Advancing Awareness and Prevention of Childhood Myopia
To mark Myopia Awareness Week 2026, Vision Healthcare Foundation organized a series of activities across Karachi and Attock aimed at promoting awareness, strengthening professional knowledge, and encouraging early detection of myopia among children and young people.
Through school eye health initiatives, community awareness sessions, professional discussions, an international webinar, and digital awareness campaigns, the Foundation directly reached more than 1,125 individuals, including school children, teachers, support staff, eye care professionals, and webinar participants.
As the prevalence of myopia continues to increase worldwide, these efforts highlighted the importance of healthy visual habits, timely eye examinations, and evidence-based approaches to myopia control.
Academic Discussion Session Held at KhairunNisa Eye Hospital
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Myopia Awareness Week commenced with an in-house academic session at KhairunNisa Eye Hospital (KNEH), beginning with an opening and recitation, followed by a presentation on the global and national overview of myopia by Fatima Zehra.
The session brought together KNEH optometrists, who delivered presentations on understanding myopia and its risk factors, prevention strategies, clinical management and treatment, myopia control approaches, and public health and programmatic interventions. Contributors included Sarina Malik, Mehtab Aziz, Masood Ahmed, Hira Mansoor, Fiza Ahmed, Simra Waheed, Tayaba Abdul Ghaffar, Rustum Azeem, and Muhammad Ussama.
A panel comprising Dr. Mazhar, Ms. Salma, Fatima Zehra, and Ammara Zafar led an interactive discussion and reviewed the presentations, selecting the top three submissions. The session concluded with reflections and a certificate distribution ceremony recognizing participants and outstanding presentations, reinforcing a culture of continuous learning and excellence in eye care.
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School Eye Health Screening Activities in Karachi
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As part of the awareness week, Vision Healthcare Foundation integrated myopia awareness into eye camps conducted across different DCD campuses in Karachi on 18, 19, and 20 May 2026.
During these activities, a total of 1,030 children underwent eye screening. Students and academic staff were educated about the causes of myopia, common warning signs, healthy visual habits, and the importance of regular eye examinations.
These sessions reinforced the importance of preventive eye care and encouraged children to adopt habits that support healthy vision.
Community Awareness Sessions in Attock
Dedicated myopia awareness sessions were conducted at Government Girls High School Choi West on 19 May 2026 and Government Boys High School Faqeer Abad on 21 May 2026.
The sessions focused on:
- Understanding myopia and its causes.
- Recognizing signs and symptoms of vision problems.
- Limiting excessive screen time.
- Encouraging outdoor activities and healthy eye care practices.
- Promoting regular eye examinations and the use of prescribed spectacles.
Interactive discussions enabled participants to share concerns and learn more about protecting children’s vision.
A total of 60 participants attended the sessions, including students, teachers, and support staff. These activities contributed to increased awareness among school communities regarding early identification and management of vision problems.
International Webinar on Best Global Practices in Myopia Control
As part of the week’s activities, Vision Healthcare Foundation organized an online webinar titled “Best Global Practices in Myopia Control,” featuring Dr. Angelena Perez as the guest speaker.
The webinar attracted more than 35 participants and provided valuable insights into contemporary approaches to myopia prevention and management. Discussions focused on internationally recognized practices, lifestyle modifications, and the importance of early intervention in reducing the burden of childhood myopia.
The webinar also facilitated knowledge exchange among eye care professionals and participants interested in advancing myopia management practices.
Raising Awareness Beyond the Classroom
In addition to on-ground activities, Vision Healthcare Foundation amplified key messages through social media posts and awareness campaigns, extending the reach of Myopia Awareness Week and encouraging communities to adopt practices that support lifelong eye health.
These communication efforts reinforced the importance of limiting excessive screen time, promoting outdoor activities, and seeking timely eye examinations to prevent avoidable vision impairment.
Impact and Way Forward
Through Myopia Awareness Week 2026, Vision Healthcare Foundation directly reached more than 1,125 individuals across Karachi and Attock. These initiatives strengthened awareness of myopia, promoted healthy visual habits, encouraged early eye examinations, and enhanced the professional capacity of eye care providers.
As childhood myopia continues to rise globally, Vision Healthcare Foundation remains committed to advancing preventive eye care through community awareness, school eye health programs, professional development, and collaboration with partners to help safeguard children’s vision and build a healthier future.