Retina International has joined 11 civil society and industry partners in releasing a joint policy statement: “Adapting to the Digital and Sedentary World: Addressing the Growing Crisis of Children’s Eye Health.”
The message is clear: children’s vision is at risk. Driven by increased screen time, reduced outdoor activity, and a lack of early intervention, myopia is projected to affect half of all European school-leavers by 2035.
Why This Matters
Myopia doesn’t just mean blurry vision, it can lead to long-term risks like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. It impacts learning, mental health, and even future job prospects. Families face rising treatment costs, while healthcare systems face growing demand.
“At Retina International, we are committed to building systems that ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has access to early, equitable, and effective eye care. As myopia rates rise, we must prioritise prevention from childhood. Children’s vision is a public health issue, but it’s also a social and economic one. If we fail to address the crisis in eye health now, we will see lasting impacts on education, employment, and well-being. Early intervention isn’t just better than cure, it’s essential to long-term health equity.”
Avril Daly, CEO, Retina International
“If we do not act now, the rising prevalence of myopia and other vision issues could have lasting consequences for millions of young people.”
Hannah Graham, World Scouting
“Ensuring that children have access to high-quality eye care is essential for progress toward the Global Goals.”
Sumrana Yasmin, Sightsavers
Our Call to Action
The coalition urges European governments and stakeholders to:
-
Implement regular vision screening and awareness campaigns
-
Guarantee equal access to eye care for all children
-
Promote outdoor learning and physical activity
-
Set school guidelines for screen time
-
Use technology to inspire healthier habits
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.
Retina International stands with our partners to call for urgent, coordinated action to safeguard the eye health of the next generation.
