Della Optique Cites Study Linking Outdoor Time to Lower Myopia Risk in Kids

Could One Extra Hour Outside Each Week Save Your Child’s Eyesight?

Vancouver, Canada – May 20, 2026 / Della Optique /

VANCOUVER, BC, May 14, 2026 — Della Optique, a boutique optometry practice in Kitsilano serving Vancouver families for over 25 years, is urging parents to take proactive steps toward myopia control in children following research from the University of Waterloo that found just one additional hour of outdoor time per week can lower a child’s odds of developing myopia by 14.3%. Dr. Della Chow, owner and lead optometrist at Della Optique, is responding to the findings by reinforcing the importance of early intervention and evidence-based myopia management for young patients.

Canadian Research Reveals Alarming Rise in Childhood Myopia

The study, published in the journal Eye by researchers at the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science, examined 166 Canadian school children across two age groups and found that myopia prevalence jumped from 6% among children aged 6 to 8 to nearly 29% among those aged 11 to 13. The research also revealed that 34.5% of myopic children in the study were uncorrected — meaning they had no glasses or treatment. These findings come as the British Journal of Ophthalmology reports that childhood myopia rates worldwide have tripled over the past three decades, with the current Canadian rate estimated at approximately 25%, up from 17.5% in 2018.

“What concerns me most is not just the rising numbers — it’s how young children are when myopia begins,” said Dr. Della Chow, OD, owner and optometrist at Della Optique. “We are seeing children as young as six presenting with significant nearsightedness. The Waterloo research confirms what we observe in our clinic every week: children who spend more time outdoors and less time on screens have measurably better outcomes. That is why myopia control needs to start early.”

Evidence-Based Myopia Control Options Now Available

Della Optique has reported a marked increase in myopia management consultations over the past two years, particularly among families with school-aged children in the Kitsilano and greater Vancouver area. The practice offers a range of evidence-based myopia control treatments, including specialty soft contact lenses designed to slow myopia progression, orthokeratology (Ortho-K) overnight lenses, and low-dose atropine eye drops. The Canadian Association of Optometrists estimates that 30% of Canadians experience myopia, with onset now occurring at ages 6 to 7 — where historically it began at 12 to 13. The association and the World Council of Optometry have both declared support for myopia management as a standard of care.

“Parents often assume their child can see fine because they haven’t complained,” said Dr. Oliver Chong, OD, optometrist at Della Optique and a University of Waterloo graduate. “But children don’t know what normal vision looks like. A comprehensive myopia control assessment can catch progression early and give families real options to slow it down before prescriptions climb. We now have treatments that genuinely change the trajectory of a child’s eye health.”

Della Optique offers comprehensive myopia control assessments and personalized myopia management plans for children and teens at their Kitsilano clinic. Appointments can be booked online at drdellaoptometry.com or by calling (604) 742-3937.

About Della Optique

Della Optique is a locally owned boutique optometry practice located at 2589 W Broadway in Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC. Founded over 25 years ago by Dr. Della Chow, OD, a Distinguished Doctor recognized by the Expert Network in 2015, the practice provides comprehensive eye care for patients of all ages. Della Optique specializes in myopia control and myopia management for children and teens, along with eye exams, contact lens fittings, and curated designer eyewear from international brands. Dr. Chow and associate optometrist Dr. Oliver Chong, OD (University of Waterloo) are proud members of the BC Doctors of Optometry. For more information, visit drdellaoptometry.com.

Media Contact:

Della Optique

Phone: (604) 742-3937

Email: info@dellaoptique.com

Website: drdellaoptometry.com

Address: 2589 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2E9