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Canadian Association of Optometrists Launches Myopia Awareness Campaign

October 8, 2024

Photo Credit: Canadian Association of Optometrists

OTTAWA, Ontario, Canada — The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) has launched a new national myopia awareness campaign in honor of Children Vision Month.

The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about myopia and enlighten parents and caregivers about the crucial significance of annual eye exams for children. Several provincial associations of optometrists (New Brunswick Association of OptometristsNewfoundland & Labrador Association of OptometristsNova Scotia Association of Optometrists, and The Prince Edward Island Association of Optometrists) and sponsors from the industry — Alcon, CooperVision, and Sun Pharma Canada — joined and supported the campaign.

“It is important to remember that once myopia has progressed, the person’s vision won’t come back. You can slow — even potentially stop — progression, but not reverse or resolve it afterwards. This is why we need to focus on prevention and early detection,” said Dr. Martin Spiro, President of the Canadian Association of Optometrists. “It is crucial that children get a comprehensive eye exam annually. It is never too soon to see an optometrist.”

The CAO recommends that parents schedule comprehensive eye exams for their children starting at six to nine months, then again between the ages of 2 and 5 years, and annually thereafter to age 19. After 19, eye development stabilizes, allowing check-ups every two years for healthy adults with no known eye conditions.

Annual eye exams are crucial, even if no symptoms are evident, to catch potential issues early and ensure timely intervention. The optometrist will perform tests to determine if there is a prescription for myopia, and the best treatment options to slow down the progress of myopia.

Beyond the exam room, parents and caregivers can maintain good habits to minimize the impact of myopia and protect their children’s sight. Studies have shown that an hour of outdoor time each day for children may help to delay the onset of myopia.1,2

CAO also recommends limiting screen time. As they enter school, it may be challenging to limit screen time as their visual demand is increased with virtual schooling and electronic entertainment. Therefore, getting into a good habit of taking regular breaks from screens every 30-60 minutes helps relax their eyes. For all children, screen time is not recommended at least one hour before bedtime, to help with better sleep.

“Annual comprehensive eye exams are vital for helping children see brilliantly,” said Vanessa Johari Hansen, Country Business Unit Head, Vision Care, at Alcon Canada. “According to CAO and recent studies, the increased use of digital devices in schools and for entertainment is elevating concerns of digital eye strain and dry eyes.3,4 At Alcon, we are committed to addressing these issues and promoting life-long eye health.”

Healthy vision is an important part of a child’s overall well-being, allowing them to succeed in their everyday activities in school and on the playing field. The national campaign prompts parents and caregivers to take proactive steps about children’s eye health and provides resources to find their local optometrist.

The campaign assets will run throughout October on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify in both official languages to raise awareness about childhood myopia.

“In the short term, myopia takes away from children their ability to fully participate in everyday life. Correcting it is only part of the battle since the condition can worsen as a child continues to grow,” said Enrique Contreras, Country Manager, CooperVision Canada. “As a global leader in myopia control and management for children, we are committed to providing solutions specifically developed to control that progression, which can significantly reduce the risk of myopia-related complications and vision loss later in life.”

 

References

1 Guo Y et al. Outdoor jogging and myopia progression in school children from rural Beijing: the Beijing children eye study. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2019;8(2):2-2

2 Xiong S et al. Time spent in outdoor activities in relation to myopia prevention and control: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Acta Ophthalmol. 2017;95(6):551-566.

3 Sheppard AM et al. Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2018 3(1):e000146.

4 Mohan A et al. Prevalence and risk factor assessment of digital eye strain among children using online e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: Digital eye strain among kids (DESK study-1). Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021;69(1):140-144.

 

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