Confronting the Myopia Epidemic: Innovations and Interventions in Asia

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Confronting the Myopia Epidemic: Innovations and Interventions in Asia
Confronting the Myopia Epidemic: Innovations and Interventions in Asia

Myopia is swiftly emerging as a global epidemic, posing a significant threat to long-term vision health. With projections indicating that 50% of the world's population will be affected by 20501, urgent action is essential to implement effective myopia control strategies, particularly among younger age groups where prevalence is on the rise. CooperVision assumes a pivotal role in combating the myopia epidemic by providing a suite of solutions designed to control myopia, rather than merely correcting it.

Prevalence of Myopia in Asia

Myopia prevalence is at an alarming rate in East Asia:

  • High prevalence of myopia in Asian countries, exceeding 80% among young adults in some regions.2
  • Up to 90% of young adults in Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and China are affected by myopia.3,4,5,6,7
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Source: Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et. al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036 1042.

Myopia is swiftly emerging as a global epidemic, posing a significant threat to long-term vision health. With projections indicating that 50% of the world's population will be affected by 20501, urgent action is essential to implement effective myopia control strategies, particularly among younger age groups where prevalence is on the rise. CooperVision assumes a pivotal role in combating the myopia epidemic by providing a suite of solutions designed to control myopia, rather than merely correcting it.

Prevalence of Myopia in Asia

Myopia prevalence is at an alarming rate in East Asia:

  • High prevalence of myopia in Asian countries, exceeding 80% among young adults in some regions.2
  • Up to 90% of young adults in Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and China are affected by myopia.3,4,5,6,7
...
Source: Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et. al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036 1042.

Emergence of Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses have emerged as a popular option for myopia control, offering a convenient and effective alternative to traditional methods. Coopervision's MiSight® 1 day - the world's first US approved soft contact lens to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8-12 years at the initiation of treatment.

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Slows myopia progression by approximately 50%7

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9/10 children between contact lens to spectacles8

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Strong safety profile as they are 1-day lenses9

Role of Eye Care Professionals (ECPs)

In Asia, clinics are progressively incorporating innovative interventions into their myopia control programs, offering patients a holistic approach to managing myopia. Ophthalmologists and Optometrists are pivotal in prescribing and overseeing these interventions, ensuring their effectiveness and safety. However, despite these strides, ECPs face challenges such as patient adherence, highlighting the importance of continuous education and support.

The Way Forward

Despite challenges, the future of myopia control in Asia and across the globe looks promising, driven by technological advancements.

However, regulatory standards must evolve to ensure patient safety. Continued research and collaboration are essential in advancing myopia control practices and addressing the evolving needs of patients. CooperVision organizes the Asia-Pacific Myopia Management Symposium (APMMS) to support ECPs in fostering a collaborative environment, empowering them to address the urgency of myopia progression urgently. This annual gathering fosters the exchange of ideas and innovations crucial to combating the myopia epidemic.

Addressing the rising prevalence of myopia requires urgent action. By embracing innovation and enhancing clinical practices, we can effectively manage myopia and safeguard long-term vision health through awareness, accessibility, and research collaboration, building a brighter future for generations to come.

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Reference

  1. Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036 1042.
  2. Jung SK, Lee JH, Kakizaki H, Jee D. Prevalence of myopia and its association with body stature and educational level in 19-year-old male conscripts in seoul, South Korea. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2012;53:5579-83.
  3. Lin LL, Shih YF, Hsiao CK, Chen CJ. Prevalence of myopia in Taiwanese schoolchildren: 1983 to 2000. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2004;33:27-33.
  4. Quek TP, Chua CG, Chong CS, et al. Prevalence of refractive errors in teenage high school students in Singapore. Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians 2004;24:47-55.
  5. He M, Zeng J, Liu Y, Xu J, Pokharel GP, Ellwein LB. Refractive error and visual impairment in urban children in southern china. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2004;45:793-9.
  6. Matsumura H, Hirai H. Prevalence of myopia and refractive changes in students from 3 to 17 years of age. Survey of ophthalmology 1999;44 Suppl 1:S109-15.
  7. Arumugam B, Bradley A, Hammond D, Chamberlain P. Modelling Age Effects of Myopia Progression for the MiSight 1 day Clinical Trial. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2021;62(8):2333.
  8. Sulley A et al. Wearer experience and subjective responses with dual focus compared to spherical, single vision soft contact lenses in children. Optom Vis Sci 2019; 96: E abstract 195252.
  9. Woods, J., Jones, D., Jones, L., Jones, S., Hunt, C., Chamberlain, P., & McNally, J. (2021). Ocular health of children wearing daily disposable contact lenses over a 6 year period. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye.