Myopia in children rapidly increased during the Covid-19 pandemic, then temporarily decreased and subsequently rebounded, a new survey of schoolchildren in China found.  

Examining uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and spherical equivalent refraction (SER) in children aged 6–13 from 45 primary schools in Hangzhou (2019 to 2023), researchers found a substantial myopic shift in all age groups in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019. “The prevalence of myopia in all age groups was the highest for five years in 2020 or 2021, which was 31.3% for six-year-olds, 43.0% for seven-year-olds, and 53.7% for eight-year-olds,” they wrote. However, in 2022 the prevalence of myopia decreased in all age groups. In 2023, researchers found a slight decrease in the prevalence of myopia in children aged six and seven years, but a slight increase among those aged 8–13 years. 

The authors suggested the myopic shift during the pandemic may be related to the reduction of outdoor time, less light and change in near-work habits. However, they highlighted further research is required.  

The study was published by BMC Public Health.