- Medically Reviewed by: Mr Mfazo Hove, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
- Author: Chris Dunnington
- Published: October 22, 2026
- Last Updated: October 22, 2026
TL;DR: Mr Mfazo Hove, consultant ophthalmic surgeon and founder of Blue Fin Vision®, spoke to the Daily Mirror about myopia, or short-sightedness, following public comments by television presenter Claudia Winkleman about her vision. He explains the signs to recognise in adults and children, why childhood myopia requires monitoring and when a change in adult vision should be assessed.
Daily Mirror Highlights Growing Myopia Concern
The Daily Mirror examined myopia after Claudia Winkleman spoke publicly about the effect poor eyesight has had on her personal life and television career.
The presenter has previously described difficulties reading an autocue, driving and seeing clearly without specially made glasses or contact lenses. She has also discussed undergoing procedures to improve her vision.
The article reports that approximately one in three people in the UK has short-sightedness, with the condition becoming increasingly common among children.
Mr Hove was invited to explain myopia more broadly, including the symptoms parents and adults should recognise and why the condition is becoming a growing concern.
His comments addressed myopia generally. They should not be interpreted as a personal clinical assessment of Ms Winkleman or her previous treatment.
What Is Myopia?
Myopia, commonly called short-sightedness, causes objects in the distance to appear blurred while nearer objects generally remain clearer.
It usually occurs when the eyeball grows too long from front to back. Light then focuses in front of the retina rather than directly on it. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that converts light into signals for the brain.
Myopia often begins during childhood, although it can also develop in adults. An eye examination should be arranged if you or your child are having difficulty seeing distant objects clearly.
Mr Hove told the Daily Mirror:
“The main symptom is the same at any age: distance vision becomes blurred, while nearer objects usually remain clearer. The difference is who notices.”
Adults may recognise the change when road signs, television pictures or faces across a room begin to look blurred. Children may not realise that their vision differs from that of other people.
Myopia Signs in Children
Children often adapt to blurred distance vision and may not complain about it. Parents and teachers therefore play an important role in recognising possible signs.
Mr Hove explained:
“Children may not complain. They often assume everyone sees the way they do, so parents and teachers have to watch for clues.
“These include squinting, sitting very close to the TV, holding a tablet near the face, or losing interest in the board at school or in ball sports. Eye rubbing and headaches can also occur, although they have many other causes.”
Other possible signs include:
- Difficulty reading a whiteboard at school.
- Moving closer to see distant objects.
- Holding books, phones or tablets unusually close.
- Regularly rubbing the eyes.
- Complaining of headaches or tired eyes.
- Losing interest in activities requiring clear distance vision.
These signs do not prove that a child has myopia. A professional eye examination is needed to determine the cause and whether glasses or further assessment are required.
Why Myopia Progression Matters
Myopia can progress throughout childhood as the eye continues to grow. The earlier it develops, the more time there may be for the prescription and eye length to increase.
Mr Hove told the Daily Mirror:
“The earlier it starts, the higher it usually ends up. Higher myopia carries a greater lifetime risk of retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration and glaucoma.”
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the tissue supporting it. Myopic macular degeneration affects the central area of the retina responsible for detailed vision. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain.
Mr Hove explained that monitoring may involve measuring axial length, the distance from the front to the back of the eye, alongside changes in the child’s prescription:
“That is why we monitor eye length alongside their prescription, so we can assess progression rather than simply update their glasses.”
Myopia is often more stable in adults. However, a new or sudden increase in short-sightedness should be assessed because it may be associated with another change in eye or general health.
Mr Hove added:
“A new or sudden change in short-sightedness in adulthood should always be checked by an eye specialist, because it can be an early sign of cataract or changes in blood sugar.”
The Increasing Prevalence of Myopia
Mr Hove also discussed the increasing number of people living with myopia.
Approximately one-quarter of the global population was estimated to have short-sightedness in 2000. Projections suggest this could rise to almost half of the global population, or approximately five billion people, by 2050.
Mr Hove explained:
“Much of this reflects short-sighted children growing into short-sighted adults, because myopia that starts in childhood does not go away.
“Some adults also develop myopia for the first time, while others continue to become more short-sighted, particularly during their twenties. That is why the focus is increasingly on childhood.”
Slowing progression during childhood may help reduce the number of adults who later live with high myopia and its associated complications.
What Can Help With Myopia?
Prescription glasses and contact lenses can provide clear distance vision, but standard vision correction does not remove the underlying tendency of the eye to be short-sighted.
For children and young people, practical measures may include:
- Spending approximately two hours outside each day.
- Taking regular breaks from prolonged reading or screen use.
- Keeping books and digital devices at a comfortable distance.
- Using specialist spectacle lenses designed to slow progression.
- Using specialist contact lenses where clinically suitable.
- Considering low-dose atropine eye drops under appropriate clinical supervision.
- Monitoring changes in prescription and axial eye length.
No approach can guarantee that myopia will stop progressing. Treatment should follow a suitable assessment, with the expected benefits, limitations and practical requirements explained clearly.
Standard prescription glasses and contact lenses improve clarity but do not cure myopia. Specialist myopia-management options aim to slow progression rather than reverse changes that have already occurred.
Read The Full Coverage
Daily Mirror: Claudia Winkleman’s deteriorating health condition as surgeon raises concerns, published 22 October 2026.
Concerned About Short-Sightedness?
If you or your child are struggling to see distant objects clearly, arrange a professional eye examination. Seek prompt assessment if an adult experiences a new or sudden prescription change, unexplained blurred vision or another unexpected change in sight.
For adult concerns, Blue Fin Vision® offers, consultant-led general ophthalmology consultations with advanced diagnostics at clinics across London, Hertfordshire and Essex.
