Sharp rise in childhood myopia alarms Spanish health experts

Rates of myopia in Spanish children aged 8 to 12 have climbed sharply, according to new research from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). The university’s Vision, Optometry and Health (VOS) group found that the percentage of children in this age group with myopia jumped from 12.3% to 28.7% over three years. The average annual progression among affected children was 0.29 diopters. Researchers describe this as a significant public health issue for families and schools.

The study focused on ages 8 to 12, a period when children’s eyesight is especially prone to change. More than 2,500 children in Barcelona were tracked as part of the Cohorte Infantil de Salud Visual de Terrassa project, which gathered long-term data not previously available in southern Europe. If the current pace continues, researchers warn that more teenagers could face severe vision problems in the coming years. Europa Press, which independently reported the results, highlighted the scale and duration of the project.

The data points to several risk factors. Children who develop myopia earlier tend to see it progress more quickly and are more likely to reach high myopia (6 diopters or more) by adolescence. The study also found that girls with myopia had a faster increase in axial eye length—the main anatomical cause of the condition—than boys. Children of non-Caucasian backgrounds started the study with a greater axial length at age 8, though their eye growth over time was similar to their peers. Expert commentary in El Economista and La Vanguardia links early onset and rapid progression to factors like increased screen time and less outdoor activity.

This research comes as Catalonia faces broader challenges in child health and education. Recent shortages in special education resources highlight the growing need to support children with a range of needs, including vision problems. The UPC study’s detailed data suggests that early intervention and regular monitoring could make a difference for many families. European reviews in 2026 have also identified myopia as a leading pediatric eye health issue, connecting its rise to lifestyle changes and warning that, without action, a large share of the population could be affected by 2050.

Myopia develops when the eye’s axial length—the distance from the cornea to the retina—grows too much, causing blurred distance vision. Early detection is important, as children who become myopic at a younger age are at higher risk for rapid worsening and later complications. The study’s focus on gender and ethnic differences suggests that prevention strategies may need to be tailored for different groups.

Spain’s public health system now faces a clear challenge: how to respond to a rapid and uneven rise in childhood myopia. The UPC data shows that the window for effective intervention is short. Without targeted screening and prevention, many children could face avoidable vision loss. The findings call for urgent attention from health professionals, policymakers, and educators alike.