Myopia is on the rise, but there are solutions to slow its progression starting with early detection

BURNABY, BC, Oct. 1, 2026 /CNW/ -- More Canadian parents are paying closer attention to their children's vision, and for good reason. Myopia, or nearsightedness, now affects an estimated 30% of the population. It's also increasingly common in young children.

The Generational Change in Childhood Vision

Annual eye exams in childhood matter more than ever as myopia continues to shift younger, affecting children as young as six or seven and progressing more rapidly than previous generations.

Managing myopia is a team effort. Together with eyecare professionals, parents can take proactive steps to help slow the progression of myopia and support their child's long-term vision development.

What We're Seeing at Specsavers

• At Specsavers, myopia management treatments have tripled in the past 18 months.*
• Each month, Specsavers sees approximately 1,800 children across Canada presenting with myopia.*

"While we are seeing growing instances of myopia amongst children and the general population, the good news is that we are now able to slow its progression more effectively than ever before," said Naomi Barber, Clinical Services Director at Specsavers Canada. "There are signs to look out for, but they aren't always noticeable for parents or kids. That's why regular comprehensive eye exams are so important for early detection. The sooner we can identify myopia, the sooner we can work together on a management solution to support a child's long-terms vision growth."

What Parents Should Watch For

• Sitting closer to screens, holding books or tablets close to the face
• Squinting to see things at a distance
• Difficulty seeing the board at school

Myopia isn't always obvious as children often don't realize their vision is different or changing, which is why regular eye exams are so important.

When to Book an Eye Exam

Don't wait for vision problems to become obvious or for a child to ask for glasses. Schedule comprehensive eye exams yearly for school-aged children, or sooner if you notice any of the signs above.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends school-aged children have a comprehensive eye exam every year until age 19.

About Myopia Management

Myopia management can help slow progression of the condition in childhood, supporting healthy vision development. Independent optometrists operating within Specsavers locations can discuss options that best fit your child's needs. This Children's Vision Month there's growing focus on children's eye health and myopia in Canada. Specsavers is helping families understand what's happening and explore proactive solutions.

"We're committed to supporting children's vision by helping slow the progression of myopia. Cost should not be a barrier to care. That's why we've taken measures to ensure there are affordable myopia management solutions for parents and children," says Naomi Barber. "We're confident that we can provide parents with a broad range of myopia management solutions, helping more families find an option that works for their child and their budget."

Next Steps for Parents

• Book a comprehensive eye exam with an independent optometrist at their local Specsavers location
• Learn more about myopia management at Specsavers.ca/Myopia.

About Specsavers

Specsavers is an optometrist-owned business that entered the Canadian market in late 2021. Since then, 278 locations have opened across nine provinces and one territory. As part of Specsavers' commitment to accessible eyecare, every Specsavers location is equipped with optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology, which can help independent optometrists detect sight-threatening conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease in their earliest stages.

Founded in the UK over 40 years ago by optometrist husband-and-wife team Doug and Mary Perkins, there are now more than 2,700 Specsavers healthcare businesses globally, serving over 44 million patients and customers. Specsavers is driven by its purpose of "changing lives through better sight" and aims to transform the way Canadians experience eyecare by offering exceptional service, advanced clinical equipment and quality eyewear.

For more information, please visit Specsavers.ca.

^*Estimated figure based on the number of children seen by Specsavers across Canada and an industry-standard assumption that myopia affects 30% of the population.

SOURCE Specsavers Canada