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06-Sep-2026
22,135 Myopia is becoming increasingly common among children in Vietnam, particularly in major cities. A 2025 meta-analysis involving more than 32,000 Vietnamese students found that approximately 28.83% had myopia, while the overall prevalence of refractive errors reached 37.6%. The significant difference between urban and rural areas suggests that lifestyle, learning environments, and time spent outdoors may play important roles in this trend.
Rising school-age myopia in Vietnam: The risk of a generation becoming increasingly dependent on glasses
Nearly 3 in 10 Vietnamese students have myopia
School-age myopia is no longer a problem affecting only a small group of children who need glasses. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis involving data from 32,211 Vietnamese students estimated the prevalence of refractive errors among schoolchildren at approximately 37.6%, with myopia accounting for around 28.83%.
Notably, the study found that myopia was significantly more prevalent among students living in urban areas than among those in rural areas, with some analyses suggesting that the prevalence could be approximately twice as high. This finding is consistent with data reported separately in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in recent years. At a vision-health seminar held in August 2026, experts cited data showing that approximately 26.6% of secondary school students in urban areas had myopia, compared with around 14.2–16.3% in rural areas. An earlier assessment conducted at several primary and secondary schools in Hanoi also recorded a refractive error prevalence of approximately 37.5%, with myopia accounting for the majority of cases.
Differences in prevalence figures across studies do not necessarily indicate conflicting results, as the age groups studied, geographic locations, diagnostic criteria, and refractive assessment methods may vary. Nevertheless, the overall trend remains relatively consistent: myopia and other refractive errors are affecting a substantial proportion of school-age children in Vietnam.
Why are urban children more likely to develop myopia?
Myopia does not develop simply because children “spend too much time on their phones.” Genetics is one of the established risk factors, particularly when one or both parents have myopia. However, the rapid increase in myopia over recent decades suggests that environmental and behavioral factors also play a major role. Long hours spent studying in classrooms, together with the increasing use of digital devices for education and entertainment, may contribute to the growing prevalence of refractive errors. At the same time, many children still do not receive regular eye examinations. In addition, some schools may not provide adequate lighting conditions for learning.
At the seminar, experts also discussed strategies for the early prevention of myopia. One increasingly important concept is pre-myopia, a refractive state in which a child is not yet myopic but has a combination of risk factors that increases the likelihood of developing myopia in the future. Identifying these children early may allow preventive and management strategies to be introduced before myopia develops.
To help limit the increasing prevalence of myopia, schools and families should encourage more outdoor activities, including outdoor learning, sports, physical education, and recreational play. Time spent using electronic devices and engaging in prolonged near-work activities should also be appropriately managed, as excessive near work, including extended use of digital devices, has been associated with a higher risk of myopia development and progression.
Associate Professor Nguyen Dinh Ngan, MD, PhD, Vice President of the Vietnam Ophthalmological Society and Deputy Director of Military Hospital 103, emphasized that preventing myopia from developing in the first place is preferable. Once myopia occurs, its progression should be carefully controlled because high myopia is associated with an increased risk of serious eye conditions, including retinal detachment, visual impairment, and irreversible vision loss.
Experts also noted that the range of refractive correction and myopia-management options is becoming increasingly diverse, including spectacles, contact lenses, and overnight orthokeratology lenses. In Vietnam, contact lenses are regulated as medical devices under Decree No. 98/2021/ND-CP and must meet applicable safety and registration requirements before being placed on the market. However, products of unclear or unverified origin can still be found on the market.
With millions of Vietnamese children affected by refractive problems, myopia control should be viewed as a long-term collaborative process involving families, schools, and healthcare providers. This process should begin with early screening and identification of children at higher risk and continue with regular monitoring throughout their school years.
School-Age Myopia Is Rising in Vietnam: The Risk of a Generation Becoming Dependent on Glasses
03/10/2026
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