10 October 2024 was World Sight Day and our researchers highlighted the escalating myopia (short-sightedness) epidemic and its potential long-term consequences, including blindness. While myopia may seem like a minor inconvenience for most people—requiring glasses or contact lenses to see clearly—there is growing evidence that, for some, it could lead to more severe eye conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration.
The growing myopia epidemic: What’s behind it?
Global rates of myopia are rising rapidly. In China, over 90 per cent of university students are affected, and in Australia, approximately 6 million people (more than 20 per cent of the population) live with myopia. If current trends continue, that number could rise to 50 per cent by 2050. What’s driving this surge in myopia, and how can we reduce the risk, particularly for our children?
According to Lions Eye Institute researchers, Professor David Mackey AO and Dr. Samantha Lee, it’s a complex mix of environmental and genetic factors. While genetics plays a role in some cases, environmental factors like the lack of outdoor time, excessive near work, and increased educational pressures are significant contributors.
Screen time versus outdoor time: What matters for eye health?
In a recent study, Professor Mackey and his team looked at the effects of screen time and other habits on myopia development. The findings showed that spending time on small screens, like phones, did not seem to have a major impact on myopia. Watching TV didn’t either. However, activities like reading books and working on large computer screens were linked to higher rates of myopia, particularly when these activities were coupled with limited outdoor exposure.

Angus (who has early onset myopia) at the crease playing cricket with his family.
The key to prevention: Time spent outdoors
The Lions Eye Institute recommends increasing outdoor time for children is a powerful way to slow the progression of myopia. Research shows that children who spend more time outdoors—aiming for at least two hours a day—are less likely to develop severe myopia. But in a country like Australia, where skin cancer rates are high, it’s essential to balance outdoor play with sun safety.
The best times to encourage outdoor activities are early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the UV index is below 3 across most of Australia.
Myopia and the risk of blindness
For most people, myopia is a manageable condition that can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. However, for those with severe myopia, the risks are far more serious. These individuals are at higher risk of developing complications such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration—conditions that can lead to permanent vision loss.
That’s why early intervention is critical. The Lions Eye Institute is investigating eye growth and genetic factors in children to develop population-based tools for predicting which children need early intervention. By measuring children’s axial length (the length of the eye from front to back), the team hopes to identify children at risk of severe myopia before it progresses to more harmful stages.
A simple test could make a big difference
The Lions Eye Institute team is calling on ophthalmologists and optometrists who work with children to use a simple test: measuring axial length. “Similar to height and weight measurements taken during childhood, we propose routinely measuring children’s axial length, namely, the length of each eye, from the front of the cornea to the back of the eye. We need to identify children with severe myopia earlier in life so we can intervene and avoid a lifetime of challenging eye disease leading to blindness,” said Professor David Mackey AO.” Some children will just have longer eyes, but if the axial length increases faster over time, that’s a good predictor of future myopia,” he said.
This test could become a routine part of preschool health checks, helping us identify those most at risk and start early intervention.
By implementing this measure, the Lions Eye Institute hopes to not only reduce the prevalence of myopia but also prevent future cases of blindness due to myopia-related complications.
A call to action
With the global myopia epidemic worsening, the Lions Eye Institute is calling on parents, schools, and health professionals to act. For families, the message is simple: encourage children to spend more time outdoors, particularly during the hours when the UV index is low, to reduce their risk of myopia. For healthcare professionals, the institute is urging the adoption of axial length measurements as a routine screening tool for preschool children.
Together, we can help protect future generations from the harmful effects of myopia.