21/05/2026
Myopia Awareness Week will run from the 23th of May to 6th of June. This year’s campaign theme, “Start Early, Protect Vision for Life!” is the call to action, focusing on early intervention and prevention by beginning regular eye exams early in life. Along with adopting regular eye exams, we are encouraging parents, educators, caregivers, and health professionals to support healthy lifestyle habits by engaging children in daily outdoor activity for a minimum of 2 hours per day.
The Importance of Early Action in Myopia
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is an increasingly common ocular disorder and the leading cause of visual impairment in children. Studies predict that the global prevalence of myopia will reach 50% of the world’s population, or five billion people in 2050.Uncorrected myopia is a leading cause of blindness and vision impairment worldwide.
While research shows that outdoor time is effective in preventing onset of myopia, there is a growing body of evidence and an expanding range of treatments are now available to manage myopia and slow its progression once it develops.
Spending time outdoors is vital for overall health whether myopic or not. And for children aged 6 and over, as well as adults without myopia, getting two to three of outdoor time each day will go a long way to prevent and delay onset. If myopia is already present, an eye care professional can provide effective management and a range of treatment options tailored to the needs of the child.
Early intervention can make a significant difference in children’s vision. Therefore, prioritising children’s vision by scheduling regular check-ups with an eye care professional can detect potential issues before they begin to affect the child’s development.
