INTERVIEW WITH SANDRA S. BLOCK, OD, DOS, MED, MPH

CHILDHOOD MYOPIA, GLOBAL EYE HEALTH, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY INTERVENTION

As part of the Clarity Reach Myopia Awareness Project, we interviewed Sandra Block, former President of the World Council of Optometry and one of the world's leading experts in children's vision and public health. During the discussion, Dr. Block shared insights from more than four decades in pediatric eye care, public health, education, and global vision advocacy. The conversation explored why childhood myopia should be viewed as a serious public health issue, the importance of comprehensive eye examinations, access to care, and practical strategies families can use to protect lifelong vision.

Interview Overview

During the interview, Dr. Block explained that myopia is no longer considered simply a vision correction issue. She discussed growing evidence showing that moderate and high myopia increase the risk of serious vision-threatening eye diseases later in life and emphasized that childhood myopia should be viewed as both a public health issue and a chronic eye health condition.

Drawing on her experience as President of the World Council of Optometry and her work with the World Health Organization, Dr. Block described how myopia rates have increased dramatically across many countries. She noted that some regions report extremely high rates of myopia among adolescents and stressed the importance of addressing the problem before progression becomes severe.

Dr. Block also emphasized the difference between school vision screenings and comprehensive eye examinations. While screenings can help identify children at risk, they do not replace a complete eye examination and may miss important vision conditions that can affect classroom performance, learning, confidence, and development.

The interview also covered myopia management treatments, outdoor activity, screen habits, access to care, public awareness, and the need for collaboration among families, schools, healthcare providers, and policymakers to improve children's vision health worldwide.

BELOW WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW

Key Highlights

1. MYOPIA IS A DISEASE, NOT JUST A NEED FOR GLASSES

Dr. Block explained that modern research increasingly recognizes myopia as a disease process associated with long-term eye health risks rather than solely a refractive condition.

2. EARLY PREVENTION SHOULD START BEFORE MYOPIA DEVELOPS

Families with a history of myopia should begin monitoring children's vision early because prevention and early intervention are becoming central themes in current research.

3. A SCHOOL SCREENING DOES NOT REPLACE A COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAM

Children may pass a vision screening and still have significant vision or eye health problems requiring professional evaluation.

4. VISION AFFECTS LEARNING, CONFIDENCE, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Children with uncorrected vision problems may struggle academically, avoid classroom participation, and experience reduced confidence in school and sports.

5. GLOBAL MYOPIA RATES CONTINUE TO INCREASE

Research discussed during Dr. Block's leadership at WCO highlighted the growing prevalence of myopia worldwide and reinforced the need for greater public awareness.

6. OUTDOOR TIME STILL MATTERS

Spending time outdoors remains one of the most consistently recommended lifestyle habits to support healthy visual development.

7. ACCESS TO QUALITY EYE CARE REMAINS A GLOBAL CHALLENGE

Many families continue to face barriers related to affordability, availability of providers, and access to treatment options.

8. PATIENT STORIES OFTEN TEACH THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS

Dr. Block shared powerful experiences from her work with Special Olympics and pediatric patients, emphasizing how improved vision can dramatically change educational, athletic, and life outcomes.

Q&A

  • Many parents believe passing a vision screening means their child has healthy eyes. Dr. Block explained that screenings are valuable, but they do not replace a comprehensive eye examination and can miss important eye and vision conditions.

  • Dr. Block encourages children to spend as much time outdoors as practical. Research continues to support outdoor activity as an important component of healthy visual development and myopia prevention.

  • Dr. Block believes both factors matter. Increased screen use may reduce time spent outdoors and may also increase prolonged near-focus demands on the eyes. Both are being actively studied by researchers around the world.

  • Rather than searching for a single "best" treatment, parents should work with their eye care provider to choose an option that fits their child's age, activities, maturity level, and ability to follow treatment instructions.

  • Many families face barriers including cost, insurance limitations, transportation, provider shortages, and lack of awareness. Dr. Block emphasized that every child deserves access to high-quality vision care regardless of circumstances.

  • One athlete told Dr. Block that before receiving glasses, everything appeared blurry and they simply followed the runner ahead during races. After receiving proper correction, the athlete returned and won a gold medal. The experience reinforced how profoundly clear vision can change lives.

  • Schedule a comprehensive eye examination if your child has not had one recently. According to Dr. Block, ensuring that children can see clearly is one of the most important steps parents can take to support learning, development, confidence, and lifelong eye health.

  • Dr. Block explained that childhood myopia begins as an optical problem, but moderate and high myopia can increase the risk of serious vision-threatening eye diseases later in life. Because of these long-term health risks, many experts now view myopia as a disease rather than simply a need for glasses.

  • No. Dr. Block believes prevention should begin before myopia develops. Children with a family history of myopia may benefit from earlier monitoring and healthy visual habits before changes in vision appear.

  • Yes. Children who cannot clearly see classroom materials or participate comfortably in sports may feel embarrassed or isolated. Some children avoid asking for help, moving to the front of the classroom, or wearing glasses because of social concerns.

  • Vision problems can interfere with reading, classroom learning, and academic performance. Dr. Block noted that some children may struggle not because of their ability, but because they are unable to see clearly.

  • Teachers are often the first adults to notice signs of vision difficulties. Behaviors such as squinting, covering one eye, turning the head while reading, or difficulty seeing classroom materials may indicate a need for a comprehensive eye examination.

  • As President of the World Council of Optometry, Dr. Block observed rapidly increasing rates of childhood myopia worldwide. She emphasized that myopia has become a major public health concern that requires greater awareness, earlier intervention, and improved access to care.

1. Schedule a comprehensive eye examination even if your child passes a school vision screening.

2. Understand that myopia is associated with long-term eye health risks, not just blurred distance vision.

3. Pay attention to family history because children with myopic parents may face increased risk.

4. Encourage outdoor play and healthy visual habits whenever possible.

5. Limit excessive near-work and screen exposure when appropriate.

6. Watch for warning signs such as difficulty seeing distant objects, moving closer to screens, squinting, or decreased classroom performance.

7. Learn about evidence-based treatment options including myopia-control contact lenses, specialized spectacle lenses, orthokeratology, and low-dose atropine.

8. Use trusted, current sources of information and discuss treatment options directly with your eye care provider.

9. Remember that protecting children's vision requires collaboration between parents, schools, healthcare providers, and communities.

10. Schedule annual eye examinations throughout childhood.

Key Takeaways for Parents

“Myopia in childhood is an optical problem, but as you get older, if you are moderate or highly myopic, you are at risk for a multitude of vision-threatening eye conditions. That is why myopia is now being recognized as a disease and not simply a refractive error”

— Dr. Sandra block

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Clarity Reach team sincerely thanks Dr. Sandra S. Block, Immediate Past President of the World Council of Optometry and Professor Emeritus at the Illinois College of Optometry, for generously sharing her time, expertise, and lifelong commitment to children's vision and eye health. Throughout this interview, Dr. Block provided invaluable insights on childhood myopia, public health, vision screenings, comprehensive eye care, and the growing global need for myopia awareness and prevention.

Her decades of leadership in pediatric vision care, education, public health, and international advocacy have helped advance access to quality eye care for children and families around the world. The Clarity Reach team is deeply grateful for her encouragement, wisdom, and dedication to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential through healthy vision.