Common Eye Conditions in Children: A Statistical Report

Most children experience eye conditions that can impact their visual acuity and quality of life. The prevalence of these conditions has been significantly affected by various lifestyle changes, such as increased screen time and less time outdoors.

This article aims to discuss the prevalence of different eye conditions among children. We’ll also take a look at the importance of early detection and what you can do to improve your child’s eyesight.

Prevalence of Refractive Errors in Children

Refractive errors, including myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), are among the most common vision disorders in children. The prevalence rate varies by age and ethnicity.

Myopia Prevalence by Age

• A study conducted in Kazakhstan and India showed the prevalence of myopia among different ages.
• There was a notable increase among 1st and 9th graders.

Refractive Error Prevalence by Ethnicity

The prevalence of refractive errors also varies among different ethnic groups.

• Asian children have a higher rate of myopia.
• White children have a higher rate of hyperopia. 

Here are the statistics regarding refractive errors among different ethnic groups:

Prevalence of Amblyopia and Strabismus Among Children

• Early screening has been shown to reduce the prevalence of amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes).
• Without screening, the prevalence of amblyopia among children between 6 months and 6 years old is 1 to 2%
• The prevalence of strabismus among children younger than 6 is between 1% and 6%. Without treatment, both of these conditions can lead to permanent vision loss. 

Changes in Prevalence Rates of Common Vision Disorders

The prevalence rates of common vision disorders among children have shown significant changes over time, particularly for myopia.

• In 2015, myopia saw a notable increase in prevalence, especially in East Asia.
• Factors like reduced time outdoors, excessive reading, screen time, and other near-work activities all contribute to the rise of vision disorders.

Here’s a quick look at the prevalence of myopia by region:

Prevalence Rate of Amblyopia and Strabismus

It should be noted that hyperopia and amblyopia rates have remained relatively stable. However, strabismus prevalence varies widely depending on genetic and environmental factors.

• The global prevalence of amblyopia in children is around 1.36%. 
• The Prevalence of amblyopia can vary across different regions, with 0.51% in Africa and 3.67% in Europe.
• The global prevalence of strabismus among children ranges from 0.14% to 5.65%. 

Importance of Early Screening

Studies suggest that early vision screening is associated with a reduced prevalence of amblyopia.

• A systematic review found that screening could reduce the prevalence of amblyopia by 0.9% to 1.6%, which is a relative reduction of 45% to 62%.
• Strabismus can increase the risk of vision-related issues if not detected or treated.

Detecting it early can also reduce the likelihood of developing amblyopia. Early interventions are crucial for preventing long-term vision problems such as permanent vision loss.

Factors that Affect Children’s Vision Health

Various environmental and lifestyle factors can affect a child’s eye health.

• Children who use screens for more than three hours a day are four times more likely to develop myopia.
• Exposure to screens before bedtime can also disrupt sleep patterns.
• Because of frequent screen exposure, children can experience symptoms of digital eye strain, such as dry eyes, headaches, itchy eyes, and blurry vision.
• Digital eye strain can get worse from reduced blinking when focusing on screens.

Studies indicate that each additional hour spent outdoors per day can significantly reduce the risk of myopia progression. The exposure to natural light and the opportunity to focus on distant objects help relax the eye muscles and prevent the elongation of the eyeball.

How to Maintain Eye Health

It is recommended that children have no more than two hours of recreational screen time per day, excluding school-related activities. Encourage regular breaks and proper posture to reduce eye strain and other physical discomforts associated with prolonged screen use.

Aim for at least 60 to 80 minutes of outdoor play each day to promote eye health and overall well-being. Schools and parents should incorporate more outdoor activities into daily routines to counterbalance the effects of increased screen time.

Encourage the 20-20-20 rule (taking a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes) to alleviate digital eye strain symptoms.