In the lead up to Myopia Awareness Week, from 22 –26 May, BHVI is asking all eye care professionals, parents and advocates to ‘Keep An Eye On Myopia’ in an effort to slow the progression of this disabling disease.
To support the campaign, the Australian not-for-profit organisation with an international focus on vision research, has developed a range of educational and awareness resources for practitioners, parents, and advocates of myopia awareness.
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is among the most common ocular disorders worldwide and is a leading cause of visual impairment in children.1 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 Uncorrected myopia is a leading cause of blindness worldwide.3
With treatment options advancing every year, increasing findings from leading bodies like the International Myopia Institute and GMAC providing further evidence-based research for slowing myopia progression, BHVI says “it is past-time for eye care professionals to include myopia management as an essential part of patient eye health”.
We are now at a critical stage in the effort to curb myopia, where we have the tools to create meaningful change
Bringing World Health Leaders Together
BHVI says ensuring ECPs understand what treatment options are available, alongside knowing the symptoms, risks and prevalence of myopia, is a key to having meaningful conversations with patients about making myopia management an essential part of their eye health.
“In the last few years, there has been an incredibly concerted effort from leading researchers and producers of eye health technology to develop robust treatment methods for slowing myopia progression. We are now at a critical stage in the effort to curb myopia, where we have the tools to create meaningful change. It is now time to engage the entire eye health community, advising them of not just the importance, but how they can treat myopia in their practice with their afflicted patients – putting to use the incredible bodies of research and advancements in technology that are pushing the case for a world where half the population doesn’t need to be impacted by this debilitating eye disease,” said Yvette Waddell, CEO, BHVI.
“At BHVI, we are thrilled to be able to bring together all world leaders in myopia research during these exciting times, and incredibly appreciative of the support we receive from the industry during Myopia Awareness Week in ensuring this global issue is tackled through a globally united effort.”
References
- Mehta N, Wen A. Myopia: A Global Epidemic. Retina Today. September 2019.
- Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology 2016;123(5):1036–42.
- Flaxman SR, Bourne RRA, Resnikoff S, et al. Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment 1990–2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2017;5(12):e1221–e34
