Equality of Vision: Funding Myopia Management in Children

Though 97 percent of UK parents have heard of short-sightedness, only 61 percent recognize the word “myopia,” according to a recent survey of 200 people by MyopiaFocus.org. You may not find this result altogether surprising, but what is striking – says Jason Higginbotham, Managing Editor of Myopia Focus – is how few parents take their children for regular eye examinations. More than one in four parents stated they have “rarely or never” taken their children for an eye exam, and of participants who reported having a short-sighted or myopic child, 94 percent said that their children did not receive myopia treatment and 88 percent said they were not aware that myopia management treatments were available to reduce the risk of myopia progression.

“It is of great concern how many children may have a range of ocular or systemic conditions that are going unnoticed for years – until they become much worse and symptomatic,” Higginbotham tells The New Optometrist. Many children may also suffer educationally, he adds, their performance blamed on learning or behavioral issues when in fact it could be caused by poor vision.

Survey participants pointed to advice from optometrists and factual information as key factors in considering myopia management for their children; however, the responses indicate there is a scarcity of accessible information on the subject. “It’s clear that a major public awareness campaign is required,” says Higginbotham. “The government needs to be involved, starting with the education authorities. Involving parents in pre-school and nursery environments is also essential, and I believe school vision screening should recommence.”

MyopiaFocus.org warns against a possible two-tier system, however, where children from poor backgrounds lack access to effective myopia therapies and are left at higher risk of conditions that could lead to severe sight impairment. “The only way to avoid a two-tier system is if the government changes the way children’s eye care is funded,” Higginbotham tells us. “All children should have regular screening for myopia and other eye conditions, he says. “But it would be wrong to expect parents to pay for it. Myopia management therapies should be covered by special and specific NHS general ophthalmic services (GOS) vouchers.” This funding could include covering the cost of the more effective therapies, such as Ortho-K, says Higginbotham, but it “must include” spectacles and soft contact lens at the least.

Higginbotham founded Myopiafocus.org in May 2022 to raise awareness of the condition and provide a resource for parents. The organization recently added former president of the American Academy of Optometry Foundation, Mark Bullimore, to its Advisory Committee; Bullimore will further help Myopia Focus to “utilize academia’s influence in driving public policy” and boost its petition to change children’s eye care funding, says Higginbotham.

For more information and to sign the petition, visit www.change.org/myopiafocus