Rising Rates of Myopia in Canadian Children
TORONTO — With childhood myopia (nearsightedness) on the rise across Canada, a new Specsavers Canada survey conducted by Angus Reid has revealed that 45% of school-aged children are not receiving annual eye exams, despite recommendations from the Canadian Association of Optometry.
While myopia has steadily increased worldwide — progressing faster than in previous generations — the survey found that 82% of Canadians remain unaware of the growing rates of nearsightedness among children.
The Importance of Early Detection
“We’re seeing a significant rise in the number of children being diagnosed with nearsightedness, more than ever before,” said Naomi Barber, Clinical Services Director at Specsavers Canada. “While lifestyle changes such as spending more time outdoors and limiting screen use can help slow the progression, there is more that can be done — and optometrists are at the frontline of this intervention.”
Barber emphasized that annual eye exams should be part of every child’s back-to-school routine, helping to diagnose and manage vision issues before they lead to long-term problems.
Solutions and Advanced Testing
For children diagnosed with myopia, specific types of glasses and contact lenses are available that can help slow the condition’s progression. Specsavers clinics also offer advanced imaging such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), a 3D scan that allows optometrists to detect eye health issues early.
In most provinces, children under provincial health care plans are covered for annual eye exams, making accessibility less of a barrier for families.
Supporting Children’s Futures
“So much of parenthood is about preparing our little ones for a bright future,” added Barber. “Whether they have their sights set on being explorers, athletes, artists, scientists or musicians, we want to make sure they’re ready to do so with confidence and clear vision.”
Parents interested in learning more about myopia management or scheduling an eye exam for their child can visit specsavers.ca/myopia.
About Specsavers
Specsavers entered the Canadian market in 2021 and now operates more than 158 locations across B.C., Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba. Each location is equipped with OCT technology and staffed by independent optometrists. Founded in the UK 40 years ago, Specsavers serves over 44 million patients and customers worldwide.
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