Naik, A.; Karthikeyan, S.K.; Ramesh, J.J.; Bhaskar, S.; Ganapathi, C.A.; Biswas, S. An Insight into Knowledge, Perspective, and Practices of Indian Optometrists towards Childhood Myopia. Vision2024, 8, 22.
Naik, A.; Karthikeyan, S.K.; Ramesh, J.J.; Bhaskar, S.; Ganapathi, C.A.; Biswas, S. An Insight into Knowledge, Perspective, and Practices of Indian Optometrists towards Childhood Myopia. Vision 2024, 8, 22.
Naik, A.; Karthikeyan, S.K.; Ramesh, J.J.; Bhaskar, S.; Ganapathi, C.A.; Biswas, S. An Insight into Knowledge, Perspective, and Practices of Indian Optometrists towards Childhood Myopia. Vision2024, 8, 22.
Naik, A.; Karthikeyan, S.K.; Ramesh, J.J.; Bhaskar, S.; Ganapathi, C.A.; Biswas, S. An Insight into Knowledge, Perspective, and Practices of Indian Optometrists towards Childhood Myopia. Vision 2024, 8, 22.
Abstract
Knowledge of clinical approaches and barriers in managing childhood myopia is limited. This study explores optometrists' knowledge, attitude, and practice towards childhood myopia. A 26-item survey was circulated online among practising optometrists in India. The questionnaire assessed the demographics, knowledge, self-reported clinical practice behaviour, barriers, source of information guiding their management, and extent of adult caregiver engagement for childhood myopia. Of 393 responses, a significant proportion of respondents (32.6%–92.4%) were unaware of the ocular complications associated with high myopia, with less than half (46.5%) routinely measuring axial length in clinical practice. Despite the improved awareness of emerging myopia management options, the uptake remains generally poor, with single-vision distance full correction spectacles (70.3%) being the most common mode of vision correction. Barriers to adopting emerging evidence are medico-legal concerns and the absence of clinical practice guidelines. Original research articles were the primary source of information supporting clinical practice. Most (>70%) respondents considered involving the adult caregiver in their child's clinical decision-making process. While practitioner knowledge, perspective, and practice are improving, childhood myopia management evidence is constantly evolving and remains inconclusive. Evidence-based practice guidelines and continuing education on myopia control might be helpful for practitioners in improving their clinical decision-making skills.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
