Why Are So Many Kids Nearsighted Now And Why Should We Care?

As a pediatric ophthalmologist and a mom, one of the questions I get asked most often is why so many kids are nearsighted today. It’s not just a trend—rates of myopia have risen dramatically, and it’s about more than glasses. Early and fast-progressing nearsightedness increases the risk of serious eye conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. In this post, I break down why we’re seeing this rise, why it matters, and what parents can do to help protect their children’s long-term eye health.