Latest news with #myopia
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Myopia: Children in NI treated different to those in the rest of the UK
Children with short-sightedness are being stopped from using NHS vouchers to help pay for new treatment unlike in other parts of the UK, Northern Ireland optometrists have chair of Optometry NI, Brian McKeown, said it was "frustrating" and that the rules should change, while Faith Donaldson, a County Down-based optometrist, said advances in medicine can now "slow down the progressions of myopia".However, the Department of Health said the "evidence is not yet sufficient to support funded use".Myopia, which is the medical term for short-sightedness, is an extremely common eye condition that affects about one in three people in the UK. Children can use NHS vouchers, worth between £40 and £60, towards the cost of glasses to help them see more clearly but cannot use them for special glasses or contact lenses that help to treat the treatment - known as myopia management - can slow or stop the short-sightedness from getting Donaldson said she feels obligated to tell families about myopia management and that the College of Optometrists has said it is "best practise and we should be advising and telling our patients about it". Danny, 13, wears contact lenses that treat myopia and has seen for himself the difference they can make. He said he noticed his vision getting worse while wearing glasses, which was confirmed by eye starting myopia management slowed down that progression. "My next eye test after I got my contacts the first time, you noticed there was quite a big stop or little to no difference." Danny's sister is also short-sighted. Their mum Emma McManus said it was a "no-brainer" to pay privately for both of them to have myopia said they would do whatever they could to "slow that (myopia) down, save their eyesight". It costs about £30 a month for Danny's contacts and about £300 in total for her daughter's glasses, which treat the McManus knew that she could not use the NHS voucher towards myopia management but was not aware it could be used in other parts of the feels that puts families here at a disadvantage."That could make the difference between another household opting into the myopia management or having to say: 'No I just can't do that.'"I think that is just so unfair." Brian McKeown, the chair of Optometry NI which represents all optometrists in Northern Ireland, said the "evidence is definitely growing" for myopia said he has patients in his own practice who have seen the benefit and that it was "frustrating" that people in the rest of the UK can use vouchers towards the treatment."We feel there should be a change," he McKeown said a paper has been submitted to the body that makes decisions on funding matters like these and they are waiting for an official response. The Department of Health said it "continues to monitor the situation, and examine the available evidence, but to date the position remains unchanged".It said officials have met with Optometry NI and assured "the profession that the Department of Health continues to take an interest in the subject". What are the signs of short-sightedness? Difficulty reading words from a distance, such as reading the whiteboard at school Sitting close to the TV or computer, or holding a mobile phone or tablet close to the face Getting headaches Rubbing the eyes a lot
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
From playgrounds to tablets: How digital life is impacting children's eyes
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 — Vision problems are becoming increasingly common among Malaysian children, yet many remain undiagnosed until they begin to affect behaviour, school performance, or overall development. Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) Consultant Ophthalmologist, Paediatric Ophthalmologist and Strabismus Surgeon Dr Fiona Chew Lee Min said most of these cases stem from refractive errors, a condition where light is not focused properly on the eye due to the shape of the eyeball, resulting in blurry vision. She said Myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism (a common condition that causes distortion of vision) are the most common refractive errors among Malaysian children, and both are becoming increasingly prevalent. "Nearly one in two Malaysian children is affected by refractive errors, with a local study reporting a prevalence of 47.8 per cent. Myopia affects 30.2 per cent and occurs when light focuses in front of the retina, causing distant objects to appear blurry. "Astigmatism, which affects 16.3 per cent, is caused by an uneven curvature of the cornea, resulting in blurred vision at all distances. While hyperopia, or long-sightedness, is less common at 1.2 per cent and occurs when light focuses behind the retina, making near objects appear blurry,' she said in a statement. With August marking Children's Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month, Dr Fiona reminded parents to prioritise regular vision checks, even when there are no obvious symptoms. The surgeon said that while the conditions are common, they are often overlooked by parents because children rarely complain of vision problems and tend to adapt to their limitations, leading parents to believe nothing is wrong. "Symptoms may be subtle, such as squinting to see distant objects, frequent blinking or rubbing of the eyes, or even holding books and devices unusually close to the face. Dr Fiona also added that while behaviours like sitting too close to the television are often mistaken for bad habits, they could indicate that a child is struggling to see clearly and may have myopia. "If left untreated, refractive errors can lead to more serious vision problems, including lazy eye which causes permanent poor vision, eye alignment issues, headaches from eye strain, problems with depth perception and even difficulties in concentration,' she explained. These risks are further compounded by modern lifestyle habits such as prolonged screen use, especially as reliance on digital devices has increased significantly over the years post-Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, more than half of Malaysian students experience headaches linked to extended periods in front of screens. Regarding the recommended screen time for children, Dr Fiona said it should