Key Takeaways

  • Early and regular eye screenings—starting around age 3—are critical for detecting and managing childhood myopia before it progresses
  • Increased outdoor activity and reduced prolonged near work (like screen time) are effective lifestyle measures to help prevent or slow myopia development
  • Evidence-based treatments such as specialized lenses and low-dose atropine are recommended, while newer therapies require more long-term safety data before widespread use

A new international study has called for earlier eye screening and lifestyle changes in children to combat the growing global rise in myopia, or short-sightedness.1

The research, published this week in Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, brings together expert consensus from pediatric ophthalmologists and outlines a structured approach to managing childhood myopia.

The study used a structured, multi-round expert consultation process involving 37 ophthalmologists in Italy to establish standardized recommendations across prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Among the key findings:

  • Eye screening should begin as early as age three
  • Children should be monitored regularly, with check-ups recommended every six months
  • Outdoor activity should be actively encouraged as a preventive measure
  • Schools and governments should implement awareness campaigns and support programs

The study also provides clear clinical thresholds for when treatment should begin and highlights preferred strategies:

  • Use of specialized defocus spectacle lenses
  • Low-dose atropine eye drops as a treatment option
  • Routine measurement of eye growth to track progression

However, researchers caution against adopting newer therapies too quickly. One emerging approach—red-light therapy—was not recommended due to limited long-term safety evidence.

Beyond clinical care, the findings emphasize the need for system-level changes, including dedicated pediatric eye care services, financial support for families, and integration of vision care into public health policy

Although once concentrated in East Asia, childhood myopia is now rising across Europe and other regions, increasing the urgency for coordinated global action. Researchers say the new consensus provides a roadmap for tackling one of the fastest-growing vision problems in children, stressing that early intervention and lifestyle changes could significantly reduce long-term vision loss.

Reference

1. Schiavetti, I., Villani, E., Serafino, M. et al. Italian consensus on pediatric myopia: findings from a three-round modified delphi study. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-026-07246-9.