Request NHS funded myopia management lenses for children
The Issue
I am a student dispensing optician, and I regularly see children unable to access the best lenses for their future eye health due to parents being unable to afford this. I believe that all eligible children should have equal access to these lenses.
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is a growing concern worldwide, with an alarming increase in prevalence among children. According to the World Health Organization, almost half of the global population is projected to be myopic by 2050. Unmanaged myopia in children can lead to significant vision impairment, affecting their education, social development, and overall quality of life. In extreme cases, it can lead to conditions such as retinal detachment or glaucoma.
Currently, numerous children in the UK are unable to benefit from the latest myopia management lenses due to their high costs, despite their proven efficacy in slowing down the progression of myopia. These lenses are not merely cosmetic luxury; they are a preventive healthcare solution that can secure a better visual future for our children.
The National Health Service (NHS) is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare for all UK residents. However, the lack of coverage for myopia management lenses leaves a significant gap in our children's vision care. It is crucial that the NHS includes these lenses in their coverage to ensure equal opportunities for all children to maintain optimal eye health.
A feasible solution could involve the NHS collaborating with lens manufacturers to secure cost-effective solutions, ensuring that funding could be allocated effectively without compromising the quality of lenses provided.
By supporting this petition, you are advocating for a change that can profoundly impact the quality of life and future of millions of children. Providing NHS-funded myopia management lenses will level the playing field, allowing all children, regardless of their family's financial situation, to access the eye care they need.
Please sign this petition to urge the NHS to include funding for myopia management lenses for children, so no child is left behind due to financial constraints. Let us work together towards a future where every child can see clearly and thrive.
916
The Issue
I am a student dispensing optician, and I regularly see children unable to access the best lenses for their future eye health due to parents being unable to afford this. I believe that all eligible children should have equal access to these lenses.
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is a growing concern worldwide, with an alarming increase in prevalence among children. According to the World Health Organization, almost half of the global population is projected to be myopic by 2050. Unmanaged myopia in children can lead to significant vision impairment, affecting their education, social development, and overall quality of life. In extreme cases, it can lead to conditions such as retinal detachment or glaucoma.
Currently, numerous children in the UK are unable to benefit from the latest myopia management lenses due to their high costs, despite their proven efficacy in slowing down the progression of myopia. These lenses are not merely cosmetic luxury; they are a preventive healthcare solution that can secure a better visual future for our children.
The National Health Service (NHS) is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare for all UK residents. However, the lack of coverage for myopia management lenses leaves a significant gap in our children's vision care. It is crucial that the NHS includes these lenses in their coverage to ensure equal opportunities for all children to maintain optimal eye health.
A feasible solution could involve the NHS collaborating with lens manufacturers to secure cost-effective solutions, ensuring that funding could be allocated effectively without compromising the quality of lenses provided.
By supporting this petition, you are advocating for a change that can profoundly impact the quality of life and future of millions of children. Providing NHS-funded myopia management lenses will level the playing field, allowing all children, regardless of their family's financial situation, to access the eye care they need.
Please sign this petition to urge the NHS to include funding for myopia management lenses for children, so no child is left behind due to financial constraints. Let us work together towards a future where every child can see clearly and thrive.
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 3 June 2026