be introduced as late as possible, preferably from the age of seven, adding that children over the age of three should have no more than one hour of screen time per day, while those under three should avoid screens entirely. Dr Fiona said spending more time outdoors can help protect children's vision by giving their eyes a break from digital devices, allowing them to focus on varying distances and exposing them to natural sunlight, which reduces the risk of developing myopia. With that, Dr Fiona encouraged the adoption of the 20-20-20 rule, which is beneficial for people of all ages, noting that it is a simple yet effective habit she practises herself - taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes of near-distance work to focus on something 20 feet away. Alongside preventive habits, she said appropriate corrective measures, including prescription glasses, are key to protecting a child's vision, as they remain the most effective way to correct refractive errors in children, and those who require them should wear their glasses consistently to prevent eye strain and help stabilise the refractive error. She also noted on the concerns about glasses will weaken a child's eyesight and said such thing is unfounded, as the correct prescription actually helps the eye focus properly. For older children from the age of 10 to 12, contact lenses may be introduced as an alternative, but strict hygiene must be practised to avoid eye infections. Dr Fiona said routine eye screening also plays an important role in maintaining children's eye health, starting as early as at birth, followed by a formal eye assessment at the age of three. Should there be any signs of vision problems in between, parents are encouraged to take proactive steps and have their children's eyes assessed earlier. Meanwhile, a registered dietitian at SMCV, Chow Yu Fei, said nutrition is a critical yet often overlooked factor in protecting children's vision, as a balanced diet during early childhood supports optimal visual development, eye muscle coordination and overall eye function. She said key nutrients such as vitamin A, lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids play an essential role in maintaining clear vision and protecting the retina from harmful light exposure, adding that deficiencies during this stage may not only affect children's vision now but also increase the risk of potential eye conditions in the future. "These nutrients can be found through everyday foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, eggs, spinach, broccoli, corn, salmon, mackerel, local favourites such as ikan tenggiri, ikan kembung, ikan patin, walnuts and chia seeds. Vitamin A deficiency can significantly impair a child's ability to see in low-light conditions and, in severe cases, may cause permanent damage to the cornea. "Insufficient lutein and zeaxanthin intake reduces the retina's natural defence against harmful blue light, increasing its vulnerability to long-term damage. While lack of omega-3 fatty acids can hinder the development and function of the retina, affecting the clarity and efficiency of visual processing,' she said. By incorporating these nutrient-rich foods into daily meals, Chow said parents can give their children the best chance of developing strong, healthy vision that supports them throughout their lives. — Bernama
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alcon Expands Vision Correction Portfolio With STAAR Surgical Acquisition
On Tuesday, the eye care company Alcon Plc (NYSE:ALC) agreed to acquire STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ:STAA), the manufacturer of the implantable collamer lens (ICL). The acquisition includes the EVO family of lenses (EVO ICL) for vision correction for patients with moderate to high myopia (nearsightedness), with or without astigmatism. Alcon will purchase all outstanding shares of STAAR common stock for $28 per share in cash, which represents approximately a 59% premium to STAAR's 90-day Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) and a 51% premium to the closing price of STAAR common stock on August 4, transaction represents a total equity value of approximately $1.5 billion. Alcon intends to finance the transaction by issuing short- and long-term credit facilities. The transaction is anticipated to close in approximately six to 12 months and is expected to be accretive to earnings in year two. 'With the number of high myopes rising globally, the acquisition of STAAR enhances our ability to offer a leading surgical vision correction solution for those who are not ideal candidates for other refractive surgeries such as LASIK,' said David Endicott, CEO of Alcon. An estimated 50% of the world will be myopic by 2050, and today, nearly 500 million people are considered high myopes. The EVO family of ICLs are implanted between the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the natural crystalline lens during a procedure that does not remove corneal tissue. This move follows Alcon's recent announcement in July regarding its intention to acquire LumiThera, Inc. and its Photobiomodulation (PBM) Device for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Data from the LIGHTSITE I, II, and III clinical trials consistently showed that PBM treatments provide visual acuity improvement with no treatment-related serious adverse events reported. PBM received FDA de novo market authorization in November 2024 and CE Mark in November 2018. PBM is available in Europe, Latin America, Singapore, the U.K., and the U.S. The transaction does not include the acquisition of AdaptDx and Nova/Diopsys diagnostic devices, which will be separated and spun off to LumiThera's shareholders before Alcon's acquisition and will continue to be marketed and sold by the LumiThera spin-off. Alcon and LumiThera anticipate the acquisition to be completed in the third quarter of 2025. Price Action: ALC stock is trading lower by 1.17% to $86.79 premarket, and STAA stock is trading higher by 44.9% to $26.78 at last check Tuesday. Read Next:Photo via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? STAAR SURGICAL (STAA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Alcon Expands Vision Correction Portfolio With STAAR Surgical Acquisition originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alcon Expands Vision Correction Portfolio With STAAR Surgical Acquisition
