In focus: Getting myopia under control

Myopia is reaching epidemic proportions with prevalence in some parts of the world rising to over 80% of the population. It is estimated that by the year 2020, 2.5bn people will be myopic globally. So why is a Bath practitioner, running a successful high end practice in a chichi British historic town, leading the charge?

Optometrist Mike Killpartrick, owner of Ellis & Killpartrick and Association of Independent Optometrists council member accepts that in the short term at least he is not going to make any money out of educating the public about myopia. However, he says taking the longer term view becoming the go to place for myopia controls is a great way to build trust with patients, grow your reputation in the local area and, more to the point: ‘It’s what good independent opticians should be doing.’