University of Bradford helps reach agreement on myopia

The University of Bradford's School of Optometry and Vision Sciences played a major part in this.

Professor Edward Mallen and Dr Matt Cufflin at the University of Bradford (Image: University of Bradford)

Dr Neema Ghorbani-Mojarrad from the university, along with Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, gathered a panel of 34 UK and Ireland experts on myopia.

The group comprised optometrists, ophthalmologists, and researchers, all seasoned practitioners or scholars in myopia research.

The outcome of this effort is the paper titled 'The 2024 UK and Ireland Modified Delphi Consensus on Myopia Management in Children and Young People.'

Kathryn Webber, left, uses some of the university’s optometry equipment (Image: University of Bradford)

It contains 131 unanimous statements, such as the need for publicly funded interventions for children at risk of severe myopia.

Dr Ghorbani-Mojarrad said: "This study consists of the largest UK and Ireland Delphi expert panel to be coordinated for the topic of myopia and myopia management.

"It is hoped that this study will help eye care practitioners and the ophthalmic industry across the UK and Ireland understand the thoughts and current recommendations of experts in the field of myopia from an evidence-led understanding, and what areas of uncertainty are still present."

The paper concludes with a call for further research to pinpoint those most at risk of worsening myopia.