On Tuesday, the eye care company Alcon Plc (NYSE:ALC) agreed to acquire STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ:STAA), the manufacturer of the implantable collamer lens (ICL). The acquisition includes the EVO family of lenses (EVO ICL) for vision correction for patients with moderate to high myopia (nearsightedness), with or without astigmatism. Alcon will purchase all outstanding shares of STAAR common stock for $28 per share in cash, which represents approximately a 59% premium to STAAR's 90-day Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) and a 51% premium to the closing price of STAAR common stock on August 4, transaction represents a total equity value of approximately $1.5 billion. Alcon intends to finance the transaction by issuing short- and long-term credit facilities. The transaction is anticipated to close in approximately six to 12 months and is expected to be accretive to earnings in year two. 'With the number of high myopes rising globally, the acquisition of STAAR enhances our ability to offer a leading surgical vision correction solution for those who are not ideal candidates for other refractive surgeries such as LASIK,' said David Endicott, CEO of Alcon. An estimated 50% of the world will be myopic by 2050, and today, nearly 500 million people are considered high myopes. The EVO family of ICLs are implanted between the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the natural crystalline lens during a procedure that does not remove corneal tissue. This move follows Alcon's recent announcement in July regarding its intention to acquire LumiThera, Inc. and its Photobiomodulation (PBM) Device for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Data from the LIGHTSITE I, II, and III clinical trials consistently showed that PBM treatments provide visual acuity improvement with no treatment-related serious adverse events reported. PBM received FDA de novo market authorization in November 2024 and CE Mark in November 2018. PBM is available in Europe, Latin America, Singapore, the U.K., and the U.S. The transaction does not include the acquisition of AdaptDx and Nova/Diopsys diagnostic devices, which will be separated and spun off to LumiThera's shareholders before Alcon's acquisition and will continue to be marketed and sold by the LumiThera spin-off. Alcon and LumiThera anticipate the acquisition to be completed in the third quarter of 2025. Price Action: ALC stock is trading lower by 1.17% to $86.79 premarket, and STAA stock is trading higher by 44.9% to $26.78 at last check Tuesday. Read Next:Photo via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? STAAR SURGICAL (STAA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Alcon Expands Vision Correction Portfolio With STAAR Surgical Acquisition originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alcon strikes $1.5bn deal to acquire ailing rival STAAR Surgical
Alcon has agreed to acquire struggling rival eyecare specialist STAAR Surgical in an equity deal valued at around $1.5bn. The deal equates to the buyout of STAAR's outstanding stock at $28 per share and will avail Alcon of STAAR's EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) portfolio. STAAR's EVO ICLs address vision correction for conditions including myopia with and without astigmatism via a minimally invasive, reversible procedure that does not remove corneal tissue. Research estimates that 500 million individuals globally are currently considered 'high myopes', with 50% of the global population projected to be myopic to some extent by 2050. Alcon said the addition of STAAR's EVO ICL will complement its laser vision correction business and positively impact profit margins from year two post-transaction. The deal is expected to close within six to 12 months, pending customary closing conditions. Alcon CEO David Endicott commented: 'With the number of high myopes rising globally, the acquisition of STAAR enhances our ability to offer a leading surgical vision correction solution for those who are not ideal candidates for other refractive surgeries such as LASIK. 'This transaction will allow us to provide treatment options across the full spectrum of myopia – from contact lenses to surgical interventions – reinforcing our commitment to addressing the most significant needs in eye care.' Alcon's acquisitive streak and the culmination of STAAR's market challenges The STAAR buyout marks the latest deal in what has been an acquisitive year for Alcon. In March, the Swiss-headquartered company acquired Lensar in a deal valued at around $356m, gaining access to Lensar's ALLY robotic cataract laser treatment system, which Alcon expects to enhance the capabilities of its femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) technology. Last month, Alcon announced plans to acquire LumiThera in a deal set to give it control of the US-based company's photobiomodulation device for treating early and intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). For STAAR, the Alcon acquisition puts a stopper on a challenging period for the company. STAAR's Q1 2025 financials revealed a 45% decline in sales to $42.6m, down from $77.4m in Q1 2024. The California-based company chiefly attributed the decline to weakened demand in China and additional headwinds due to Chinese Government initiatives affecting device procurement. To steady the ship, STAAR revealed plans for a $30m share buyback programme in May to account for volatility in the global macroeconomic environment. Commenting on the Alcon acquisition, STAAR CEO Stephen Farrell acknowledged that China headwinds had significantly impacted its viability as a standalone company. Farrell said: 'We believe the transaction with Alcon represents the best path forward and provides the greatest value for STAAR shareholders.' STAAR's view on the Chinese procurement market is likely about the country's procurement practices for foreign entities. In June, the European Union (EU) voted to ban Chinese companies from participating in public procurement tenders in the bloc's medical device sector for contracts valued over €5m ($5.72m) after an EU investigation found that fair access to foreign companies for public tenders in China was not reciprocated. "Alcon strikes $1.5bn deal to acquire ailing rival STAAR Surgical" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
