2 in 10 parents aware of myopia epidemic, according to Vision Council report
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Only two in 10 parents are aware of the myopia epidemic, and about two in five parents know what myopia is, according to research from the Vision Council.
“It is crucial for eye care providers to proactively educate parents about preventing childhood myopia,” Alysse Henkel, senior director of market research and analytics at the Vision Council, said in a press release from the organization. “Spending time outdoors and limiting screen time are well-researched strategies for preventing myopia in children, but it needs to happen before a child becomes myopic, so early awareness is important.”
The report, Focused inSights 2023: Parental Perspectives on Myopia, was conducted via online survey between Nov. 2 and Nov. 11, 2023, and surveyed 2,209 parents with children aged 5 to 16 years.
Roughly 13% of parents recognized that lack of outdoor time is a risk factor for developing myopia, but 57% recognized that screen time and genetics are risk factors, according to the report. About 37% recognized that vision loss is associated with myopia.
Sixty-two percent of parents indicated that their child’s eye care provider recommended a treatment plan, 42% said their child was given glasses, and 83% said the treatment plan was effective.
“Providing more accessible information on childhood myopia and encouraging parents to monitor their children’s vision issues more closely will be key for the prevention, detection and treatment of myopia in future generations,” Henkel said.
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