Aravind Eyecare, India’s largest eyecare provider launched a unique and first-of-its- kind myopia management center – Myopia Clinic – at itsCoimbatore branch, in collaboration with ZEISS, the name synonymous with medical tech innovation in Ophthalmology. TheMyopia Clinic will provide the latest treatments that can slow down the progression of myopia in children. Itwill build awareness about addressing the impact of myopia in childrenso that the chances of developing sight-threatening complications are reducedas they grow old.
When the pandemic hit, everyone was locked in their homes. With no outdoor activity, kids took to playing games ontheir smartphones or laptops. Reading increased, classes went online, and theamount of screen time went exponentiallyhigh. In the last two years, several reports suggest that more and more childrenwho went for an eye-checkup hadmyopia – either their power has increased, or they have become myopic. Theincidence is so large that doctors believethat it is also COVID-induced due to lockdown.
*Speaking about the launch, Renowned Ophthalmologist Dr.Kalpana Narendran, Chief – Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus, Aravind Eye Hospital,Coimbatore* said, “Myopia is rising in severity and being diagnosed at a very early age amongstschool children. It is extremely worrying to see such an increase in Myopia (nearsightedness) and its severity makingit a major cause of attention and concern. Myopia is considered“multifactorial”.In addition to genetic causes, the main reasons are environmental and lifestylechanges. Urbanization,digitalization, increased levels of education, more indoor activities, andconsequently a lack of natural lightare considered factorsthat increase the prevalence of myopia. No one in the industrycurrently has the one-and-only treatmentfor reducing myopiabecause of its˝multifactorial˝ causes.”
She added, ‘Withthe launch of this super specialty Myopia Clinic, we aim to build awarenessabout the severity of myopia andoffer parents, children, and young adults the right guidance, counsel, andtechnology to manage myopiaefficiently. We will strive to increase accessibility to Myopia management,with this center being the first we will continue to launch Myopiamanagement centers across India.
*Rohan Paul, BusinessHead, ZEISS Vision Care* said, “we are all aware that Myopia has become a major publichealth problem globally, with a prediction that up to 50% of the worldpopulation will be myopic by 2050 andrecent COVIDlockdowns appear to have only worsened the situation. India’s 1.3 billionpeople make it the second- most populous country in the world,but with an average age of 29, it has one of the youngestpopulations globally. As more patients – and their parents –seek effective interventions, practitioners should prepare to meet this oncoming public health demand. Ourcollaboration with Aravind Eyecare will enable patients to avail specialized treatments which include pharmaceuticalagents like low dose atropine, spectacle lenses like ZEISS MyoVision Pro, ZEISS MyoKids, Orthokeratology (Ortho-K),specially designed contact lenses, and lifestyle modification counseling to slow down the progression Myopia in the future.”
