Exploring myopia management practices among eye care professionals in India: A knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers study.

Abstract

Clinical relevance: Rising myopia prevalence in Indian children necessitates an increase in the number of myopia practitioners across all states to effectively counteract its progression and prevent long-term visual impairment.

Purpose: There is limited information on how eye care practitioners perceive and practice myopia control treatments in India. This study aimed to assess the current knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers to initiating myopia management among eye care practitioners in India.

Methods: A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms and emails to eye care practitioners from January 8 to 23, 2022. This survey comprised a total of 12 questions to seek information related to knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers associated with myopia management. Basic descriptive and percentage analyses were performed.

Results: Among the 423 respondents, optometrists were 66% (n = 279/423), followed by ophthalmologists (16%, n = 68/423) and trainees involving optometrists and ophthalmologists (18%, n = 76/423). Of all, only 22% (n = 94/423) indicated practicing myopia management. They gained knowledge through scientific articles (71%, n = 300/423), conferences, and continuous professional education (62%, n = 231/423). Low-concentration atropine eye drops are widely considered for myopia control by both optometrists (57%, n = 28/49) and ophthalmologists (97%, n = 38/39), along with behavioural and lifestyle modifications (55%, n = 27/49; 74%, n = 29/39). A smaller proportion preferred to under-correct myopia (20%, n = 19/94) to counteract progression. Among myopia practitioners, combination therapy was recommended by 24% (n = 12/49) of optometrists and 23% (n = 9/39) of ophthalmologists to halt progression if a single modality was ineffective. The major barriers to initiating myopia management were lack of awareness among parents (73%, n = 68/94), lack of education (34%, n = 143/423) and training (26%, n = 112/423) among practitioners, and unavailability of treatment modalities in various regions of India (18%, n = 76/423).

Conclusion: Only 1 out of 5 practitioners was actively involved in practicing myopia management. Barriers must be minimised through various means to enable routine myopia practice in clinics.