Ophthalmologists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) note an annual trend: after the summer holidays, they are approached by children complaining of blurred distance vision, headaches, and eye strain. Specialists warn that children who previously started suffering from myopia late in primary school are now showing symptoms much earlier, raising concerns about long-term vision impact.
This trend coincides with the growing prevalence of screen use among the youngest children. From toddlers watching videos on tablets to schoolchildren spending hours on smartphones and gaming devices—specialists caution that excessive near work combined with limited time outdoors can accelerate the development of myopia.
These concerns are supported by global research. A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology in 2024 showed that the prevalence of childhood myopia increased from approximately 24 percent in the 1990s to 36 percent between 2020 and 2023. Researchers predict that nearly 740 million children and adolescents worldwide may suffer from this condition by 2050.
Dr. Alaa Khalil Arrat, an ophthalmologist at Burjeel Medical Center, Al Shamkha, stated that the surge in childhood myopia has evolved from a routine clinical issue into a broader public health concern. While genetics remains a significant risk factor, she said it cannot fully explain the rate of increase. She emphasized: 'The way children spend their time has changed.'
Studies conducted up to the end of 2024 found that every additional hour of daily screen time is associated with a 21 percent increased likelihood of developing myopia. However, medics insist that screens do not act in isolation. Dr. Arrat added: 'Screens do not operate in isolation. They displace something much more protective—time spent outdoors.' She noted that COVID-19 lockdowns highlighted the link between reduced outdoor activity and the rise in childhood myopia cases.
The age at which children begin to develop this condition has also changed. Dr. Arrat reported that 'Nearly thirty years ago, myopia usually manifested between the ages of eight and ten. Today, I regularly see children at five or six, and sometimes younger.'
She added that children under ten are particularly vulnerable because their visual systems are still developing. Earlier onset means more years of progression, increasing the risk of serious vision problems in the future. For families in the UAE, the situation is complicated by the climate. Dr. Arrat explained: 'Due to the temperature in the UAE, which hinders outdoor activity for several months of the year, children remain indoors, and indoors means screens.'
Dr. Zayed Muhammad Saad, an ophthalmologist at Dubai International Modern Hospital, noted that childhood myopia is no longer limited to older students. He stated that global studies demonstrate a clear rise in myopia among children, linking it to a combination of genetics, prolonged near work, increased screen use, and reduced time outdoors.
In clinical practice, he sees more children under 10 reporting symptoms such as headaches, eye strain, frequent blinking, and difficulty reading the board in class. Parents often notice their child sitting unusually close to the television or holding devices close to their face. Dr. Saad noted that the age of onset has shifted earlier in recent years, especially after the pandemic, which he attributes to increased indoor learning and screen-based habits.
Instead of completely abandoning screens, Dr. Saad urged parents to focus on balance. He recommended spending one to two hours outdoors daily, limiting passive screen use for toddlers where possible, encouraging regular vision breaks, and scheduling routine eye exams.
Dr. Vaibhav Sharma, an ophthalmologist at Aster Clinic, Burjeel Dubai, supported this concern, noting that myopia is appearing earlier than ten years ago. He stated that the numbers cannot be ignored: 'Myopia is on track to affect half the world's population by 2050.'
Despite screens often receiving the main criticism, Dr. Sharma believes the real problem is what children miss out on while using them. He stressed: 'It is not the screen itself, but what children stop doing when they are in front of it—namely, going outside.' Advising parents concerned about protecting their children's vision, Dr. Sharma suggested a simple yet effective solution: 'The most effective thing parents can do is take their children outside—ideally, two hours a day,' adding that natural light remains the only intervention that consistently helps prevent the onset of myopia.
