17 August 2022

College publishes new guidance and evidence review on myopia management

We have reviewed the evidence available and produced new guidance to support the growing number of optometrists offering myopia management interventions.

Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom DipTp(IP), Clinical Adviser at The College of Optometrists explains: "To make our position on myopia management clearer and offer guidance that’s easier for our members to use, we have now separated our recommendations from the evidence review. 

"Whether myopia is within your scope of practice or not, you should make sure that you have the relevant knowledge and can hold a discussion with patients and their parents about myopia, how it is treated (including the evidence) and the benefits and risks of myopia management. This will help them make an informed decision."

This guidance is for all optometrists providing eye care for children at risk of myopia or with progressing myopia.

Related further reading

Adrian O’Dowd explores whether the global rises in myopia and diabetes are linked and whether insulin resistance and diet can affect sight.

One thing is certain: I wasn’t expecting the events of the last 10 weeks to take place when I wrote my last Optometry in Practice editorial in February this year.

Becky McCall analyses the evidence that working distance increases the risk of myopia in children, and the escalation of time spent on screens is related to the surging incidence of myopia around the world.