In 2023, more than one-third of children worldwide were diagnosed with myopia, or nearsightedness — an eye condition that blurs distance vision and, if left unmanaged, can lead to serious complications. The World Health Organization now predicts that by 2050, 50% of the global population will be affected. That’s nearly 5 billion people, and the trend is starting at a younger age than ever before.
This alarming rise, now being called the “Myopia Epidemic” by the National Eye Institute, has been driven largely by modern lifestyle changes: more time spent indoors, increased screen exposure, and early, prolonged close-up activities like reading, tablet use and gaming.
I was diagnosed with myopia at age 5 in kindergarten. That’s early, especially as my symptoms began around age 4. I still remember my first time wearing glasses in the car, and how excited I was to read the road signs. My initial myopia diagnosis, plus its quick progression every six months, drove my parents to learn what could be done to slow the progression of myopia. Within a couple of years, I was engaging in various activities to train my eyes.
My experience with myopia has motivated me to share what I’ve learned to help other kids. During my junior year of high school, I created an educational presentation on eye health that the Anchorage School District approved. I’ve since delivered it to hundreds of students from kindergarten through fourth grade across the Anchorage area, and I plan to continue presenting throughout Alaska. My mission is to educate children, parents and teachers about how to protect young eyes and why the choices we make today will shape how clear we see tomorrow.
WHAT IS MYOPIA, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This leads to blurry distance vision and, over time, increases the risk of developing serious eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment.
Most cases begin in childhood and worsen as kids grow.
And while glasses and contact lenses can correct blurry vision, they don’t address the underlying issue — the eyeball’s shape continues to elongate.
According to the International Myopia Institute, only 10% of myopia risk is genetic. The remaining 90% is linked to environmental and behavioral factors, meaning there are real steps families can take to reduce the risk.
THE CRITICAL WINDOW: WHY EYE HEALTH IN CHILDHOOD MATTERS
Eye development begins at birth and continues rapidly through the early years of life. In fact, the first 10 years are the most critical period for visual development, they are the time when a child’s eye structure, coordination, and focusing ability are still forming.
According to the National Eye Institute and the World Health Organization, habits and environmental influences during the critical development stage can have lasting effects on how a child sees the world.
Factors that increase myopia risk:
— Too much screen time and prolonged close-up work can cause the eyeball to grow too long, increasing the risk of myopia.
— Outdoor play, exposure to natural sunlight, and exercise all have positive benefits for improved blood circulation, stress reduction, and control of systemic diseases, all of which can affect your eyesight.
— Diets rich in key nutrients like Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, minerals like lutein, and omega 3 fatty acids provide critical support for growing eyes and developing vision systems Factors that protect vision:
— At least 75 to 90 minutes of outdoor time per day.
— Exposure to natural daylight, which helps the retina produce dopamine (a chemical that slows eye growth).
— A diet rich in eye-healthy nutrients, including vitamins A, C, E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
— Regular, comprehensive eye exams, especially before school starts each year.
When children don’t receive proper eye care during this crucial window, such as regular eye exams, early correction with glasses, or vision therapy, their risk of developing high myopia and serious complications later in life increases significantly.
WARNING SIGNS PARENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD KNOW
The impact of poor vision goes far beyond blurry sight. Clear vision is essential for a child’s overall development. It plays a key role in learning to read, play sports, interacting with others and building confidence. Yet many kids don’t realize they have a vision problem, especially if it worsens slowly over time.
Some common warning signs:
— Squinting to see the board or read distant signs
— Holding books or screens very close
— Avoiding reading or other close-up activities
— Frequent headaches or rubbing eyes
— Difficulty recognizing faces from far distances
Without early detection and treatment, these issues can affect academic performance, social development, and emotional well-being. According to the American Optometric Association, one in four school children has an undiagnosed vision problem. That’s why early awareness, screening, and health habits are so important.
THE PANDEMIC EFFECT: A STEEP RISE IN CHILDHOOD MYOPIA?
Between 2020 and 2023, children worldwide experienced a significant increase in screen time and a decrease in outdoor play due to remote learning and COVID-19 restrictions. As a result, eye doctors have seen a steep and sudden rise in myopia cases, especially among kids ages 6 to 12.
A 2023 National Geographic report called this a “pandemic-fueled surge,” and experts warn that the long-term effects are still unfolding.
But the solution is within reach: by making simple, informative changes in our environment and daily habits, we can slow or even prevent this trend.
NATURE AND NUTRITION
Alaska offers a hidden asset in this health challenge: wide-open space and abundant natural light. Outdoor time is one of the most protective factors against myopia, particularly during the early developmental years. Outdoor play not only exposes kids to light but also exercises their eyes by encouraging them to focus at varying distances. Studies show that just 75 minutes of outdoor time per day can reduce the risk of myopia by up to 45%, especially when started before age 10.
