Abstract
Purpose
Myopia is a global public health issue; however, no information exists as to how potential
myopia retardation strategies are being adopted globally.
Methods
A self-administrated, internet-based questionnaire was distributed in six languages,
through professional bodies to eye care practitioners globally. The questions examined:
awareness of increasing myopia prevalence, perceived efficacy and adoption of available
strategies, and reasons for not adopting specific strategies.
Results
Of the 971 respondents, concern was higher (median 9/10) in Asia than in any other
continent (7/10, p < 0.001) and they considered themselves more active in implementing myopia control strategies
(8/10) than Australasia and Europe (7/10), with North (4/10) and South America (5/10)
being least proactive (p < 0.001). Orthokeratology was perceived to be the most effective method of myopia control,
followed by increased time outdoors and pharmaceutical approaches, with under-correction
and single vision spectacles felt to be the least effective (p < 0.05). Although significant intra-regional differences existed, overall most practitioners
67.5 (±37.8)% prescribed single vision spectacles or contact lenses as the primary
mode of correction for myopic patients. The main justifications for their reluctance
to prescribe alternatives to single vision refractive corrections were increased cost
(35.6%), inadequate information (33.3%) and the unpredictability of outcomes (28.2%).
Conclusions
Regardless of practitioners’ awareness of the efficacy of myopia control techniques,
the vast majority still prescribe single vision interventions to young myopes. In
view of the increasing prevalence of myopia and existing evidence for interventions
to slow myopia progression, clear guidelines for myopia management need to be established.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 16, 2016
Accepted:
February 3,
2016
Received in revised form:
February 3,
2016
Received:
February 1,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
