The case for treating all children with myopia control interventions

Abstract

With the growing rates of myopia across the world and the potentially devastating effect of myopia-associated pathology in later life, should we be treating all children with myopia control interventions? Conversely, interventions are not without side effects such as impact on visual function, increased risk of ocular infection and possible ocular surface effects from long-term applications. The focus of this Point–Counterpoint article is to weigh up whether the risks outweigh the benefits of treating all children with myopia control interventions until there is a way to predict accurately those that will benefit substantially from them. Untreatable retinal pathology is life changing, impacting an individual's ability to work, their independence and their mental health. Therefore, this issue cannot be taken lightly. The focus on healthcare in most countries across the world is shifting towards prevention rather than a ‘cure’ as this is generally more economically viable for already stretched healthcare systems. As retinal pathology associated with myopia typically takes decades to become evident in an individual, the eye care community and regulatory agencies will need to take a stance on this question before there is definitive evidence as to the potential tsunami of myopia-associated visual impairment in their population. Here, Xiangui He and Nicola Logan debate whether the case for treating all children with myopia control interventions is warranted or not.