Why Myopia Is Increasing in Children – Explained by Eye Experts in Thane, Mumbai

Myopia Is Increasing in Children
Look around at kids today and observe their patterns; chances are you will see them more indoors, glued to screens, spending very little time for outdoor play. With parents caught up in their busy schedules, giving a child a mobile phone becomes the simplest way to keep them distracted.  Eye experts in Thane, like Dr. C. M. Wavikar, are flagging this issue and warn that while this may seem harmless, it is quietly contributing to increased cases of myopia (nearsightedness) in children. To counter its effects, Dr. Wavikar explains that a simple daily habit of making sure your child gets enough exposure to natural morning sunlight (≥2 hours per day) can make a big difference. It helps regulate their sleep cycle, decreases the chances of developing myopia, and increases vitamin D levels, which support overall eye health. Continue reading to learn more.

Why is Myopia Increasing in Kids in India

As per experts in Thane, here are the possible reasons that can contribute to myopia (also known as nearsightedness) cases in Indian kids.
  • More Screen Time 

Long, continuous focusing on nearby glowing screens like mobiles, tablets, TVs, and computers means a child’s eyes may work harder. This can trigger the eyeball to grow longer, leading to myopia progression in children during their growth years.
  • Less Sunlight Exposure Due to Reduced Outdoor Play 

Nowadays, kids are spending less time outside, which means lower exposure to natural light. This can reduce dopamine release in the retina, which generally supports eye growth and safeguards against myopia.
  • Behavioral Changes (Online Schooling) Due to Pandemic

During and after COVID, children had long online classes and additional leisure screen time. This sharply increased near work and indoor time and could have contributed to new-onset and worsening myopia.
  • Long Study Hours Due to High Academic Pressure

Children today are in a more competitive environment than ever before, with multiple tuitions and homework keeping kids bent over books and devices for long hours. This has increased chronic eye strain, contributing to myopic eye changes.
  • Suboptimal Nutrition and Vitamin Imbalances

The farming practices have changed a lot with more addition of pesticides and chemicals for artificial growth and ripening of fruits and vegetables. This has lowered the levels of essential nutrients (like vitamins A and D and antioxidants), which may affect overall eye health, making it more vulnerable to environmental myopia triggers.
  • Studying in Dim or Improper Lighting

Some kids in India love studying in dim light, which makes their eyes work harder to see clearly. This can increase visual fatigue and potentially make pre-existing myopia more likely to progress or appear.
  • Family History

If one or both parents are myopic, the child’s eyes are genetically more likely to be affected as well. In addition, the modern lifestyle factors could make it show up earlier with quick progression.
  • Environmental Crowding With Congested Living Space

In small urban homes, kids may rarely look at distant targets indoors. This lack of distance viewing can decrease the stimulation for normal emmetropization (a biological development process used by the eye to lessen refractive error from birth through childhood). Plus, the polluted air and dry indoor environments can lead to eye discomfort, making the child blink less. All these may indirectly contribute to myopic eye growth.
  • No Use of Prescribed Glasses

If a child with early myopia does not use prescribed glasses or uses an outdated and incorrect power, it can lead to constant blurring. This can put more strain and can trigger the eye to elongate further.

How to Reduce Myopia in Teenagers

While there is no cure for nearsightedness, in most cases, eye experts in Thane, after accurate diagnosis, can suggest the following tips or methods to reduce its progression.
  1. Encouraging your kids to engage in more outdoor activities daily to slow eye elongation.
  2. Use recommended low-dose atropine eye drops for relaxing eye muscles.
  3. For short-sightedness in kids, doctors can recommend wearing orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses overnight to reshape the cornea and slow myopia progression.
  4. Teach your child to take regular breaks from near work by following the 20-20-20 rule.
  5. Limit their screen time and help them to keep devices at a proper distance.
  6. Encourage them to wear prescribed glasses or contact lenses to correct vision and lower eye strain.
  7. Maintain good posture, especially during near work.
  8. Get regular eye checkups from the best eye care for children with myopia in Thane, Mumbai, like Wavikar Eye Institute, to monitor and make adjustments in treatment.

Conclusion

Kids are often unaware of the importance of healthy eyes and focus more on fun activities, potentially harming their eyes. As parents, it’s your responsibility to teach them about eye care and watch for myopic eye symptoms such as squinting, close positioning for reading books and watching TV, eye rubbing, headaches, and eye strain. Small action today, like early visits to a child eye specialist in Thane, can help manage and slow myopia progression and effectively protect your child’s vision tomorrow. Looking for eye care for children with myopia in Thane, Mumbai?  Contact Wavikar Eye Institute, known for preventive, comprehensive, and noninvasive eye care. Our Impact in Numbers
  • 80,403+ Delighted Patients
  • 42,555+ Successful Surgeries
Contact us at:
  • 400080,
  • 09355529217

FAQs

Can screen time cause myopia?

Yes, as per the studies, myopia risk increased greatly from 1 to 4 hours of screen time and then rose more gradually thereafter.

What is the 20 20 rule for myopia?

The 20-20-20 rule for eye health means every 20 minutes of near work, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This helps decrease eye strain and slow the progression of myopia.

Which fruit is a miracle for eyesight?

There is no fruit that is known as a miracle for eyesight. Eye health demands a balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E, combined with minerals like zinc. For example, carrots are high in vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy vision and avoiding eye problems like myopia in children.