Skyrocketing myopia awareness at the science museum

With myopia in children at an all-time high¹, Essilor® hosted an interactive Eyestar™ Mission for families over half term, taking children on a fun spaced-themed adventure to learn about the importance of eye health.

The event, which took place on the 27 October at the Science Museum, London, was delivered using Eyestar^TM Mission, a classroom-based awareness programme created by Essilor®, where children follow the adventures of space characters. The session combined interactive games and activities, and key learnings to create a comprehensive and memorable experience for influencers and members of the public.

Families learnt how first generation Essilor® Stellest® lenses are clinically proven to slow myopia progression by up to 67%²* and how six-month interim results from an ongoing clinical trial for Essilor® Stellest® 2.0 lenses, achieved a treatment effect comparable to that reported after 12 months with first-generation Essilor® Stellest® lenses^3,4† – further improving efforts to control myopia in kids.

They also discovered the importance of correctly fitted frames in a Q&A session with Dr Alicia Thompson, Research Director at the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).

Elizabeth Yeowart-Montgomery, an optometrist and Medical Science Liaison at EssilorLuxottica, led the session and said: “Raising awareness of myopia is incredibly important, with early treatment making a big difference to children’s long-term eye health.

“Our event was an opportunity to make an important topic really fun and memorable. We hope everyone left feeling more informed and confident about the importance of regular eye examinations and managing myopia.”

Dr Alicia Thompson covered the importance of frame choice being based on a child’s age and facial features, to allow for comfort and stability.

She explained: “As childhood myopia becomes increasingly common, it is essential that we support children with solutions that are both clinically effective and comfortable to wear. Correct frame fitting plays a vital role in the success of all visual outcomes, including myopia management. It was a true honour for the opportunity to discuss my research findings with parents, press and influencers at the Stellest event and promote the knowledge and skills of our members.”

As part of a wider drive to improve myopia control awareness, Essilor® also partnered with a teacher and parenting influencers who attended the event with their children and shared their own myopia journeys on social media to spark conversation around the topic.

Parenting influencer, Katie Elison said: “It was such an interesting and eye-opening experience attending the Essilor Stellest event with my daughter and son. We learnt so much about childhood myopia and the importance of looking after our children’s eye health. My daughter has been using Essilor Stellest lenses in her glasses for the last couple of years and they have made such a difference and on her most recent eye test her prescription had stayed the same which is so promising. They both had their axial length measured using a specialist machine, which revealed my son may be at a higher risk of developing short-sightedness in the future. We came away feeling so much more informed about the importance of regular eye checks and early intervention.”

ECPs can find out more about Eyestar^TM Mission and how they can deliver the programme in practice or at a local school, by speaking to their Essilor® account manager.