Adolescent myopia has become one of the researchers' focuses among visual problems around the world. Carrying out a scientific and efficient epidemiological study on myopia is an essential basis for discovering the rules of the occurrence and the development of myopia, exploring related influencing factors and identifying the mechanisms, which are critical for the policy-making for myopia control. The epidemiological studies of myopia at home and abroad have a long history of exploration, standardization and unification, and are enriched by new technologies and up-to-date discoveries. Based on the characteristics of social development and the prevalence of adolescent myopia in the past six decades, the epidemiological studies on myopia are divided into four stages in this article. Each stage is specified and analyzed to identify the difference in research methods and strategies. The main scientific issues and research elements in the current epidemiology of myopia in adolescents are put forward. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57:245-250).