Bambino Gesù hospital opens Italy's first clinic for childhood myopia

The Bambino Gesù pediatric hospital has opened the first clinic in Italy within a pediatric hospital dedicated exclusively to diagnosing and monitoring myopia in children and adolescents. Located in Palidoro, the clinic addresses a condition affecting more than two million young people between the ages of 5 and 19 in Italy.

Luca Buzzonetti, head of the ophthalmology unit at Bambino Gesù, stated that myopia is more than a vision defect requiring glasses. He noted that intervening during childhood to slow the progression of the condition helps protect eye health in adulthood.

Myopia generally appears between the ages of 6 and 14 and is often linked to the elongation of the eyeball. The condition frequently worsens during growth, and high levels of myopia can increase the risk of serious complications in adulthood, such as retinal detachment. Medical experts associate the rising number of cases with lifestyle changes, including increased time spent using smartphones, tablets, and computers, alongside reduced time spent outdoors.