Blog: #MyopiaAndMe

High myopia is increasing around the world, and with it comes a higher risk of serious eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration. Understanding why  some eyes grow too long is crucial if we want to slow or stop the condition. A new breakthrough study published in Cell Research  has identified a powerful genetic driver behind high myopia: a gene called PRSS56. Researchers found that when PRSS56 is over‑active, it directly causes the eye

BBC Article reporting "Screen time for under-fives should be limited to one hour a day, parents told" Today’s BBC coverage on children’s screen use is a welcome and important contribution to a growing national conversation. With its reach and credibility, the BBC plays a vital role in shaping public understanding of child health issues. But in this case, something important is missing. What the article does not fully address is one of the most significant and well-evidenced c

Every year on March 23, World Optometry Day celebrates the essential role of optometrists in global eye health. This year, the World Council of Optometry (WCO) is expanding the celebration into World Optometry Week 2026, taking place from March 22–28 under the theme “ A Shared Vision: Collaboration in Global Eye Care .” This theme reflects a powerful message: no single profession can meet the world’s growing eye‑care needs alone, especially as vision problems such as childhoo

Childhood myopia—short‑sightedness—is rising at a pace that’s worrying parents, teachers, and eye‑care professionals across the UK. Despite the growing number of children affected, the level of care they receive varies dramatically depending on where they live and whether their families can afford private treatment. A recent narrative review published in Cureus (" A Narrative Review of Childhood Myopia Management Across the NHS and Private Sector in the UK " ) highlights just

If you have children in your practice who meet the criteria, please consider making families aware of this opportunity. Referring suitable patients helps advance the evidence base that will guide future myopia management.

Myopia, or short‑sightedness, has become one of the fastest‑growing eye health challenges among children worldwide. If you’re a parent, you may already be seeing the effects—your child struggling to see the board at school, squinting at distant objects, or relying more and more on glasses.

Choosing glasses when you’re highly myopic can feel like a compromise before you even start. In this interview-style editorial, optician Anthony Josephson shares practical, experience-led advice on frame shape, lens choice and confidence, explaining why some frames work beautifully for high myopes and others disappoint, even when they look great on the shelf.

Parents are hearing more and more about myopia (short-sightedness) in children—and with good reason. Myopia is becoming more common and can progress quickly during school years. A new peer‑reviewed study in the Journal of Translational Medicine explores an important question: is there a link between intraocular pressure (IOP)—the pressure inside the eye—and myopia in young people? Here’s a parent-friendly summary of what this means and what you can do. What is intraocular pr

A new study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology ( Factors influencing glaucoma severity in highly myopic glaucoma, 2025 ) adds important insight into how glaucoma behaves in people with high myopia. While glaucoma is often thought of as an adult eye disease, its connection to childhood myopia matters to parents, because today’s myopic child is more likely to become a highly myopic adult—bringing higher lifetime risks. What is glaucoma and why does myopia matter? Glaucoma

A new study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology reports that children born to mothers of advanced reproductive age are more likely to develop myopia (nearsightedness). While “advanced maternal age” is often defined as 35 years and older, the key takeaway for parents is not to worry or feel blame—rather, to understand that parental age is one of many factors that can influence a child’s vision and to focus on proactive steps that protect eye health. What the study means fo

Myopia (nearsightedness) is now one of the most common vision problems in school-age children. But it’s not just about blurry distance vision. A recent study of Chinese middle school students looked at how myopia relates to depression—and asked an important question: does wearing eyeglasses play a role in that connection? What the study found Researchers surveyed a large group of middle schoolers in China using standard questions about mood and mental health, along with infor

If you’re a parent worried about nearsightedness (myopia) or someone managing myopia yourself, you’ve probably heard the advice: spend more time outdoors. A new analysis published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology—“Time outdoors prevents myopia in hyperopic children, but protection is weaker in premyopic children: a post-hoc analysis of a cluster-randomised trial”—adds an important nuance. Outdoor time does help lower the risk of myopia, but its protective effect is str

At Myopia Focus, we recognise practices raising standards in childhood myopia care. Hammond and Dummer Bespoke Opticians were named Myopia Management Practice of the Year 2025, reflecting a thoughtful, family-centred approach. Led by Claire Ranger, the practice offers evidence-based care tailored to each child, highlighting why specialist myopia support matters more than ever.

Refraction is the part of an eye exam that measures how your child’s eyes focus light, so the optometrist can determine the best prescription for clear vision. For children with myopia (nearsightedness), accurate refraction is essential—not just for seeing clearly, but also for tracking progression and guiding myopia management. What happens during a refraction eye exam: Autorefractor : Your child may first look into a machine that gives an initial estimate of their prescript

If you or your partner are nearsighted, it’s natural to ask: is myopia genetic? The short answer is yes—myopia (short‑sightedness) tends to run in families—but genes are only part of the picture. A major scientific review, Myopia Genetics and Heredity , brings together decades of research and shows that both inherited risk and a child’s daily environment shape whether myopia develops and how fast it progresses. What the study found Strong heredity: Family and twin studies su

If your child is short-sighted (myopic), you’ve probably wondered: how long is an eye prescription good for? The short answer is that a glasses prescription is a snapshot of your child’s vision on the day of the eye test. Children’s eyes can change quickly, especially when myopia is progressing, so relying on an old prescription can leave them struggling to see clearly and may delay important myopia management. How long does a glasses prescription last in practice? In the UK,

If your child has been diagnosed with myopia (short-sightedness), you’ve probably heard terms like “20/20 vision” during eye tests. But what is 20/20 vision, does it mean perfect eyesight, and how does it relate to children with myopia? Here’s a clear, parent-friendly guide. What is 20/20 vision? 20/20 vision describes visual acuity — how clearly someone can see at a standard distance on an eye chart. In the UK you may also see 6/6, which is the metric equivalent of 20/20. If

If your child is short‑sighted (myopic), you’ve probably heard about orthokeratology (Ortho‑K) contact lenses and low‑dose atropine eye drops. A recent peer‑reviewed study in BMC Ophthalmology, “ Longitudinal safety and efficacy of dual treatment with orthokeratology lenses and 0.01% atropine eye drops: a focus on epithelial changes and tear film stability ,” adds helpful reassurance for families considering this combination approach What the study looked at and why it matter

There has been a major development in childhood myopia management in the UK. For the first time, low-dose atropine (LDA) – one of the most widely researched and evidence-backed treatments for slowing myopia progression – has received regulatory approval.

A large new study from Hong Kong has found that children who consumed more omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were less likely to be myopic, suggesting diet may play a helpful role alongside proven myopia management. The research, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology ( Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a protective factor of myopia: the Hong Kong Children Eye Study ), adds to a growing body of evidence linking overall health and eye growth. What are