BLOG: ‘Don’t be short-sighted about the dangers of myopia in children, we need to act now’

“There’s no time like the present, we need to act fast and we need to act now.”

That was the standout message from myopia experts who travelled to the UK to update eye care professionals on the dangers posed by the global epidemic as part of the BCLA’s #AtYourPlace roadshow. 
Award-winning optometrists Paul and Kate Gifford travelled from Australia to speak at the events in Birmingham, Manchester and London to help raise awareness of myopia control and to give advice on how best to fit contact lenses in children.

Their insight into how to make sure contact lenses work effectively for young patients and help to slow the progression of myopia gave eye care practitioners the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of how to run a successful children’s contact lens clinic, using pioneering techniques and technology.

Kate, who is based in Brisbane and is a former President of Optometry Australia, discussed multiple facets of contact lens myopia control: including lens designs, outcomes, clinical cases and a future picture of myopia control. 

Kate explained her position as a -1 patient and warned that even at that level, the extent of her myopia is not benign, putting at greater risk of cataracts and retinal detachments.
Meanwhile, Paul Gifford examined the currently available methods for controlling progression of myopia, the evidence supporting their use in practice, and understanding the clinical imperative to do so.

He said: “With paediatric myopia spreading as it currently is, we need to have a thorough understanding of the scientific literature and its translation to clinical practice. 

“Understanding the imperative for myopia control, and the relationship between scientific and clinical innovation, is key to ensure the whole optometry profession drives improvements for the very best patient outcomes.”

The roadshows, held in Manchester, Birmingham and London and sponsored by CooperVision and Menicon, attracted more than 150 delegates.