“Urgent” Need for Long-Term Myopia Management in UK

A new Ipsos survey of 1,000 UK parents (1) commissioned by Essilor has revealed a serious lack of understanding around myopia in children. The poll highlights huge gaps in knowledge amongst parents. For example,

• 94 percent of parents of myopic children wrongly believe that wearing glasses will solve the problem.
• Half (54 percent) of the parents were unaware that “the earlier myopia starts, the faster it progresses and the more serious it can become.”
• Almost half (48 percent) of all parents were aware that very short-sighted people have an increased risk of sight threatening eye complications, with the same amount unaware that myopia is progressing faster today than in previous generations.
• Almost two thirds of parents (61 percent) admitted to finding it increasingly difficult to know exactly what to do to ensure that their child is and remains in good health.

The majority of parents take a short-term view of myopia management, focusing on immediate compensation for the problem, overlooking the importance of follow-ups once the correction is in place and the existence of solutions to slow down the progression.

• After correction, 69 percent of parents of myopic children are no longer really worried about their child’s eyesight.
• 79 percent  of parents of myopic children wrongly believe that their child’s myopia is likely to improve.
• Three quarters (76 percent) have not heard about spectacle lenses to slow down the progression of myopia.

Charlotte Timbury, Dispensing Optician and Director of Medical & Professional Affairs for EssilorLuxottica North Europe said: “Myopia must be addressed and managed as soon as possible in childhood. [Thankfully], recent developments in myopia control spectacle lenses can help this.”

Essilor is currently working with Mumsnet.com to host an “ask the expert” Q&A answering questions on the topic of myopia and eye health. Earlier this year, the company also launched a multi-channel media campaign across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Amazon Prime and Disney+ to help spread awareness of myopia management.