Vision conditions
Paediatric Myopia
Myopia (nearsightedness) in children can progress as they grow, affecting their ability to see clearly at distance. Regular eye examinations are essential to monitor eye health and determine if treatment options are suitable for your child’s needs. Arrange an evaluation today to learn how we can help manage myopia and support your child’s vision development.
- 10%
By Primary 1
- >60%
By Primary 6
Why children's distance vision blurs
What You Need to Know About Paediatric Myopia
In paediatric myopia, the eyeball elongates faster than normal during growth spurts, causing light to focus in front of the retina. This makes distance vision (blackboard, sports) blurry while near vision stays clear. Progression is fastest between ages 6-12 when eyes grow rapidly.
Primary 6 children — 65%
By Primary 6, about 65% of children in Singapore are myopic, one of the highest childhood rates globally.
Young adults — 83%
Around 83% of young adults in Singapore are short-sighted, and up to 1 in 5 already have high myopia.
School vision challenges
When to consider an eye evaluation
Recognizing the Symptoms of Paediatric Myopia
- Sitting close to TV or needing front row seats
- Squinting or closing one eye to focus
- Complaints of headaches or eye tiredness
- Poor performance copying from board
Children may not complain about vision changes. Watch for:
Does this sound like your child? Book an assessment today.
Managing childhood myopia effectively
Slowing myopia progression
The goal is to slow eye elongation and maintain clear vision. After detailed measurements, your ophthalmologist may recommend:
Clarifying Your Concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that vision-related conditions can be potentially overwhelming. Here are honest, transparent answers to the questions we hear most often from our patients.
Paediatric myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition where children can see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. It occurs when the eye grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
Symptoms may include difficulty seeing the board at school, squinting, sitting too close to the TV, or complaining of eye strain and headaches. If your child experiences any of these, it’s important to schedule an eye exam.
Treatment options focus on slowing the progression of myopia and ensuring clear vision. Your ophthalmologist may recommend updated glasses prescriptions, myopia control lenses or contact lenses, and in some cases, low-dose atropine eye drops.
Myopia control lenses, either in spectacles or contact lenses, are specially designed to slow the progression of myopia in children by controlling the way light enters the eye.
Low-dose atropine eye drops have been shown to effectively slow myopia progression in children. Your ophthalmologist will assess whether they are a suitable treatment option based on your child’s needs.
Regular monitoring every 6 months is recommended during your child’s growth phase to track changes in vision and adjust treatment as needed.
Currently, Medisave cannot be used for myopia treatment in children as it is not classified as a subsidised procedure. However, your healthcare provider can offer more information on available options and payment plans.