(PRESS RELEASE) ST. LOUIS — The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) are excited to announce their support of the Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) Myopia Awareness Week, May 24-28, 2021. This global initiative is aimed to bring attention to the growing epidemic of myopia in children across the world.
“Myopia is arguably the most widespread epidemic faced by the global optometry community and we must increase our efforts to combat this public health issue,” said WCO President, Paul Folkesson.
Myopia is projected to affect the vision of approximately five billion people globally by 2050, more than doubling today’s numbers.1 Myopic progression has been linked to sight-threatening conditions later in life such as cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma and myopic maculopathy.2
“We are calling on eye care professionals to take action!” said GMAC Board of Directors Chair, Dr. Juan Carlos Aragón. “We encourage ECPs to learn about the most up-to-date management methods and communicate these methods to colleagues, other healthcare professionals, myopic children and their parents, and the wider consumer community.”
The BHVI Myopia Awareness Week focuses on sending key messaging and resources for parents and eye care professionals to raise awareness. Social media toolkits, guidelines, and news are available on the BHVI website at www.bhvi.org.