Eye specialist highlights key signs of childhood myopia and early detection methods

Dr. Al-Jawhara Al-Damri, a consultant in ophthalmology and eye surgery at the First Health Cluster, has highlighted the increasing global concern over childhood myopia and the critical role of early detection. In an interview with Al-Ikhbariya radio, she emphasized that identifying myopia in children can be difficult, particularly in younger age groups, as they may not recognize or articulate the problem.

Al-Damri explained that signs of myopia vary with the child's age, noting that infants and toddlers may display weak visual responses to distant objects or in dim lighting, differences in visual development compared to siblings, frequent eye rubbing, and a tendency to hold objects or electronic devices close to their faces.

For preschoolers, one might observe squinting—partially closing their eyes to enhance clarity, frequent eye rubbing, sitting in close proximity to televisions, or holding electronic devices near their faces. Teachers may also notice that a child struggles more with seeing than their peers. Dr. Al-Damri clarified that older school-aged children, typically six years and older, may express discomfort seeing distant objects like the classroom board, prefer sitting at the front, suffer from headaches or squint, or parents and teachers may notice issues with distance vision.

To guide parents, Dr. Al-Damri offered several indicators to watch for, such as squinting, holding devices close to the face, leaning or sitting close to the television, and difficulty seeing at a distance or in low light conditions, all of which warrant an immediate eye examination. She underscored the importance of routine eye exams, especially for children with a family history of myopia, regardless of visible symptoms, due to a heightened risk of developing the condition.

Additionally, she urged parents to take teachers' and school staff's observations about a child's vision seriously, advocating for prompt action if a child expresses concerns about their vision, emphasizing the need for timely examinations and not delaying them.