A new organisation aiming to address confusion surrounding myopia management in children in Australia is hosting a one-day conference in September focussing on progression.
Sydney based paediatric ophthalmologist Dr Loren Rose recently founded Myopia Australia in part to assist further education on best management. Rose completed her PhD earlier this year on myopia progression in children.
“Many new approaches and treatment options have entered the market to slow myopia progression in children. This development is both exciting and confusing,” she said.
Myopia Australia’s inaugural Myopia Progression in Children Conference (MPIC 2022) will take place in Sydney on 3 September and will address the current treatment options in a sequential safe program.
Rose said it would be an all-day event with industry participation and open interactions.
“Eye health professionals are invited to learn and interact with the latest research-proven methods for monitoring and intervening in myopia progression in children,” she said.
A comprehensive management plan for myopia progression in children and a panel discussion of difficult cases and guidelines on referral recommendations for other tests and imaging will be included as part of the conference.
“I hear the confusion on best management among patients, their carers, and eye health providers daily,” Rose said.
“There is now a need for clarity and safe treatment guidelines. The treatment guidelines should include how to best monitor progression, when to treat and when to change treatment.
“There is also confusion about when to cease treatment and understand some of the potential pitfalls of treating children with myopia progression. Additionally, guidelines and best practices will need to be reviewed regularly as more treatment options become available.”
Rose is a clinical senior lecturer at Macquarie University and involved in ophthalmic registrar training as a Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) at Bankstown Hospital. She also works in clinics in Bankstown, Wentworthville and Canberra.
“My interest in myopia progression in my patients triggered my passion for further knowledge and analysis of intervention strategies as they have become available,” Rose said.
“The treatment options are wide and have a risk-to-benefit profile like any intervention. Completing my PhD on myopia in children earlier this year has enabled me to understand the fast-evolving research in this space further.
“I hope that Myopia Australia becomes the knowledge base to synthesise the research here and worldwide and continue to guide the treatment of myopia progression in children.”
Optometry Australia has allocated up to 5 (3.75T) CPD hours to attend the conference virtually via live stream, and up to 6i (4.75T) CPD hours to attend in person. Register online at www.myopiaaustralia.com.au.
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