Much of the world is coming to terms with the rise of myopia and the many new products and therapies to help control it, but in some less-developed nations, such things are seemingly out of reach.
Imagine this: You’re five years old, just starting school, eager to learn and excited to play but you can’t make out the words on the board and you’re having to rely on your classmates for help.
Your confidence fades and you begin to withdraw.
But education equals opportunity and opportunity starts with vision.
In Australia and New Zealand, access to eyecare is something many of us take for granted. A simple eye exam and a pair of glasses can drastically improve quality-of-life, especially for those with low myopia.
With the global rise in myopia, there is an increasing focus on myopia-control strategies, including specially designed lenses aimed at slowing progression.
Meanwhile, in developing countries, the need is far more basic: millions still live with uncorrected myopia. There, it’s not about advanced solutions, it’s about having any solution at all.
While some parts of the world focus on controlling the future of myopia, others are still struggling to meet the most fundamental vision needs.
In July 2025, Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) spent five days visiting primary schools and villages in Fiji as part of their annual ODA Fiji Outreach Project. I was fortunate to be one of the volunteers on a team made up of two optometrists and 12 optical dispensers.
We arrived equipped with vision screening tools and hundreds of donated pre-made spectacles to provide eye tests and dispense glasses to those in need.
Many of the children we examined in Fiji required basic correction just to see the classroom board. Sadly, some had previously been labelled as having learning disabilities or behavioural problems due to their inability to read from the board. The possibility of a refractive error was not even considered by teachers or families.
We saw many shy children walk in, avoiding eye contact. After being fitted with glasses, they would walk out grinning, waving to their friends and feeling transformed by the ability to see clearly.
The spectacles revealed a world of opportunity. For some, this simple intervention reshaped their entire future.
Here is just one story of many that stood out that we were honoured to witness: A 13-year-old boy who had realised his vision was poor compared to that of his friends came straight from school when he heard ODA was in the village.
After his screening, we gave him a pair of -2.00D spectacles. He sat quietly, looking around in awe as he took in the birds, the leaves, the other children. He had never seen the world in such clarity.
With limited resources in Fiji, something as basic as a pair of prescription glasses becomes a powerful first step toward a brighter, more confident life.
In contrast, Australia and New Zealand offer a wide range of advanced myopia management options. These include contact lenses, myopia control lenses, atropine eye drops, ortho-k and even red-light therapy.
The opportunities to manage this condition are extensive. Dispensing to a myopic child isn’t just part of your job, it’s a responsibility. Each child is different, and recommendations should be tailored to their needs, lifestyle, and age.
It’s a privilege to be able to provide the right tools and guidance.
Among the most common options available today are advanced myopia control lenses, such as HOYA’s MiYOSMART. These lenses use special technology that corrects central vision while a surrounding honeycomb-like treatment zone slows the eye’s growth.
Clinical studies show that children wearing MiYOSMART lenses experience up to 60% less myopia progression compared to those wearing standard single vision lenses.
For these lenses to be effective, accuracy in dispensing is crucial. Optical dispensers must carefully select frames and ensure precise measurements for proper function and comfortable wear.
In addition to providing solutions, we also need to raise awareness. Eyecare professionals must educate families about the signs of myopia, which include:
• Squinting
• Sitting close to the TV
• Holding books closely
• Trouble seeing distant objects
• Frequent headaches
• Excessive eye rubbing or blinking.
Early intervention is key. The sooner myopia is detected and managed, the better the outcomes for the child.
Every young eye presents a chance to change a life.
About the author: Ms Shayla Gully is a registered dispensing optician working at Shattky Optometrists in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. She is also a member of Optical Dispensers Australia.
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