If your child is squinting at the whiteboard, sitting closer to the TV, or holding books right up to their face, it's natural to wonder whether something's wrong with their eyesight — and whether it's serious. The good news is that myopia, or short-sightedness, is one of the most common and best-understood childhood eye conditions, and catching it early makes a real difference to how it's managed. Here's what to look out for, what causes it, and how it's treated.
What is Myopia, or Short-Sightedness?
Myopia, more commonly known as short-sightedness, happens when the eye grows very slightly too long, so light focuses just in front of the retina instead of directly on it. The result is blurry distance vision — the whiteboard, the TV, road signs — while close-up vision, like reading, usually stays clear. It's different from conditions like a lazy eye, which affects how the eye and brain work together rather than how the eye is shaped, so it's worth having any concerns properly assessed rather than assumed.
It's also increasingly common. According to the College of Optometrists' evidence review, the proportion of UK children aged 10 to 16 who are short-sighted has more than doubled over the past fifty years, and children are becoming short-sighted at a younger age. Globally, it's predicted that half the world's population could be affected by 2050.
Signs Your Child May Be Short-Sighted
Children rarely announce that their eyesight has changed, mostly because they have nothing to compare it to — if the world has always looked a certain way to them, they assume it looks that way to everyone. It's usually parents or teachers who notice first. Common signs include:
- Sitting very close to the TV, or holding books and tablets close to their face
- Squinting or frowning to bring distant objects into focus
- Complaining of headaches or tired eyes, particularly after school
- Struggling to see the whiteboard, or copying work more slowly than classmates
- Rubbing their eyes often, or tilting their head to focus
It's also worth knowing that, per the British & Irish Orthoptic Society, routine childhood vision screening in the UK is typically only offered once, around age four or five. Short-sightedness that develops afterward can easily go unnoticed without a proper eye test.
What Causes Myopia?
Genetic Factors
Short-sightedness tends to run in families — the College of Optometrists notes that children with short-sighted parents are more likely to become short-sighted themselves. If you or your partner are short-sighted, it's worth mentioning at your child's appointment, as it's a genuine factor in how closely their eyes should be monitored.
Environmental & Lifestyle Factors
Extended close-up work has been linked in research to a higher risk of myopia getting worse, particularly when reading or screen distance is closer than around 30cm. The College of Optometrists' own guidance recommends the 20-20-20 rule for screen use — every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away — alongside encouraging regular time outdoors.
Does Screen Time Cause Myopia?
It's a common worry, and a fair one — but the honest answer isn't as simple as “screens cause myopia.” The College of Optometrists is candid that there isn't strong evidence screens themselves are to blame, though close-up work in general — not just screens — may still play a part. In practice, that means the same guidance applies: balance close-up time with regular breaks and time outdoors, rather than needing to cut screens out altogether.
Why Early Detection is Important
Left unmanaged, myopia tends to progress more quickly in younger children, meaning prescriptions can change significantly year to year. The College of Optometrists notes that higher levels of short-sightedness are linked to a greater risk of other eye conditions later in life, including retinal problems, cataracts, and glaucoma — which is why slowing its progression early, not just correcting it as it changes, matters.
At Tunnells, we use OCT scanning as part of our eye examinations, giving us a detailed view of eye health that goes beyond a standard sight test and helps track subtle changes over time. As a general guide, children should have their eyes tested every year to two years, or more frequently if myopia has already been diagnosed.
How to Treat Myopia: Short-Sightedness Control Options at Tunnells
Specialist Myopia Control Lenses
Certain specialist lenses are designed to do something a normal pair of glasses can't: help slow down how quickly your child's short-sightedness gets worse, rather than just correcting their vision as it changes each year. At Tunnells, we get to know each child individually before recommending which type suits them best, based on their prescription, age, and day-to-day life. And the research genuinely backs this up — according to the College of Optometrists, children wearing specialist myopia control lenses typically see their short-sightedness worsen 40% to 60% more slowly than children in standard lenses, over a one to three year period.
Myopia Control Contact Lenses
For some children — especially older kids with an active lifestyle — specialist contact lenses work just as well, sometimes better, than glasses. We'll talk you and your child through whether glasses or contact lenses make more sense, based on their age, prescription, and how they spend their day.
Outdoor Time & Lifestyle Support
Alongside any lenses we recommend, we also talk to families about simple everyday habits — time outdoors, screen breaks, keeping a sensible reading distance — because looking after your child's eyes isn't a one-off appointment, it's an ongoing thing. We get to know each family individually rather than handing out the same advice to everyone: it's the kind of personal care that's been part of how Tunnells has looked after Worcester families since 1974.
Booking Your Child's Myopia Eye Test in Worcester
A myopia assessment at Tunnells includes a comprehensive eye examination alongside OCT scanning, giving us a clear picture of your child's eye health and how it's changing over time — not just a same-day prescription. If you've noticed any of the signs above, or short-sightedness runs in your family, it's worth booking an assessment regardless of your child's age.
As an independent, family-run practice serving Worcester since 1974, we're able to take the time each child needs, and you'll see a familiar face at every visit. Book online or call our Worcester practice to arrange your child's eye test.
