Myopia Awareness Week, a global initiative to bring attention to the growing epidemic of myopia in children across the world, will take place this year from 24 to 28 May.
BHVI has developed a range of resources to help practitioners, parents and advocates of myopia awareness start a conversation about this debilitating ocular disorder.
Professor Padmaja Sankaridurg, Head of Myopia Program, BHVI says “vision impairment due to uncorrected myopia and myopia related complication is on the rise and expected to increase further”.
Among the most common ocular disorders worldwide, myopia is a leading cause of visual impairment in children1 and studies have predicted that the global prevalence of myopia will rise from 28% of the world’s population, or two billion people in 2010, to 50% of the world’s population, or five billion people in 2050.2 In fact, uncorrected myopia is a leading cause of blindness worldwide.3
BHVI has developed a range of resources to help practitioners, parents and advocates of myopia awareness start a conversation
Prof Sankaridurg says this means, “It has never been more important to spread the word and make sure parents and children are informed, so that they can make healthy vision decisions.”
Along with educational resources BHVI has developed content for social media, that can be used to help drive awareness and encourage members of the community to “take action”. Resources and campaign information can be found at bhvi.org
“There is much happening in research, product development and professional education to meet the myopia challenge, but it is critical we engage with those at the front-lines – eye care practitioners – to ensure they have the understanding and tools to protect our children’s futures,” said Yvette Waddell, CEO, BHVI. “We are delighted to be at the forefront of Myopia awareness in promoting Myopia Awareness Week.”
