GMAC stands shoulder to shoulder with industry leaders and eye doctors to stop the myopia epidemic.
The Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) is a non-profit coalition of leading ophthalmic companies and eye health associations with a mission to increase public awareness about the growing prevalence and consequences of myopia, especially in children.
GMAC develops messaging campaigns for the public and works with health care professionals and allied organizations to educate both parents and children to access early and regular eye exams and be more receptive to treatment recommendations from their eye care professionals.
Although high myopia prescriptions may lead to the greatest risk of eye complications and vision loss, low and moderate myopia also carry considerable risks.
Myopia raises the risk of glaucoma by 1.6x2
Myopia raises the risk of cataracts by 2.1x2
Myopia raises the risk of retinal detachment by 3.5x2
Higher myopia raises the risk of myopic macular degeneration by 102x2
Myopia’s impact reaches well beyond the eye exam. Kids with uncorrected myopia are more likely to fall behind academically, sit out of sports and physical activity, and struggle with their emotional and social well-being.3
If your children and teenagers use screens, encourage the 20-20-20 rule to help with digital eye strain, which may worsen myopia. For every 20 minutes spent using a screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This has been shown to promote blinking and reduce strain on the eye muscles.
Get The Eye Doctor Discussion GuideMyopia often worsens through childhood. Early action may help reduce your child’s lifetime risk of serious eye disease.
Our commitment to raising awareness of myopia is capturing attention.
