Is there more you can do for your child’s vision? Absolutely.
When your child is diagnosed with myopia (short‑sightedness), clinical treatments like myopia‑control glasses, contact lenses, orthokeratology or atropine drops do the heavy lifting.
But many parents want to know: “Is there anything else I can do at home?”
The answer is yes. Healthy habits and smart routines support better eye growth. Here’s a clear, science‑based guide you can start using today.
Spend Two Hours Outdoors, Every Day
Daylight helps regulate healthy eye growth in a way indoor lighting simply can’t. Sports, playground time, walking the dog—anything outside counts.
Screens & Reading
Keep screen time to a minimum, reading distance to a maximum and take regular breaks. More on this below
Good Sleep Routines
Kids who sleep well, regular bedtimes, no screens before bed tend to have healthier eye development.
Screens are part of modern life, but the goal is the minimum needed, especially when children are young.
Under 1 year: No screens
Ages 1–2: Minimal use.
Ages 3–5: Up to 1 hour/day.
Ages 6–12: 1–2 hours max of recreational screen time. No screens in the hour before bed.
Teens: Focus on balance—screens shouldn’t replace sleep, exercise, social time, or outdoor activity.
Tip: Encourage larger screens over small devices, don’t let kids read in the car, and keep devices out of bedrooms.
Near‑work habits matter! Two simple changes help protect young eyes:
Keep a Healthy Reading Distance
Avoid Ultra‑Close Reading
Distances closer than 20 cm and long, unbroken sessions place more strain on developing eyes.
Take Regular Breaks
After 30–40 minutes, take a 3–5 minute break—ideally by standing up, stretching, or looking into the distance.
No food can “cure” myopia, but a healthy, Low Sugar, Low-Fat diet supports the retina, circulation, and overall eye health.
Research shows that diets high in refined sugars and unhealthy fats are linked with poorer general health and may also be associated with higher rates of myopia. While the connection isn’t fully proven yet, encouraging balanced meals with:
…is a great start for any child’s long‑term health.
Omega‑3 (DHA/EPA):
Safe, helpful for general eye health, tear film and comfort and may play a role in slowing changes linked with myopia.
Vitamins B6, B9 & B12 (B-Complex):
Good for circulation; but not specific to myopia control.
Carotenoids (Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Meso-Zeaxanthin):
Interesting early research indicating potential benefits but not yet proven to slow myopia progression.
AREDS/AREDS2:
These supplements arising from the age-related eye disease studies are for adults with macular degeneration, not children.
You really can make a difference.
The most powerful tools are simple:
More daylight. Less close‑up time. Healthy sleep. Smart screens. Balanced diet.
Combined with regular check‑ups and clinically proven treatments, these habits help protect your child’s vision for the long term.
If you’d like tailored advice for your child, we’re here to help. Make an appointment with one of our Specialist Optometrists at ZACKS EYE CLINIC, LONDON
