Common Misconceptions About Myopia Prevention and Control

Data released by the National Health Commission shows that from 2020 to 2023, the overall myopia rate among children and adolescents across China hovered around 50%. This means that 1 out of every 2 individuals in this group is troubled by myopia.

A mother, Ms. Huang, expressed her concern: "Children nowadays are constantly either on their phones or using learning tablets. I’m really worried about her developing myopia, and also concerned that wearing myopia glasses will further affect her eyesight," Another mother, Fangfang, also noted, "I always have the feeling that once you start myopia glasses, the degree of myopia will keep getting worse."

Most parents find themselves in such a situation: they worry about their children’s visual habits, yet harbor misconceptions when it comes to myopia prevention and control.

Misconception 1: Wearing myopia glasses too early will worsen myopia

According to a public health message from Healthy China, if children with myopia do not wear glasses for an extended period, their blurred vision can place an increased accommodative burden on their eyes. This leads to continuous contraction of the ciliary muscle and heightened eye strain, which can, in fact, accelerate the progression of myopia. Typically, children with a myopia degree exceeding 100 diopters require glasses for refractive correction. Furthermore, suppose a child is sensitive to changes in their vision (e.g., frequent eye rubbing, complaining of blurred vision) or has already developed symptoms of eye strain. In that case, glasses should be prescribed regardless of the degree of myopia.

Jie Ying, Director of the Ophthalmology Department at Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, emphasizes that wearing properly prescribed glasses in a timely manner helps children see more clearly, relieves eye strain, and slows down the progression of myopia.

Misconception 2: Dilated Eye Exams Harm the Eyes

In the Myopia Prevention and Control Guidelines (2024 Edition), the National Health Commission points out that cycloplegic refraction, commonly known as a dilated eye exam, is the internationally recognized gold standard for diagnosing myopia.

It is recommended that cycloplegic refraction should be performed for:

• Children under 12 years old, especially those undergoing their first eye examination, or those diagnosed with hyperopia, strabismus/amblyopia, or significant astigmatism.

• Individuals found to have unstable accommodation during the eye exam, or abnormal corrected visual acuity that cannot be explained by other eye conditions.

Furthermore, the NHC clarifies in its "Ten Core Knowledge Points for Preventing and Controlling Myopia in Children and Adolescents" that cycloplegic drugs do not cause damage to healthy eyes. After using the medication, temporary symptoms such as photophobia and blurred near vision may occur, but these symptoms will return to normal after discontinuing the medication.

Misconception 3: Once Myopia Glasses Are Prescribed, They Are a "One-and-All Solution"

The National Health Commission states in the Myopia Prevention and Control Guidelines (2024 Edition) that frame glasses are the simplest and safest corrective device, and single-vision lenses are the most clinically common type of frame glasses.

For myopic children, re-examinations should be conducted at least every six months. While ordinary frame glasses can help children correct their vision, scientific eye usage is still essential to achieve the goal of preventing and controlling the progression of myopia.

Misconception 4: If the Eye Exam Shows No Myopia, Everything Is Fine

Parents should pay close attention to the "pre-myopic stage". According to the National Health Commission’s staging of public health-level prevention and control strategies, the pre-myopic stage refers to children who, after undergoing cycloplegic refraction, have not yet developed myopia but whose hyperopic reserve is below the lower limit of the normal range for their age—i.e., insufficient hyperopic reserve. These children are in a high-risk group for developing myopia.

Children in the pre-myopic stage can effectively reduce the risk of myopia development through comprehensive intervention measures, such as increasing the time spent on outdoor activities and reducing the burden of near-distance eye use.

Parents should prioritize establishing a development record for their children. It is recommended that children undergo a vision check every 3 months or 6 months.