More children need glasses for distance than ever before. Learn the signs of myopia (short-sightedness), why screen time and less outdoor play matter, and how parents in Haripur can help slow it.
Around the world, more and more children are becoming short-sighted (myopic), and Pakistan is no exception. Many parents in Haripur tell us their child “suddenly” cannot read the board or sits very close to the TV. This guide explains myopia in children: the signs, the causes, and practical steps to slow it down.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia means near objects are clear but distant objects look blurry. It happens when the eyeball grows slightly too long, so light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it. It is corrected with a minus (–) power in glasses or contact lenses.
Signs Your Child May Be Short-Sighted
- Squinting or narrowing the eyes to see far
- Sitting close to the TV or holding the phone very close
- Copying mistakes from the board, or asking classmates for notes
- Rubbing eyes, headaches after school
- Losing interest in sports that need distance vision
- Falling marks without a clear reason
Children rarely complain; they assume everyone sees the way they do. That is why routine checks matter. Read our parent’s guide to children’s eye check-ups.
Why Is Myopia Increasing?
Research points to two main factors besides genetics:
- Too much near work: long hours on phones, tablets, homework and tuition with little break.
- Too little time outdoors: daylight and looking far into the distance appear to protect against myopia developing.
If one or both parents wear glasses for distance, the child has a higher chance of becoming myopic too.
How to Slow Myopia: What Parents Can Do
- Outdoor time: aim for around two hours a day of outdoor activity in daylight. Playing cricket, walking or simply being outside counts.
- The 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes of near work, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Screen limits: keep recreational screen time short for younger children and avoid screens in the dark.
- Good reading distance: about the length from elbow to knuckles; no reading lying down.
- Good light for homework.
- Yearly eye exams, or as advised, to track any increase in power.
Glasses for Short-Sighted Children
Wearing the correct glasses does not make eyes “weaker” or make myopia worse. Under-correcting can actually make children strain. For kids we recommend:
- Polycarbonate lenses: lighter and impact resistant
- Flexible, sturdy frames with a good fit on the nose
- Anti-reflective coating for clarity in class
Some specialised myopia-control spectacle lenses and contact lenses are now available internationally; ask us whether these are suitable and available for your child. See our children’s eye care service.
When to Worry
A rapid increase in power each year, very high myopia, or symptoms such as flashes of light, a shower of floaters or a curtain over the vision need prompt attention, as high myopia carries a higher risk of retinal problems later in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child grow out of myopia?
Usually not. Myopia tends to increase during the school years and stabilise in the late teens or early twenties.
Should my child wear glasses all the time?
Follow the optometrist’s advice. Many children with moderate myopia need them full time; some with mild myopia need them mainly for the board and TV.
At what age should the first eye test be done?
A check before starting school is ideal, then regularly during school years, or sooner if you notice any signs.
Visit Sardar Eye Clinic & Optics, Haripur
Railway Station Road, Central Jail Bazar, Haripur · Open 7 days, 10am – 8:30pm · Free eye camp every Sunday, 10am – 2pm
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Medically reviewed by
Optometrist at Sardar Eye Clinic & Optics, Railway Station Road, Haripur, BS Optometry (Khyber Medical University) and hospital training at HMC Peshawar and Abbottabad Medical Complex, experienced in eye examinations, glasses and contact-lens prescriptions, and children’s eye care. This article is for general information — book an eye test for advice about your own eyes.
