11 December 2025
Hoya Vision Care convened global experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and advocates to publish a consensus statement declaring childhood myopia as a public health emergency and outlining a path for coordinated global intervention.
The consensus was marked by the publication of a statement: Tackling the Myopia Crisis: Uniting Frontline Care, Policy, and Thoughtful Innovation on World Children’s Day, 20 November.
The panel of experts represented fields of epidemiology, policy, sustainability, clinical care, and patient advocacy.
The panel called for an immediate shift from fragmented efforts to a coordinated global strategy.
This included four recommendations for government and healthcare systems, the first being to mandate universal paediatric vision screening for preschool age upwards, and to prioritise myopia management intervention upskilling in continuous professional education for eye care professionals.
In addition, the panel called for the integration of healthy visual habits, including mandated time outdoors, myopia awareness initiatives, and educational activities, within school curriculums and community hubs.
Finally, the panel called for a recognition that the measures should be implemented alongside wider policies to address childhood health inequalities, digital wellbeing, and universal health coverage.
Marius de Beer, chief sustainability officer of Hoya Vision Care, said: “We’re proud to champion a movement focused on protecting children from the rapid and preventable progression of myopia.”
Highlighting the importance of early detection and awareness, he added: “This growing challenge clearly calls for an innovative approach and long-term commitment to improve the next generation’s health, wellbeing, and their journey through life.”
Hoya pointed to research which suggests that by 2050, childhood myopia is estimated to affect 52% of the global population.
Highlighting the economic burden, Hoya Vision Care noted that in 2015 productivity losses from uncorrected myopia in adults totalled $244 billion globally, while a 2024 study found myopia control interventions to be cost-effective, well below World Health Organization thresholds.
Professor Serge Resnikoff, chair of the International Myopia Institute, said: “Myopia cases are rapidly rising, and incremental progress is not enough.”
Commenting on the consensus statement, he added: “We are uniting to demonstrate the global collaboration that is essential to translate proven interventions into scalable policies that protect children’s sight and safeguard public health.”
Panellists also emphasised the importance of access to vision care for all, with Jacqueline Grove, president of 20/20 Quest, National Vision’s Charitable Foundation, and CEO of The Coalition for Clear Vision, commenting: “Every child, regardless of who or where they are, deserves access to the vision care that could change the trajectory of their entire life.”
Dr Stuart Keel, World Health Organization (WHO) representative, said: “Childhood myopia has become a major public health concern demanding integrated, people-centred approaches at every level of care. The WHO SPECS 2030 initiative supports countries in developing sustainable eye care strategies that prioritise refractive error services and myopia management.”
“Partnerships such as this roundtable demonstrate how coordinated global action can drive real impact – but only if we move from consensus to implementation,” he added.
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