Jagrut Lallu

To mark World Sight Day on 10 October, Hamilton optometrists joined forces to launch a myopia awareness campaign among schools and GPs.

Rose Optometrists’ Jagrut Lallu is leading the joint initiative with Visique Rototuna and Total Vision Optometrists, which aims to promote myopia prevention and management through free myopia information sessions. Lallu, who became a father on the eve of the launch, said the three local optometry practices will host educational seminars and meetings open to all teachers and GPs in the Hamilton area. The campaign is supported by the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of New Zealand (CCLSNZ) and NZ Myopia Action Group.

“We are keen to talk to teachers about what can be implemented at a school level to help reduce the risk of students developing myopia, such as myopia breaks,” said Lallu. “We also see local GPs as key partners in promoting public health awareness about myopia to the families that come into their surgeries.”

Research shows 69% of New Zealand parents do not know what myopia is and only 10% are aware of the lifestyle factors that can impact on child myopia.