Myopia management resource updated

Resource is for both parents and practitioners

Myopia Profile has upgraded its My Kids Vision website – the free resource for parents providing evidence-based information on myopia and its management. 

My Kids Vision is designed as a one-stop, trusted, research-referenced resource to which eyecare practitioners can refer parents as they navigate through their child’s myopia management journey. The updated Knowledge Centre now offers more than 40 articles explaining myopia, treatment options, and children’s vision including age-specific and topic categories for babies and toddlers, children, teenagers and young adults.

A new resource on the website offers printable graphics with QR codes that eyecare professionals can share with parents during the consultation. These promote targeted reading and information on different aspects of myopia, treatment options, and management principles.

Myopia Profile co-founders and My Kids Vision developers, Dr Kate Gifford and Dr Paul Gifford, have a combined five decades plus of ocular science experience. They have authored more than 150 peer reviewed and professional publications and have presented more than 250 conference lectures around the world, primarily on clinical myopia management.

Dr Paul Gifford said: “Communicating the entire myopia message can be time-consuming and can be a barrier to managing myopia. Our substantially expanded My Kids Vision website helps overcome this barrier. ECPs can now display a webpage or print a QR code sheet for parents to immediately see relevant content on their phone while they are in the office, or to read after the appointment.”

My Kids Vision also offers a six-question parent survey and advice on addressing a child’s risk of myopia development or progression. Questions cover topics including genetic risks (e.g. myopic parents), environmental factors (e.g. screen time and outdoor activity), and individual risks (e.g. age and if a child already wears glasses for distance vision).

“Communication is arguably the key ingredient in successful myopia management,” explained Dr Kate Gifford. “We developed My Kids Vision as an information tool for eyecare professionals to assist parents in understanding myopia and steps to help their children. It is also a powerful public awareness tool, encouraging parents to speak with a professional.

“Myopia is something that every parent should be aware of but may not know about. Our new Knowledge Centre is designed to support parents and eyecare professionals working together. That assists children with myopia to have the best possible vision now and best possible eye health outcomes into their adult lives.”

Several key features of MyKidsVision.org are currently available in six languages. Additional languages for the Knowledge Center and other content are in development.