We’re thrilled to share that Lily and I were today featured on BBC Morning Live, discussing the growing global issue of...yeah you guessed it...myopia. Hosted by the wonderful Rebecca Wilcox, the segment was filmed in the vibrant district of Fitzrovia, London. This was an incredible opportunity to highlight the risks of myopia and the importance of management solutions for children and families.
Sharing our Story
As the founder of Myopia Focus, this was a deeply valuable experience for me - it in many wasy is the purpose of the campaign. To make as many people aware about the disease as possible! Too often, people see myopia as “just being short-sighted” without realising the serious risks it can pose if left unmanaged. My hope is that through features like this, we can raise awareness amongst parents and encouraging them to ask their optometrist for more information about myopia management solutions.
During the interview, I had the opportunity to share my experience as a high myope and how it’s driven my passion for helping others navigate this condition. Lily talked about her journey from discovering she needed glasses to using orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses to manage her myopia.
These amazing lenses, worn overnight, reshape her cornea so she can enjoy clear vision all day without glasses or contacts.
One of the highlights for us was hearing from Alison Neoh, an optometrist who was also featured on the segment. Diagnosed with myopia at the age of nine, Alison shared how her own experience led her to become an eye care professional. She emphasised the importance of early diagnosis, explaining that the critical ages for managing myopia progression are between 6 and 14 years old. Treatments like atropine drops, which Alison used herself, can make a significant difference in slowing myopia’s progression. Unfortunately, Atropine drops are not currently widely available in the UK which we cover in this blog.
Insights from a Leading Expert
Whilst it was a shame that we were not able to explicity mention our work at Myopia Focus, I thought the feature itself, was very good and hopefully it encourages parents to search for more information on myopia and myopia management. It was fantastic that we shared the platform with Dr. Annegret Dahlmann-Noor, a consultant in children’s eye health and honorary clinical associate professor at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. As one of the UK’s foremost experts on myopia, Dr. Dahlmann-Noor explained why rates of myopia are increasing so dramatically, linking it to factors like reduced outdoor time and increased screen use.
She highlighted the long-term risks of unmanaged myopia, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration. Dr. Dahlmann-Noor provided practical tips for parents to help protect their children’s eye health, such as:
Encouraging 1.5–2 hours of outdoor play daily.
Following the 20-20-20 rule during screen or reading time (look 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes).
Scheduling annual eye tests, which are free for children under 16 in the UK.
Dr. Dahlmann-Noor’s dedication to raising awareness about myopia and her invaluable advice during the feature made the experience even more inspiring.
Why Myopia Management Matters
The show reinforced the importance of taking action early to manage myopia. Studies show that myopia management treatments can slow progression by 30–80%, significantly reducing the risk of serious complications later in life. Options such as Ortho-K lenses, atropine eye drops, and specialist glasses are making a profound difference for children worldwide.
As Lily’s journey illustrates, these solutions can not only improve long term eye health, but in teh short term the improve vision whilst also enhancing confidence and quality of life—empowering children to see the world clearly and embrace their potential.
Watch the Segment
If you missed it, you can catch the full feature on the BBC Morning Live section on BBC iPlayer. Hearing from experts like Alison Neoh and Dr. Dahlmann-Noor and seeing Lily’s story brought to life is an absolute must for parents navigating this condition.
Final Thoughts
Being featured on BBC Morning Live was an unforgettable experience. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to shine a light on such an important topic, alongside my daughter Lily and incredible experts like Alison Neoh and Dr. Dahlmann-Noor. Together, we’re making strides to ensure that myopia is understood and managed effectively.
What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments and share your own myopia journey—we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can make a difference!
For more information on myopia and management options, explore our resources at Myopia Focus.
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