Myopia survey highlights parents lack of understanding

A survey commissioned by Essilor found that 94% of parents of myopic children wrongly believed that wearing spectacles would solve the problem.  

Market research company Ipsos surveyed 1,000 UK parents and Essilor said the findings highlighted a serious lack of understanding around myopia in children.  

Of the parents who responded, including those without myopic children, 51% were unaware that the earlier myopia started, the faster it progressed and more serious it could be.  

Charlotte Timbury, dispensing optician and director of medical and professional affairs for EssilorLuxottica North Europe, said: ‘It’s evident that many parents and even those whose children are myopic, lack accurate information about myopia. Worryingly, many think that simply making their child wear glasses with corrective lenses solves the problem, unaware that myopia can progress even with corrective lenses.’