ST. LOUIS—The World Council of Optometry and Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) have announced 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, according to the joint announcement this week. “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,” WCO president Paul Folkesson said in the announcement.

Myopia is projected to affect the vision of approximately five billion people globally by 2050, more than doubling today’s numbers. Myopic progression has been linked to sight-threatening conditions later in life such as cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma and myopic maculopathy.
 
“We are calling on eyecare 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 health care 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 eyecare professionals to raise awareness. Social media toolkits, guidelines, and news are available on the BHVI website at www.bhvi.org.