Attending the Japan Myopia Society Meeting

Care in the Field of “Myopia in Children”
Before opening (about five years ago), I read many papers and thought through the approach to care in the Takatori Shopping Street.
(To get information from around the world, English-language sources are essential.)

Unlike the immunology and molecular biology research I had enjoyed until then,
and the retina and uveitis care,
I was able to study the world of “ocular optics” extensively.
As I thought at the time, I wrote that “common knowledge in ophthalmology has changed” (regarding explanations of myopia in children).

The content, summarized as clearly as possible, is on the website as “Our Approach to Explaining Myopia.”

Starting from the knowledge I could be convinced of as of 2018,
I began care and explanations in the field of myopia.

2018.10- Installed an accommodation analyzerand began low-dose atropine eye drops
2018.5- Introduced a corneal topographer (topography)andorthokeratologytreatment began
From April 2022: axial length measurement
2023.4- A device for managing myopia progression in childrenintroduced; began plotting axial length graphs

At this myopia society meeting:
Regarding the progression and “causes” of myopia in children,
many presentations showed that molecular biology research is advancing.
The Sunday lunchtime seminar gave a systematic talk in a short time, and I was quite surprised.

Is Myopia Really Bad? What “Bad Eyesight” Means

From the professor chairing the session,
“Is myopia really bad?”
came this comment.

Long ago, to build a strong army, “good eyesight” was reportedly needed.
In fact, there is literature showing that myopia decreased during World War II and increased after the war.

Is “bad eyesight” really a bad thing?
Mild myopia makes near vision easy, and keeps good vision throughout life.

People with “good eyes” find near vision difficult earlier.

Managing Myopia Progression in Children as Preventive Medicine

What I Think About in Myopia Care:

Several decades after the child grows up,
・High myopia → pathologic myopia
I regard our care as preventive medicine so that this progression does not happen.

Ourcertified orthoptistsalso attended from morning to the end and seem to have learned a great deal.
We share the current knowledge together.

Personally, it was an enjoyable two days, meeting many people, including doctors connected with the university department.
Thank you, everyone.