Myopia, more commonly known as short sightedness, occurs when the eye grows slightly too long. This results in light entering the eye focusing in front of the retina instead of on the retina, as it does with normal vision. This causes distant objects to appear blurred, whereas close objects are seen clearly.
In the last decade or so, there has been a fairly rapid rise in the prevalence of myopia in the UK. There is also a link between myopia and associated ocular pathologies such as cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy, which is a compelling reason for practitioners to use interventions to help minimise myopia progression.
Myopia Management is the broader term used by practitioners to help minimise myopia. This comes in the form of lifestyle advice, special spectacle lenses and contact lens correction.
David Austen Optometry Ltd is proud to be a supporter of myopiafocus.org. MyopiaFocus provides impartial information on myopia and myopia management in children.
Please also consider signing the organisations change.org/myopiafocus campaign to get the NHS to recognise myopia as an ocular disease and fund Myopia Management for Children
