Practice patterns in managing myopia differs among Indian eye care practitioners

Abstract

Dear Editor, Literature has shown that the prevalence of myopia in India has increased from 4.5% in 1999 to 21.2% in 2019 among children aged 5–15 years.[1] A prediction model using studies done in India estimated an overall 10.53% increase in myopia prevalence over the next three decades.[1] Hussaindeen et al. (2021)[2] cautioned that due to COVID-19 lockdown, the progression of myopia may further accelerate as children spend more time indoors and less time outdoors. Akerman[3] conducted a survey in early 2021 among eye care practitioners (ECPs) in the USA and reported the current attitudes and behaviors regarding myopia management. About 40.0% of the practitioners prescribed single-vision spectacles as the primary mode of correction for myopic patients. More than 50.0% of the ECPs had prescribed multifocal contact lens, visual hygiene, and increased time outdoors. Low-dose atropine (0.01%) and Ortho-K were recommended by about 35.0% of the ECPs, and combinations of treatments were suggested by around 20.0%. The authors used a similar survey to understand the current attitudes and behaviors regarding myopia management among ECPs in India [Fig. 1]. A total of 147 ECPs responded via an online survey, and 81.0% of the ECPs were involved in myopia management among children. Though plethora of treatments are available for managing myopia, about 95.0% of them were still prescribing single-vision spectacles. Increased time outdoors and visual hygiene were suggested by more than 80.0% of the ECPs. Though studies have shown that low-dose atropine[4] and Ortho-K[5] are efficacious in retarding myopia, more than 80.0% of the ECPs have not started practicing these two strategies.Figure 1: Current practice pattern in managing myopia by ECPs in IndiaIn conclusion, this survey of current trends among ECPs in myopia management revealed that despite growing evidence of the increasing prevalence of myopia in India, uptake of appropriate anti-myopia strategies is poor. Low awareness about available products and lack of training among the ECPs in India could be the reasons for the low uptake of anti-myopia strategies. Thus, there is an immediate need to conduct frequent continuing medical education programs focused on myopia management, which should help ECPs to embrace the anti-myopia strategies and tackle this myopia menace.