On stage at 100% Optical: Attitudes to myopia management

In the lead-up to 100% Optical 2023 in February, OT reached out to a selection of speakers from the education programme to find out more about the sessions on offer, the topics that will be explored, and what visitors can expect. Find the full series, along with further content on 100% Optical on OT’s dedicated page.

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What is the focus of your session?

This session reflects on the past five years by reviewing eye care professional’s (ECP) attitudes to myopia and its management, with reference to three consecutively fielded global surveys (2016, 2019, 2022). This will be presented in the context of the increasing range of evidence-based interventions that are now available, including myopia-controlling spectacles, soft contact lenses and orthokeratology.

What are some of the key messages you wish to highlight?

The myopia epidemic shows no sign of slowing down. The profession needs to speed up and recognise the role they are able to play, and how they have the power to change the natural history of myopia progression and severity. Early intervention with proactive management could make a huge difference to the way children see, both during their most formative years, and later in life.

Myopia is no longer an easy refraction waiting to be corrected – it is a ticking time bomb that will place all health systems under enormous pressure

Who is this topic for? Who might benefit the most from joining?

Eye care professionals and allied healthcare providers. Faculty at higher education establishments. Those who are interested in myopia management and yet to start, or those who are already engaging and appreciate the validation.

Why is this topic so important for optometrists to engage with?

Myopia is no longer an easy refraction waiting to be corrected – it is a ticking time bomb that will place all health systems under enormous pressure. At an individual level, living with myopia affects quality of life, which scales with myopia severity. ECPs are well placed to identify and treat children so that they don’t become high myopes, and more importantly, lower their risks of myopia-associated pathology. This requires the entire profession to step up to the challenge.

What do you hope the top takeaway will be for attendees?

Myopia management should be mainstream in optometry practices without exception, and all myopic children should be managed with effective interventions as first-line management.