For this issue, the last in 2017, we have turned our attention to myopia, now widely referred to as a global epidemic. Thank you to Brisbane based optometrist Kate Gifford, for taking on the role of guest editor for this important issue. Kate’s expertise in this area is well known and as a consequence of her credentials, she was able to gather other leaders in the field to contribute articles, among them Professor Padmaja Sankaridurg, Dr. Abhishek Sharma and Dr. Paul Gifford.
The prevalence statistics for myopia are alarming and, as the experts say, unless there is a shared vision across the various groups – researchers, clinicians, individuals, carers, community and governments – it’s only going to get worse. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that myopia will significantly affect approximately 50 per cent of the global population by the year 2050.
Among a raft of articles, covering off the many aspects of myopia, you’ll find two education articles to get you started on the new CPD year; one on myopia and the visual environment by Queensland University of Technology’s Associate Professor Scott Read; and the second on myopia control with soft contact lenses, written by Dr. Nicola Anstice, Dr. Philip Turnbull, Dr. Andrew Collins and Dr. John Phillips, all from Auckland University.
In an insightful ophthalmology column, retinal specialists Dr. Abhishek Sharma and Dr. Christolyn Raj describe the way they talk to myopia patients about the many retinal issues they need to be aware of and their associated risks.
The prevalence statistics for myopia are alarming and… it’s only going to get worse
Elsewhere in mivision, we have a feature on spectacle lenses for children written by Alan Saks, and another on children’s frames with fitting advice from Alicia Thompson, Director of Professional Examinations at the Association of British Dispensing Opticians. With the global threat of myopia having an early impact on children, these two features could be particularly beneficial to practice.
While Kate was co-ordinating this issue, I was fortunate enough to visit Paris for the 50th anniversary of Silmo. It was, as always, an exciting opportunity to meet up with eye wear designers from right around the world, including Australia, and to see the incredible new shapes, colour ways and technologies coming through. A spectacular Silmo D’Or Awards event at the Grand Palais was a highlight. You’ll find a review of Silmo later in the issue.
As we wrap up for the year, I’d like to thank all the supporters of mivision. We are fortunate to have an extraordinary group of contributors who take time from their hectic clinical schedules to write for us, ensuring our readers benefit from the latest research and clinical developments in optometry and ophthalmology. Thank you also to our advertisers, who enable us to publish mivision each month without fail, and to our readers for your continued support and loyalty.
Finally, thank you to our fantastic team – to Todd, Nikki, Leigh, Simon, Kirsten and Michelle – who are committed to achieving such a high quality publication. Thank you also to Mark, our founding editor, for his guidance.
We wish you all the best for a restful, enjoyable Christmas.
