PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, August 22, 2017

International experts team up to discuss myopia

A panel of international speakers will present an overview of an eye health epidemic which threatens to affect 50 per cent of the world’s population by 2050.

Myopia is a growing problem across the world, with latest research suggesting that short-sightedness is expected to become a leading cause of permanent blindness in the years ahead.

To tackle the problem – which is rapidly becoming a key topic among optometrists and contact lens practitioners – Aston University is staging a dedicated Myopia Management Meeting.

Experts including Kate Gifford, Jan Roelof Polling, Gillian Bruce and Katie Harrop will all lead discussion group sessions before a round table discussion featuring representatives from the AOP, the College of Optometrists, the General Optical Council and industry. 

Sponsored by CooperVision and Zeiss and facilitated by the British Contact Lens Association, the event is aimed at optometrists and contact lens opticians in practice with an interest in myopia management and control in children.

Dr Nicola Logan, a senior lecturer in optometry at Aston University, said: “The day brings together a wide range of international speakers who are experts in their field. It will consist of introductory lectures to the topic areas followed by discussion groups facilitated by the speakers.”
The expert panel will share their current knowledge of myopia development and explain the current thinking in terms of myopia management and control.
The use of soft dual focus and/or multifocal contact lenses, orthokeratology, atropine and spectacles for myopia control will be explored in detail and there will be the opportunity for delegates to speak with the experts and ask specific questions.
The day will be staged ahead of the 16th International Myopia Conference, which will also feature the Chew Sek Jin memorial lecture, delivered by Dr Christine Wildsoet and entitled ‘Lessons from animal models of myopia – a cautionary tale’, while Ian Morgan will use ‘big data’ technology to look at the association between risk factors and refractive error.
Places for the meeting, which takes place at Conference Aston Meeting Suites, Aston University, Birmingham on Wednesday, 13th September 2017, can be reserved at a cost of £75, which includes refreshments and lunch.

For more information email [email protected] or telephone Dr Nicola Logan on 0121 2044128.

Notes to editors

• For interviews, call Daniel Owens from Orange Juice Communications on 07909 916668 or email [email protected].