SAN RAMON, Calif., Nov. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- One in four children in the United States is myopic1, but according to The Harris Poll survey results released today by CooperVision, only 33% of parents know what that term means2, or how it can affect their children's future eyesight. The survey was conducted among eye care professionals, including 155 optometrists and 158 ophthalmologists, and 1,005 parents with children between 8-15 years old regarding their knowledge of myopia.

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, occurs when the eyeball is too long, relative to the focusing power of the cornea and lens of the eye. This causes light rays to focus at a point in front of the retina, rather than directly on its surface. Generally, myopia first occurs in school-age children and progresses until about age 20.  

Two-thirds of eye care professionals (66%) have seen an increase in the prevalence of pediatric myopia in their practice over the last 5-10 years3, which aligns with data from the American Optometric Association (AOA), showing myopia has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with an increase of 25% in the past 40 years. Around one quarter of parents (26%) have a nearsighted child, and about three quarters of those children were diagnosed between the ages of 3 and 121. But even though this condition is increasing, and the severity is getting worse, there are many misunderstandings surrounding myopia, what it is and why it is important for children to have their eyesight checked regularly by an eye care professional.

"I am not surprised that 48% of parents noted they know less about their children's eye health than they should2," says Dr. Rupa K. Wong, a board certified pediatric ophthalmologist. "I have diagnosed an increasing number of children with myopia in the past 5-10 years, and my patients' parents are often surprised with the diagnosis. With the help of yearly eye exams, the condition can be diagnosed and treated to avoid more severe eye problems later in life3 by slowing the progression."

"We know there is a lot of confusion about the significance of myopia, how it progresses and how to treat it," says Dr. Michele Andrews, Senior Director, North America Professional and Academic Affairs at CooperVision. "So it comes as no surprise that while 65% of parents claimed they were somewhat or very knowledgeable of myopia2, only one in three were able to identify myopia as nearsightedness2. There clearly needs to be more education about what childhood myopia is and why it is important to diagnose it early."

More highlights from the survey include:

• 97% of eye care professionals agree parents should know more about the ways they can help protect their children's vision3
• 73% of parents strongly/somewhat agree that teachers are more likely to notice that children have vision problems 2; 68% of parents strongly/somewhat agree that school nurses often notice potential vision problems among children before parents2
• Parents say they are more knowledgeable about other childhood conditions including the flu (93%), ear infections (86%) and lice (80%) compared with their knowledge of myopia (65%)2
• 22% of parents report the top reason prompting an ECP visit is an in-school eye screening2, whereas 92% of ECPs state this is the top reason for parents seeing them for their child's vision3

Research Method

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of CooperVision from June 27 to July 18, 2019 among 313 licensed eye care professionals, including 155 optometrists and 158 ophthalmologists who see at least 1 child age 8-15 with myopia each month, and 1,005 parents with children between 8-15 years old. Parent data were weighted by age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, region, income, household size, marital status, and employment status to be representative of the total population of US adults 18+ who are parents of a child age 8-15. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. Optometrist and ophthalmologist data were weighted by gender, years in practice, and region and a post-weight was applied to the total data to reflect the proportions of optometrists and ophthalmologists within the U.S. ECP population.

The comprehensive study from CooperVision and Harris includes additional information on topics such as the positive role outside plays in a child's eye health, treatment awareness and vision correction tactics. To learn more, visit https://coopervision.com/protect-kids-vision. To access the full survey results, please contact coopervision@evolvemkd.com.

About CooperVision  
CooperVision, a unit of CooperCompanies (NYSE:COO), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of monthly, two-week and daily disposable contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism and presbyopia; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.

About CooperCompanies
CooperCompanies ("Cooper") is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE:COO). Cooper operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of women, babies and families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on medical devices and fertility & genomics. Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., Cooper has a workforce of more than 12,000 with products sold in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com. 

About The Harris Poll 
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm established in 1963 to help support decision making among leaders. Harris works with clients in three primary areas; crafting brand strategy, building corporate reputation, and earning organic media through public relations research. To learn more, visit www.theharrispoll.com. 

Media Contacts

EvolveMKD for CooperVision, Inc. 
CooperVision@EvolveMKD.com or 646.517.4220 

Jamie Palmeroni-Lavis, McDougall Communications for CooperVision, Inc.
jamie@mcdougallpr.com or 585.434.2151

1  Cooper, Y. (2019, May 1). With Childhood Myopia Rates on the Rise, the American Optometric Association Highlights the Importance of Early Intervention through Annual Eye Exams. Retrieved from https://www.aoa.org/newsroom/myopia-rates-on-the-rise-syvm 
2  CooperVision data on file 2019.  Myopia Awareness, The Harris Poll online survey 6/27/19 to 7/18/19 of n=1,005 parents (with child age 8-15) in U.S.
3  CooperVision data on file 2019.  Myopia Awareness, The Harris Poll online survey 6/27/19 to 7/18/19 of n=313 ECPs (who see at least 1/month myopic child, age 8-15) in U.S.

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SOURCE CooperVision