# Short-sightedness (myopia) in children: causes and how to slow it > Myopia, or short-sightedness, makes distant things blurry. It usually starts between ages 6 and 13 and gets stronger as a child grows. It cannot be reversed, but it can be slowed. More time outdoors, breaks from close work and special myopia-control lenses or eye drops all reduce how fast it progresses. Source: https://seebetter.co.za/blog/myopia-in-children/ Publisher: See Better (https://seebetter.co.za/) Section: Children's vision Published: 2026-10-11 Last updated: 2026-10-11 ## Key points - Myopia usually begins in the primary school years and increases into the late teens. - Children with one or two short-sighted parents are at higher risk. - About two hours outdoors a day helps to delay the start of myopia. - Ordinary glasses correct the blur, and myopia-control treatments slow the change. ## What myopia is In a short-sighted eye, the eyeball has grown slightly too long from front to back. Light from distant objects comes to a focus in front of the retina instead of on it. Near things stay clear, and far things are blurry. On a prescription, myopia is written as a minus number, such as -1.50. [Short-sighted or long-sighted?](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/short-sighted-vs-long-sighted/) explains the optics in more detail. Because the cause is the length of the eye, myopia tends to increase while a child is growing. A prescription that starts at -0.75 at age 8 may reach -3.00 or more by the mid-teens. ## Why more children are becoming short-sighted Childhood myopia is rising around the world. Researchers have projected that about half the world's population could be short-sighted by 2050. Two things drive it: - **Family history.** A child with one short-sighted parent is more likely to become short-sighted. With two, the risk is higher still. - **How children spend their time.** Long hours of close work, including reading, tablets and phones, combined with little time outdoors, is strongly linked to myopia starting earlier and progressing faster. Genes set the risk. Daily habits influence whether and when it shows up. ## Signs of myopia in a child - squinting at the TV or at the board - sitting close to screens, or holding books near the face - not recognising people at a distance - complaining that the board is blurry, or copying from a friend - losing interest in sport or outdoor games Many short-sighted children say nothing at all. See [signs your child may need glasses](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/signs-your-child-needs-glasses/). ## Why it matters beyond the glasses Mild myopia is an inconvenience. High myopia, usually defined as -6.00 or stronger, stretches the back of the eye and raises the lifetime risk of serious problems, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, early cataracts and damage to the macula. The risk rises with every step, so the aim of treatment is to keep the final prescription as low as possible. Slowing myopia in childhood is an investment in an adult's eye health. ## What slows myopia down ### More time outdoors Daylight is the best-proven protection against myopia starting. Aim for about two hours outdoors a day. It does not have to be sport. Playing, walking to school and eating lunch outside all count. Remember a hat and [sunglasses with UV protection](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/sunglasses-uv-protection-south-africa/). ### Breaks from close work Teach the 20-20-20 habit: every 20 minutes, look at something far away for 20 seconds. Books and screens should be held no closer than the distance from elbow to knuckles. [Screen time and children's eyes](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/screen-time-and-childrens-eyes/) has practical limits by age. ### Myopia-control treatments Ordinary glasses and contact lenses give clear vision, but they do not slow the eye's growth. Several treatments have been shown in clinical trials to slow progression, typically by between a third and a half: - **Myopia-control spectacle lenses.** They look like normal glasses but focus light in a way that signals the eye to grow more slowly. - **Myopia-control soft contact lenses,** worn during the day. - **Orthokeratology.** Rigid lenses worn overnight gently reshape the cornea. - **Low-dose atropine eye drops,** used at bedtime and prescribed by an eye-care practitioner. Not every option suits every child, and availability and cost vary. An optometrist can advise which is appropriate for your child's age, prescription and rate of change, or refer you to a practice that provides it. ## How often to test a short-sighted child Children with myopia should be tested at least once a year, and every six months while the prescription is changing quickly. Regular tests keep the glasses accurate. Under-correcting myopia on purpose does not slow it, and may speed it up. Tests also show how fast things are moving, which guides the decision about treatment. ## How See Better helps See Better tests children's eyes at home in Gauteng for R450. We measure the prescription, compare it with previous results and explain what the change means. If your child would benefit from a myopia-control treatment, we will tell you and guide you on the next step. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can myopia be cured? No. Once the eye has grown longer, it does not shrink back. Glasses and contact lenses correct the blur, and laser surgery can do so in adulthood, but the aim in childhood is to slow progression so that the final prescription stays lower. ### Do screens cause myopia? Long periods of any close work, including screens and books, are linked to a higher risk, especially combined with little time outdoors. Screens are not uniquely harmful. What matters is how long, how close and how little time is spent outside. ### Does wearing glasses make myopia worse? No. Wearing the correct prescription does not make myopia progress faster. Leaving a child under-corrected does not help and may make things worse. ### At what age does myopia stop getting worse? For most people it stabilises in the late teens or early twenties. The earlier it starts, the longer it has to progress, which is why early detection matters. ## About See Better See Better is a mobile optometry practice in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualified, HPCSA-registered optometrist travels to the client's home, workplace, school or event, so there is no practice to visit. - Areas served: Johannesburg, Pretoria (Tshwane), Ekurhuleni (East Rand), the West Rand and the Vaal. - Eye test at home: R450 (cash price). - Eye test + frame + single vision lenses + tint: R1199 (cash price). - Eye test + frame + bifocal lenses + tint: R1699 (cash price). - Eye test + frame + multifocal lenses + tint: R2099 (cash price). - All glasses carry a 1-year warranty. - We are registered with most medical aids and charge at medical aid tariffs. - Book on WhatsApp: +27 66 181 8667 (https://wa.me/27661818667) - Email: info@seebetter.co.za - Website: https://seebetter.co.za/