Time spent outdoors and exposure to natural light stimulate the release of dopamine in the retina — a key neurotransmitter that plays a protective role in eye development. Dopamine helps regulate eye growth by signaling the eye to stop elongating. Since excessive elongation is the main cause of myopia, this natural chemical response is one of the most powerful tools our bodies have to prevent nearsightedness.
Sunlight also provides a full spectrum of light wavelengths, which helps the eyes focus more naturally and reduces strain caused by artificial lighting and close-up work. Being outside, whether cloudy, rainy, or dark, encourages children to look at varying distances — trees, buildings and mountains — giving the eye muscles a chance to relax and reset from near-focus activities like reading or screen time.
“Additionally, the sun is the greatest source of natural blue light, which helps regulate your circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle. There’s evidence that the lack of natural blue light might be a factor in a recent increase in cases of nearsightedness (myopia),” reports Dr. Sherry Lentfer of Katmai Eye & Vision Center, located in Anchorage. “In addition to reducing myopia, natural blue light is shown to boost alertness, improve attention span and reaction times, help memory (one study showed that 30 minutes of exposure to blue light led to better recall), and help your mood and effectively treat depression. I usually only recommend blue light protective glasses for indoor artificial lighting and digital devices, then include it with a near point eye strain reducing prescription to help decrease myopia.”
Additionally, physical activity improves overall blood circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to the eyes and surrounding tissues. It also reduces inflammation and supports a healthy nervous system, both of which are essential for optimal visual function. Outdoor play allows the eyes to engage with the environment in dynamic ways, promoting better coordination, depth perception, and overall eye health.
Local foods — like salmon, wild berries, and leafy greens — are rich in vitamins and omega-3s that support developing vision. Even canned or frozen versions of these foods offer nearly the same benefits, making them affordable and accessible options for families across Alaska.
10 SIMPLE WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY’S VISION
1. Schedule yearly eye exams — Start before kindergarten (even if an adult notices no symptoms) and continue annually.
2. Use the 20-20-20 rule — Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
3. Prioritize outdoor time — Aim for 1–2 hours daily, especially before age 10.
4. Practice vision-building activities — Sports, learning to play an instrument, puzzles, and crafts, all improve eye coordination.
5. Eat the rainbow —Bright fruits and vegetables support healthy eyes.
6. Limit recreational screen time — Less than two hours a day for school-aged kids.
7. Keep reading spaces well-lit — Poor lighting strains young eyes.
8. Wear sunglasses and protective eyewear — especially during sports or long sun exposure.
9. Say no to smoking — Secondhand smoke is linked to an increased risk of eye disease.
10. Start eye-friendly habits early — Preschool is not too young to begin.
NEW SOLUTIONS FOR MYOPIA MANAGEMENT
While glasses help kids see clearly, new treatments can slow myopia’s progression. Talk to an optometrist or ophthalmologist about options.
— Low-dose atropine drops are used nightly
— Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses worn overnight
— Multifocal soft contact lenses
— Myopia control glasses with specialized lenses
— Eye Exercises/Therapy — There are so many quick and easy eye exercises that a child, with or without myopia, can do to strengthen their eye muscles and help teach their eyes to work together. In my Myopia presentation, one eye exercise we did together was “Pencil Push-up”: Start with a pencil and arm’s length and slowly bring the pencil to the tip of your nose – but make sure you are only focused on the tip of the pencil and try to keep it clear the whole time.
THE GLOBAL VISION: WHO’S SPECS 2030 PLAN!
The World Health Organization, in May 2024, launched SPECS 2030 — a new global initiative to prevent avoidable vision loss by increasing access to care, encouraging early eye exams, and promoting healthier environments for kids’ eyes worldwide.
One of the five “pillars” of the initiative is “improve public education.” This effort inspired me to take action right here in Alaska, starting in our elementary schools. Because vision isn’t just about eyesight; it’s about opportunity, learning, and quality of life.
Vision problems often go unseen until they start affecting a child’s future. But with awareness, action, and early habits, we can protect the eyes of the next generation. “All these tips that Gema is sharing are very important to vision development and eye health. Many are easy to implement and will provide the foundational tools for good vision and eye health,” reports Dr. Sherry Lentfer.
Let’s make it a priority to see the future clearly, together.
Gema McGrew is a senior at West Anchorage High School and a student advocate for Children’s Eye Health. She has shared her presentation with 500 elementary students in the Anchorage School District and is working to expand her presentation to the Kodiak Island Borough School District. The article was reviewed by Sherry Lentfer, OD, FOVDR of the Katmai Eye and Vision Center in Anchorage.