From the Guidelines
Improving myopia awareness in rural populations requires a multi-faceted approach combining education, accessible screening, and community engagement. Local health workers should be trained to conduct basic vision screenings in schools and community centers, educating residents about myopia symptoms like difficulty seeing distant objects, squinting, and headaches 1. Mobile eye care units can provide periodic screenings and basic refractive services in areas with limited healthcare access. Educational materials should be developed in local languages with visual aids for those with limited literacy, explaining that myopia is correctable with glasses and that untreated myopia can worsen over time. Community leaders and teachers should be engaged as advocates, helping to reduce stigma associated with wearing glasses. School-based programs are particularly effective, as they can identify children with myopia early when intervention is most beneficial. Simple preventive measures should be promoted, including spending more time outdoors (at least 1-2 hours daily), taking regular breaks during near-work activities (following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds), and maintaining proper reading distance and lighting 1.
Some key points to consider:
- Barriers to eye care extend beyond inadequate screening and diagnosis, and may include inadequate information, lack of access to care, limited financial means, and insurance coverage and/or reimbursement issues 1.
- The optimal provision of eye and vision care for children involves an organized program of vision screening in the primary care and community settings, including access for comprehensive eye examinations when indicated and provision of refractive correction as needed 1.
- There is evidence that uncorrected peripheral hyperopic defocus may lead to worsening of axial myopia in children who might otherwise have other uncorrected refractive errors alone 1.
- Globally, 10 million individuals are estimated to have visual impairment from myopic macular degeneration, and 3.3 million of them are blind, with these numbers estimated to grow to 55.7 million people with visual impairment and 18.5 million individuals with blindness by 2050 unless new strategies to control myopia are implemented 1.
Overall, a comprehensive approach to improving myopia awareness in rural populations is crucial, and should prioritize education, accessible screening, and community engagement, with a focus on promoting simple preventive measures and reducing barriers to eye care 1.
From the Research
Myopia Awareness in Rural Populations
- Myopia awareness is often poor in rural populations, with a significant unmet need for spectacles 2
- The prevalence of myopia is increasing among children in rural areas, especially those in private schools, with a strong inverse association with time spent outdoors 2
- Studies have shown that myopia is more prevalent in urban than in rural areas, but the difference is decreasing over time 3, 4
Improving Myopia Awareness
- Regular screening and lifestyle modification are essential to improve myopia awareness in rural populations 2
- Increasing time spent outdoors can help reduce the risk of myopia, and awareness about modifiable risk factors is crucial 2
- Optical interventions, such as contact lenses, can help slow the progression of myopia, and early intervention can significantly reduce the burden of myopia 5, 6
Challenges and Future Directions
- The economic burden of myopia is significant, and addressing the issue requires a comprehensive approach that includes awareness, prevention, and treatment 5, 4
- Further research is needed to understand the environmental factors that affect the onset and progression of myopia in rural populations, and to develop effective strategies for improving myopia awareness and reducing the prevalence of myopia 3