Does screening for myopia in New Zealand meet screening programme criteria?

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health

Background:

• A global myopia epidemic necessitates urgent public health interventions.
• Myopia risks and treatment strategies require re-evaluation in New Zealand.
• Current treatments focus on refractive error correction rather than preventing axial elongation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the validity of myopia screening in New Zealand using the Wilson and Jungner criteria.
• To assess the current myopia screening program's alignment with established public health screening principles.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of evidence pertinent to the Wilson and Jungner criteria for myopia screening.
• Application of the 10-point Wilson and Jungner checklist to New Zealand's myopia screening context.

Main Results:

• The myopia screening program in New Zealand satisfied 7 out of the 10 Wilson and Jungner criteria.
• The screening concept demonstrated good performance, warranting further consideration.

Conclusions:

• Further research, including randomized clinical trials, is needed to establish New Zealand-specific myopia management guidelines.
• A pilot screening program trial is recommended to assess feasibility and cost-effectiveness for early myopia detection and progression control.
• Enhancements to the existing screening program, such as lowering the screening age and incorporating autorefractors, are suggested.