The global rise of myopia is well reported, but for many optometrists the issue isn’t just about epidemiology and statistics. It’s about the children behind the numbers – sitting in their testing rooms every day, often experiencing eye care for the first time.
Myopia management has recently been identified as a key clinical area of focus for Specsavers. For perspectives on what this means in day-to-day practice, mivision spoke to four optometrists who were recently recognised by the company on World Optometry Day, for their clinical leadership in kids’ eye health: Amy Odisho from Specsavers Stanhope Gardens NSW, Dr Rebecca Howells from Specsavers Ellenbrook WA, Gabriella Mazraany from Specsavers Mill Park VIC, and Sharifeh Safdari from Specsavers Tauranga Crossing NZ.
Across Australia and New Zealand, optometrists are seeing an increasing number of young patients presenting with myopia, a trend closely linked to increased near work, reduced time outdoors, and evolving lifestyle behaviours.
It’s little wonder, then, that paediatric eye care has become a priority. In its five-year plan announced recently, Specsavers identified it as not just a current clinical priority, but a defining opportunity to transform lifelong visual outcomes for generations to come. In a strategy shaped by engagement with its clinical workforce, the company has committed to supporting and enabling clinicians to enhance delivery of care for children – improving accessibility and embedding myopia management as the standard of care.
But what does this mean in practice for the clinicians who are seeing young myopes every day?
Influencing Outcomes for Life
For the optometrists interviewed, being passionate about paediatric care comes from the short- and long-term impacts that clear sight can have on a child’s overall development and quality of life.
For Ms Safdari, the most meaningful moments come when improved vision changes a child’s day-to-day life; the pride she feels when families notice their child gaining confidence and becoming more engaged in school once their vision is corrected.
She recalled one case where a child’s persistent headaches resolved after receiving glasses, despite only mild hyperopia: “Prior to the eye test, the family hadn’t realised his vision was contributing to the problem. Seeing the relief from both the child and parent was incredibly rewarding and reinforced how much impact early eye care can have on a child’s day-to-day wellbeing.”
Ms Mazraany said some of the most meaningful moments of her career so far have been when she’s positively influenced a child’s eye health and proudly displayed a drawing in her clinic from a four-year-old who had a remarkable life turnaround after getting his first pair of glasses.
“Good vision not only affects a child’s eyesight, but has an impact on their early learning, their confidence, and social development. I especially love seeing the many cases of myopic patients who return with stable prescriptions after they’ve started on a myopia management plan. Amblyopic kids who thrive and end up with perfect vision after consistently wearing their glasses have been very memorable, too.”
Why Myopia Demands an Industry Response
While optometrists have long provided care for children, the increasing prevalence of myopia and advancements in myopia research and management options have brought paediatric eye care into sharper focus.
Ms Mazraany said when she was given the chance to submit her thoughts on the future priorities of her profession in the annual Great Place to Work survey, she wasn’t alone in pushing for kids’ eye health.
“I think it’s amazing that Specsavers is placing a spotlight on kids’ eye health. This focus is important to support early detection and management of refractive and ocular health issues, as well as supporting families by raising awareness on the multitude of eye conditions that can impact a child’s development and confidence.”
Dr Howells has noticed a shift too. “Kids’ eye health has gained a lot of focus. At Specsavers alone, we’ve already seen more resources, improved access to myopia control, and more training opportunities.”
Ms Mazraany believes that increasing access to myopia management options is also having an impact, enabling clinicians to intervene earlier and influence long-term outcomes.
“As we know, myopia has an increasing prevalence among children, and the accessibility of myopia management with MiyoSmart and Specsavers’ own MyoEyes has been a gamechanger for our paediatric patients,” she said.
Patient engagement has evolved alongside clinical options. Ms Odisho points to child-friendly resources as one example of what’s shifted.
“An example of this is the Optomonster booklet, which I use to alleviate a lot of the anxiety kids might feel around the unknown when going into an eye test. It’s all about familiarising them with the environment in a fun way.”
… mirroring a child’s energy can help build trust – balancing engagement without overwhelming them
Tips for Caring for Kids
Better tools matter. But all four optometrists are clear that successful paediatric care ultimately comes down to how it is delivered. A consistent theme, which they said is also front and centre in Specsavers’ training, is the importance of building strong rapport.
Ms Mazraany noted that having a trusted relationship, with both the child and parents individually, is vital to getting the most from a kid’s eye test.
“Every child is different based on personality and age, so adapting your approach to each by asking them about school, activities, or games they’re interested in, keeps them engaged. I also think it’s important to remember to involve their guardians too – having them all be on the same page with the child’s management plan makes all the difference.”
Ms Odisho takes a similarly tailored approach, explaining that mirroring a child’s energy can help build trust – balancing engagement without overwhelming them.
“You want to avoid boring the excited and energetic kid but not overwhelming the shy and reserved kid. Explaining what you are doing and why, at each step during testing, can both alleviate anxiety and quench curiosity. Bribery with stickers – as many as needed – has also helped me avoid many cycloplegic meltdowns.”
Dr Howells reinforced the importance of adaptability and relationship-building over time.
“One of my patients is an eight-year-old girl who also has ASD (autism spectrum disorder). The first time I saw her she hid under her mum’s chair and ran out of my room crying. She was very scared. Since then, I’ve worked really hard to get to know her and her family, and to make the testing room a comfortable environment for her. I have also adapted my communication and testing style to meet her needs.
“Now when I see her, she runs into my room excited to see me and tell me what she’s been up to since I saw her last. She’s getting better at wearing her glasses and her myopia is starting to stabilise.”
Once trust is there, patience matters just as much, Ms Safdari said. “Speaking at their level, making eye contact, letting them feel involved in the test – small things, but they shift the whole dynamic.
“I also think it’s important not to rush. Sometimes taking a little extra time creates a much more accurate and positive experience for both the child and their parents,” she said.
I also think it’s important not to rush. Sometimes taking a little extra time creates a much more accurate and positive experience for both the child and their parents
Shaping A Future With Better Vision
For the optometrists leading the way, the focus remains firmly on early intervention and education because, as Ms Safdari stressed, myopia is not just about needing stronger glasses.
“It’s also associated with increased long-term ocular health risks later in life. That’s why conversations around prevention, monitoring, and management are becoming increasingly important.”
Ms Mazraany pointed to the role of awareness and education in addressing this challenge: “It’s vital that we continuously educate families and spread awareness on the importance of regular eye examinations,” she said.
Ms Odisho thinks about the ripple effects. “Every child’s eye test is an opportunity to educate parents and guardians, which could slow or even prevent myopia – not only for one child, but also for any siblings, nieces, nephews, children of friends, and so on,” she explained.
And Dr Howells comes back, always, to the children themselves – the ones who return to her room more confident, more settled, more comfortable. Like an eight-year-old who used to hide under chairs, and now runs in.
