The Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) announced that two international organizations have joined its fight against pediatric myopia: the Singapore Optometric Association (SOA) and Optometry Australia (OA).
First up: GMAC.
In its fifth year of operations, GMAC is an industry coalition of leading ophthalmic companies and eye health associations within the United States, the United Kingdom, and now Australia and Asia.
- See the complete list of members.
- To note: In 2023, the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) became the 21st member of the industry coalition.
So … what’s the organization's purpose?
Essentially, GMAC’s primary goal is to raise public awareness and understanding of childhood myopia as a treatable disease.
- To note: While the organization doesn’t advocate for specific clinical approaches, its efforts involve stimulating public interest and prompting parental conversations regarding the growing prevalence and consequences of myopia, as well as management and treatment, with eyecare professionals (ECPs).
And what have its efforts looked like?
Since forming 2019, GMAC has launched five U.S.-based, consumer-targeted campaigns that seek to raise myopia awareness among children and motivate patients to inquire about new treatment options.
- See here for a look at its milestone achievements so far.
Nice! Let’s talk leadership.
Heading up the organization is 2024 Board Chair Olga Prenat, EssilorLuxottica’s head of Medical and Professional Affairs, Global EMEA.
- See the complete list of 2024 Board of Directors
Disclaimer: Matt Geller, OD, Eyes On Eyecare’s founder and CEO, is a member of the Board of Directors.
Now, on to these new (international) members.
We’ll start with SOA.
The organization refers to Singapore as the “myopic capital in the world,” as just over 80% of pediatric patients in the country develop myopia by the age of 18.
In fact, projections have estimated that 80% to 90% of all Singaporean adults +18 years of age will be myopic by 2050.
- Even further: 15% to 25% of these adults could potentially have high myopia, putting them at risk for late-in-life eye disorders such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Moving on to OA …
The not-for-profit national organization collaborates with five state divisions within Australia.
The myopia focus: As outlined in its Strategic Plan for 2024-2027, OA’s pillar of strategies involves providing “clinical guidance and education to facilitate best practice and assist optometrists to work to full scope,” specifically in relation to myopia management.
How prevalent is myopia in Australia?
By 2050, it’s estimated that 4.1 million Australians will be high myopes—compared to just 1.1 million high myopes in 2020.
And OA’s efforts so far?
In the 2022/23 Australia and New Zealand Child Myopia Report, the OA acknowledged a recent push for myopia management in the countries via the establishment of a standard of care in 2018.
Three key actions were noted for parents and ECPs:
- Have a child’s eyes tested by an optometrist (OD)
- Be aware that myopia can be managed
- Know which questions to ask and start a conversation with an OD
However, the organization concluded that there remains an urgent need for a greater focus in preventing and managing myopia as well as increasing awareness surrounding the importance of regular eye exams for children.
So why join GMAC?
OA CEO Skye Cappuccio noted the critical need for taking action to reduce the local and global impact of myopia.
“We welcome the opportunity to partner with the ophthalmic sector and eye health associations internationally to increase awareness of the increasing prevalence and consequences of myopia, and of the plethora of management options available,” she stated.
Similarly, SOA President Lee Kang Lian stated: “Through our collaboration with GMAC, we aim to share resources, materials, and strategies to better advocate for and address myopia management among optometrists and the public.”