Childhood Myopia

There is no cure for myopia but you can adopt the following measures to help prevent myopia or slow its progression in your child:

• Start young. Ensure your child learns good eye care habits from early childhood.


• Encourage outdoor sports daily e.g. cycling, rollerblading, badminton, basketball, etc. Playing outdoors can help your child focus his/her eyes on a wide range of objects that are both far and near.

Illustration: Children who spend plenty of time outdoors are less likely to be myopic


• Do not stay indoors in the classroom to read books during school recess time. Go outdoors to the playground to play.


• Avoid or minimise the exposure of young children to handheld devices, computer games or TV. These activities increase the risk of myopia, can quickly become addictive, reduce attention span, affect learning and creativity, and may lead to behavioural issues.


• Switch to audio books for the avid readers. Listening and even making audio books improve listening skills, pronunciation and expression.


• Take frequent eye breaks from near work or computer screen and look out the window into the far distance every 30 minutes. This breaks any accommodative (focusing for near vision) spasm and helps relax the eyes.


• Read with good or natural lighting.


• Maintain a good reading or working distance of around 30cm from the book.


• Do not lie down to read or read in moving vehicles.


• Watching TV from at least three metres away.


• Plan a daily home schedule or timetable for your child so that there is time (1-2 hours) allocated for outdoor activities.


• Spend time exploring and discovering the wonders of nature, e.g. bird-watching, picnic by the seaside, nature walks, etc.