27 Apr Myopia in Children in the UAE: Why It’s Rising and How to Slow It Down

Across schools in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh, a quiet epidemic is unfolding. Children as young as six are being fitted with prescription glasses for short-sightedness — and the numbers are accelerating. Myopia, the clinical term for short-sightedness, has become one of the most prevalent childhood eye conditions in the UAE, mirroring a global trend that experts now describe as an epidemic.

For parents, understanding why myopia develops, why it matters, and what can be done about it is more important than ever. This guide explains the facts — and what PRIVO’s lens solutions can offer your child.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia is a refractive vision problem in which the eye grows slightly too long from front to back. This causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it, making distant objects appear blurry while near objects remain clear.

In children, myopia is not simply an inconvenience — it is a progressive condition. Without intervention, the eye can continue elongating through childhood and adolescence, meaning prescriptions increase year on year. More importantly, higher degrees of myopia significantly raise the risk of serious vision complications in adulthood.

How Widespread Is Childhood Myopia in the UAE?

Globally, the World Health Organization projects that half the world’s population will be myopic by 2050. The Middle East and East Asia are experiencing the steepest rise. Studies conducted in UAE school populations have reported myopia prevalence rates ranging from 15% to over 30%, depending on age group, with rates climbing sharply among children aged 10–16.

Several UAE-based ophthalmology studies have flagged that progression rates among children in the region are accelerating, partly driven by lifestyle patterns unique to the Gulf environment.

Why Is Myopia Rising So Fast in UAE Children?

The increase is not coincidental. A combination of environmental, behavioural, and genetic factors specific to the Gulf context is driving the trend.

1. Reduced Time Outdoors

This is arguably the most significant factor. Research consistently shows that children who spend more time outdoors have lower rates of myopia progression. Natural light stimulates the release of dopamine in the retina, which helps regulate healthy eye growth.

In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, extreme heat — particularly from May through September — limits outdoor activity significantly. Children spend far more hours indoors than their peers in temperate climates, reducing exposure to the protective benefits of natural light.

2. Near Work and Screen Time

Extended periods of near-focus activity — reading, studying, and especially screen use — are strongly associated with myopia development. With tablets and smartphones now central to both education and entertainment, children’s eyes are spending unprecedented hours in close-focus mode.

UAE children have some of the highest rates of device usage among school-age populations globally, with many spending 6–8+ hours daily on screens across school and leisure activities.

3. Genetic Predisposition

If one parent is myopic, a child’s risk of developing myopia roughly doubles. If both parents are myopic, the risk increases substantially further. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have large South and East Asian expatriate communities — populations that carry genetically higher susceptibilities to myopia.

4. Intensive Academic Pressure

Research links early and intensive academic study — particularly reading before the age of five — with higher myopia rates. The emphasis on early academic achievement in Gulf educational systems may be a contributing factor.

Why Untreated Myopia Is a Serious Risk

Many parents view myopia as simply meaning their child needs glasses. But high myopia (prescriptions of -6.00 dioptres or more) is associated with significantly elevated risks of sight-threatening conditions later in life:

• Retinal detachment — the risk is 7–10 times higher in highly myopic eyes
• Glaucoma — myopic eyes are more susceptible to optic nerve damage
• Myopic macular degeneration — deterioration of central vision in adulthood
• Cataracts — develop earlier in highly myopic individuals

This is why understanding the risks of not treating myopia early is critical for every parent in the Gulf region.

How to Slow Myopia Progression in Children

Myopia cannot yet be reversed, but its progression can be meaningfully slowed — and slowing progression reduces the ultimate prescription level and long-term health risks. Here are the evidence-based strategies:

Increase Outdoor Time

Even in the Gulf’s climate, there are opportunities for outdoor activity — early mornings, evenings, and cooler months from October to March. Aim for at least 90 minutes of outdoor time daily when weather permits. Indoor exposure to natural light through windows does not carry the same protective effect.

Follow the 20-20-20 Rule

For every 20 minutes of near-focus work or screen time, encourage your child to look at something at least 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds. This simple habit helps reduce eye strain and may slow accommodation-related myopia progression.

Myopia Management Lenses

Specialised optical lenses designed for myopia management are one of the most accessible and effective interventions available today. Unlike standard single vision lenses that simply correct vision, myopia management lenses are designed to reduce the stimulus for further eye growth.

PRIVO MyoFit lens solutions for correcting vision in children and young adults are manufactured with precision to ensure accurate correction as part of a broader myopia management approach recommended by your child’s eye care professional.

Regular Eye Examinations

Early detection is essential. Children should receive their first comprehensive eye exam before starting school, and annually thereafter if myopia has been diagnosed. Regular eye exams allow prescriptions to be updated promptly and progression to be monitored carefully.

Limit Prolonged Near Work

Where possible, encourage breaks between homework sessions, avoid reading in dim lighting, and ensure devices are held at a healthy distance (at least 30–40 cm for smartphones).

Warning Signs of Myopia in Children

Children are often unaware that their vision is deteriorating because they adapt gradually. Watch for these signs:

• Squinting to see the board at school or the television
• Sitting unusually close to screens
• Frequent headaches, especially after school
• Rubbing eyes or complaining of tired eyes
• Losing interest in sports or outdoor activities that require distance vision
• Teachers reporting difficulty seeing the board

What Parents in the UAE and Saudi Arabia Can Do Today

The myopia epidemic is real, it is accelerating, and it is particularly acute in the Gulf region. But it is not inevitable, and it is manageable. The combination of increased outdoor time, reduced near-work intensity, and the right optical lenses — monitored through regular eye care — can make a meaningful difference to your child’s long-term vision health.

PRIVO manufactures MyoFit optical lenses in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan, with a deep understanding of the regional environment and the needs of local families. If your child has been diagnosed with myopia, speak to your optician about the available lens options and request lenses manufactured to the highest standards for your region.