Covid-19 has really affected so many aspects of our lives. With all that isolation inside, and the remote learning with digital screens, parents worry about their kids’ health. Many worry this will do great havoc to their eyesight, and they are not wrong.

Research has shown that confinement to home due to covid-19 is associated with an increase in myopia. Scientists have been monitoring the refractive error of 123 535 Chinese children since 2015. While the refractive error was showing a pretty steady trend in kids 6 to 8 years of age from 2015 to 2019, there was a sharp and dramatic change toward myopia in 2020 (Figure 1). Many Chinese children already don’t get enough outdoor activities and spend way too much time studying, and the covid-19 put extra strain in terms of even further decrease of outdoor time and increase of screen time.

Figure 1. Young children show a dramatic increase in myopia in 2020 compared to previous years [1]. Figure from reference [1]

I only hope that with universal vaccination and a good hygiene habit that we have formed during the past year, children will be able to be back to school and enjoy normal outside activities soon. If you think you child may have trouble seeing, please bring them to an eye doctor.

[1] Wang J, Li Y, Musch DC, et al. Progression of Myopia in School-Aged Children After COVID-19 Home Confinement. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2021;139(3):293–300. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.6239