It’s all about myopia this issue. And so it should be. Myopia is the most common refractive error, affecting more than 1.44 billion people. Its presence is rising sharply –it is predicted that by 2050 over half the population will be living with this sight threatening condition and of those, 925 million will be high myopes (≤ –5 dioptres). Studies have reported that pathological myopia in adults is the cause of between 6 and 26 per cent of blindness across the world.
With this in mind we present two major articles on myopia. The first, our lead story, with an educational component attached, was written by optometrist Annette Hoskin, soon after returning from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual congress, where myopia was a hot topic. Our second article on myopia also comes with two CPD points attached. This one is written by Professors Brien Holden, David Wilson and Monica Jong. It’s well worth reading both articles because between the two we’ve managed to cover off everything from the associated familial and environmental factors through to the vision threatening implications, as well as current and future treatment strategies. A key message delivered by Professor Holden’s team is that “optometrists and ophthalmologists should consider the use of myopia control treatments, not merely correction of the refractive error”.
From vision correction for myopia we move to the challenges of presbyopia. This issue our ophthalmology guest editor, Clinical Associate Professor Michael Lawless, along with Dr. Rick Wolfe, write on diffractive trifocal intraocular lenses, which are becoming an increasingly popular alternative for presbyopes seeking correction for near, intermediate and far vision.
Our other education article in this issue is written by optometrist and specialty contact lens practitioner David Stephensen, which focuses on the technological innovations behind multifocal contact lenses. Optometrist Alan Saks also writes on contact lenses, his focus being the water gradient contact lens technology behind Alcon Dailies.
This issue we profile Professor Nathan Efron AC, academic, innovator and mivision blogger who was recently awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia, the nation’s highest award to be decided by members of the public. This colourful identity has plenty to be proud of, as members of the profession testified when mivision called them up.
When a team of five eye health volunteers from Sydney travelled to the Philippines to perform cataract surgery on some of the 40,000 people in need of the procedure, the results were life changing. Rachel Fyfe Communications Manager at Foresight Australia writes about her experience.
Former Eyecare Plus CEO Michael Jacobs was mivision’s man on the ground at ODMA, catching up with eyewear distributors big and small, and assessing the trends and business making opportunities. Michael presents the latest news and learnings gathered from exhibitors and delegates at the show, along with all the frame highlights.
In Fashion News, among other stories we give you a sneak peek at Skugga, a new concept in sunglasses with variable electronic tint control developed by award winning Swedish designers.So much this month… oh, and if you’ve received an abusive email from a customer, drop into the Last Word for a perspective.
Mark Cushway
Editor
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