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Today, IAPB, together with 13 civil society and industry organisations spanning healthcare, education, sports, technology, and outdoor sectors, releases a joint policy statement titled “Adapting to the Digital and Sedentary World: Addressing the Growing Crisis of Children’s Eye Health.” The coalition warns of a growing crisis in children’s eye health across Europe, driven by profound changes in lifestyle and digitalisation. With projections indicating that 50% of European school-leavers could be myopic by 2035, the group is calling for urgent and coordinated action to protect children’s vision and well-being.
An Increasingly Digitalising World Driving an Eye Health Crisis
The rise in screen time and near-work activities among children, coupled with declining outdoor time, is fueling an unprecedented surge in myopia rates. Studies show that prolonged exposure to screens at close distances strains developing eyes, while reduced time spent outdoors deprives children of protective exposure to natural light. Research indicates that just two hours of daily outdoor activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing myopia. Yet lifestyle changes driven by an increasingly screen-focused world are becoming entrenched across Europe, putting millions of children at risk.
The consequences are alarming. Myopia not only affects children’s ability to see clearly but also increases their risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. These conditions can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness, impacting quality of life and placing significant demands on healthcare systems as affected children grow older.
“Myopia poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing prevalence and associated complications. To tackle the growing crisis of children’s eye health, wholehearted commitment, policy change and targeted interventions are needed. At Sightsavers, our inclusive eye health and school health programmes have a dedicated focus on Myopia prevention and management, influencing social and health-seeking behaviours, evidence generation, and policy change. We prioritise these efforts because ensuring that children have access to timely and high-quality eye care is essential for the progress towards achieving Global Goals.”
Sumrana Yasmin,
Deputy Technical Director for Eye Health and URE at Sightsavers
Far-Reaching Impacts on Families and Society
Unchecked myopia has wide-ranging implications for children’s physical health, academic performance, emotional well-being, social relationships, and future career opportunities. Academically, children with uncorrected myopia often struggle to see clearly in classrooms, which can hinder learning and lead to feelings of frustration or isolation. Psychologically, they may experience anxiety or lower self-esteem compared to peers with normal vision. Socially, vision impairment can increase vulnerability to bullying and limit participation in activities that require good eyesight.
For families across Europe, managing paediatric myopia often comes with significant out-of-pocket expenses for glasses, contact lenses, or other treatments – costs that are rarely covered comprehensively by public health systems. For example, families in the Netherlands spend approximately €400 million annually on myopia management alone.
“At World Scouting, we are committed to the well-being and development of young people, ensuring they have every opportunity to grow, learn, and explore the world around them. However, modern lifestyles – marked by increased screen time, reduced outdoor activity, and limited access to eye care – are putting children’s eye health at serious risk. If we do not act now, the rising prevalence of myopia and other vision issues could have lasting consequences for millions of young people.
For over a century, Scouting has provided millions of young people with opportunities to explore the outdoors, develop life skills, and engage in physical activities that support their overall well-being. We know firsthand the value of outdoor education and time spent in nature – not only in shaping resilient and capable youth but also in fostering healthy habits that protect their vision. Activities like hiking, camping, and community service outdoors not only build resilience and leadership but also play a vital role in safeguarding vision. Studies have shown that every hour spent outdoors each week reduces the risk of myopia, yet too many children are spending more time indoors than ever before. Governments, educators, and civil society must work together to create environments that encourage outdoor learning and play.”
Hannah Graham,
Manager, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns at World Scouting
The economic burden extends beyond individual households. High myopia and other vision-impairing diseases generate staggering costs for society due to lost productivity and increased healthcare needs. In Spain alone, the total cost of vision-impairing diseases between 2021 and 2030 is projected to reach €99.8 billion – a trend mirrored across other European countries.
A Call for Coordinated Action
Despite mounting evidence linking lifestyle factors to the rise in myopia cases and their long-term consequences, policy responses remain insufficient. The coalition urges European policymakers to act now by implementing evidence-based solutions that address both prevention and intervention.
The joint policy statement outlines five key recommendations:
Protecting Children’s Vision: A Shared Responsibility
The coalition emphasises that addressing children’s eye health is not only a public health priority but also a matter of upholding the Rights of the Child. By safeguarding children’s vision today, we can ensure their ability to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and professionally.
To read the full statement, visit [link].
Co-signatories:
Observer:
‣ World Health Organisation (Europe Region)
