Model pupils

Aston University senior lecturer, Dr Nicola Logan, outlined the importance of beginning myopia management early during her presentation, Evidence base for myopia management, at the College of Optometrists' annual conference, Optometry Tomorrow (18–19 March, Birmingham).

Dr Logan highlighted that advances in myopia research have given clinicians many different tools to predict who will become myopic.

“You might want to keep an eye on children who are not myopic yet but they have a low rate of hyperopia,” she shared.

Dr Logan suggested that practitioners could call these patients back to practice earlier for their next appointment.

Other factors to consider include whether there is a history of myopia in the patient’s family – for example, if both of a child’s parents are myopic.

Dr Logan explained that the younger a child is when they start showing signs of myopia, the more likely it is that their rate of progression will be high.

“The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome,” she added.

Managing parent expectations is key when introducing myopia management, Dr Logan shared.

“It’s important that you explain that a child is likely to continue to progress but at a lower rate,” she observed.

Contact lenses, including the CE marked MiSight, are one option for practitioners to consider as a myopia management tool.

Dr Logan shared that practitioners should reinforce the importance of contact lens compliance and hygiene with children through regular appointments.

Although some parents are concerned about the safety of their child, Dr Logan highlighted that rates of microbial keratitis are minimal among eight to 12-year-olds and lower than among teenagers.

Contact lens compliance is also generally better among children than adolescents.

Image credit: Aston University