Building on the recent work by International Myopia Institute (IMI), including its white paper on the role of light in myopia[1], Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) and Review of Myopia Management are partnering once again for Myopia Awareness Week. The partnership aims to spotlight the critical role of early detection and timely intervention, as well as key lifestyle factors, in reducing the growing burden of myopia worldwide.
Myopia Awareness Week will run from the 18th to 24th of May. This year’s campaign theme, “Start Early, Protect Vision for Life!” is the call to action, focusing on early intervention and prevention by beginning regular eye exams early in life. Along with adopting regular eye exams, we are encouraging parents, educators, caregivers, and health professionals to support healthy lifestyle habits by engaging children in daily outdoor activity for a minimum of two hours per day.
HEAR FROM BHVI AND RMM LEADERS
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Review of Myopia Management for the third consecutive year for this globally important eye health initiative,” said BHVI CEO Yvette Waddell. “Each year, we are reaching more clinicians, increasing awareness of myopia and its impact on eye health, while also highlighting the growing opportunities for clinicians to manage, and slow its progression in their patients.”
“This year, we are bringing in a greater public health focus to the campaign, equipping clinicians with resources to help raise awareness of myopia among the public and the steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of school-aged children developing it.”
“Myopia Awareness Week is more than just a campaign–it is a coordinated effort to protect the vision and futures of the next generation,” said Kristen Dalli, executive editor of Review of Myopia Management. “We all know that early myopia intervention is key to long-term eye health, and getting involved in Myopia Awareness Week further solidifies that message. The changes we make today mean we can prevent the onset or slow the progression of myopia and see longer tomorrow.”
GETTING INVOLVED
This year, the partnership is championing three clear actions:
- Booking regular eye examinations for school aged children.
- Encouraging daily outdoor play for a minimum of two to three hours.
- Continue to spread the word about myopia and effects on eye health.
Coinciding with Myopia Awareness Week, BHVI will be releasing a new feature for the Myopia Calculator, enhancing the capabilities of the Risk of Myopia function to assist clinicians in having more informed, meaningful and ultimately impactful conversations with patients who may be at risk of developing myopia due to genetic and lifestyle factors.
The partnership invites eyecare professionals, educators, community organizations and advocates to join the movement by sharing key messages across your networks. To make participation simple and impactful, the partnership will release a complimentary campaign toolkit featuring ready-to-use graphics, posters and educational resources ahead of the campaign.
If your clinic or organization would like to be a support of Myopia Awareness Week and featured on the official campaign website, please click here.
References
[1] Ashby R, Harb EN, Ostrin LA, et al. IMI: The Role of Light in Refractive Development and Myopia: Evidence from Animal and Human Studies. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2025;66(15):5. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.
