Visual health experts urge eye exams for children to detect myopia

Health experts and optical organizations are emphasizing the necessity of regular eye examinations for children and adolescents, particularly at the start of the school year. Data from the Colegio de Ópticos-Optometristas de la Comunitat Valenciana (COOCV) indicates that 72.8% of children and adolescents in the Valencian Community have a diagnosed visual alteration. Specifically, 40.2% are myopic, 32.5% present astigmatism, and 9.6% have hyperopia.

Professionals warn that many children do not realize their vision is impaired because they have never experienced clear sight. Common warning signs include sitting too close to screens or the television, or struggling to see a blackboard. The COOCV noted that the average age for a child's first eye exam is 10 years old, which is significantly higher than the age recommended by specialists. Early detection is considered vital to managing the progression of myopia, which is estimated to affect over 740 million people globally by 2050.