies are still growing.

“A child’s eyesight can change very quickly which means annual eye tests are a great way to track any emerging issues and address them before they start to impact their schooling or general development.

“Unlike many physical conditions, vision impairments can be difficult for a parent to identify, however there are some tell-tale signs a parent can take note of, such as squinting, watery eyes or just general tiredness or irritability,” Karen said.

The latest data from the Child Myopia Working Group in 2022 suggests that around 30 per cent of children under 18 have never had an eye test, which means there is likely to be a large number of undiagnosed childhood cases of Myopia in Australia.

“With cost-of-living pressures affecting many families, it’s important to remember that eye tests are bulk-billed for eligible Medicare card holders at Bupa Optical, are quick and a lot less hassle than those constantly changing lunchbox requests!” Karen said.