Dates confirmed for Myopia Awareness Week

The Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) has announced the dates for the 2022 Myopia Awareness Week, due to take place from 23 to 28 May. 

The theme for the awareness week will be ‘Make your Eye Moves,’ which aims to encourage participation in activities that promote eye health and reduce the risk of myopia.

The Australian not-for-profit organisation will provide a range of educational resources for practitioners, parents and myopia awareness advocates.

Experts in eye care will also be sharing their tips and recommendations for parents and children on ‘Eye Moves’ to help reduce the risk of onset or progression of myopia.

BHVI highlighted that myopia is among the most common ocular disorders worldwide, and is a leading cause of visual impairment in children.

Professor Padmaja Sankaridurg, head of myopia program at BHVI, commented: “The eye health of our young matters more than ever before. COVID-19 has significantly raised the stakes and increased the burden of myopia.”

However, Sankaridurg argued that, with advances in research, product development and professional education, “there is hope… to meet the myopia challenge,” adding: “We must engage from the front-lines – through eye care practitioners – to ensure they are able to educate their communities about myopia and manage and protect our children’s futures.”

BHVI relaunched Myopia Awareness Week in 2021 after the campaign was unable to go ahead in 2020.

Highlighting the continued support from the profession and industry for the Myopia Awareness Week, Sankaridurg said: “it is truly a global collective trying to move the needle on myopia management.”

More information on the awareness week will be available on the BHVI website.