Study Investigates Slowing Short-Sightedness in Young Adults

Research aims to understand myopia progression in people in their 20s

The University of Bradford is conducting a study to examine the progression of short-sightedness, or myopia, among young adults. This research follows earlier studies focused on children and addresses a growing global eye health concern.

Understanding Myopia and Its Impact

Myopia is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurred. It is typically corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Projections indicate that by 2050, approximately 50% of the world’s population will be myopic, with around 10% having a high prescription of over -6.00 diopters.

Professor Edward Mallen, Professor of Physiological Optics at the University of Bradford, highlighted that managing myopia is a significant area of research within optometry. He noted that myopia is associated with other eye health risks, such as macular degeneration, beyond the need for corrective lenses.

“It’s about slowing down myopia progression. While spectacles and contact lenses have long been used to correct vision, newer products may also slow the rate at which myopia worsens,” Professor Mallen explained.

Details of the Myopia Study

The study is a collaboration between the University of Bradford and the University of Huddersfield. It involves young adults, including university students and members of the public with myopia, who are fitted with either spectacles or contact lenses designed to correct their vision.

Researchers monitor participants over time, assessing changes in their vision by measuring:

• The strength of their prescription (refraction)
• The axial length of the eye (the distance from the front to the back of the eye)

These measurements help determine whether the interventions slow the progression of myopia. Participants attend follow-up appointments every six months to provide updated data. The findings will contribute to a research paper on myopia progression in people in their 20s.

Recognition of Research Leadership

Professor Mallen was awarded the Life Fellowship of the College of Optometrists in November 2025, an honour recognising significant contributions to eye health in the UK. Earlier in 2025, he was also made an Honorary Fellow of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), a distinction held by only a few optometrists.

Professor Mallen joined the University of Bradford in 2003 and has a background in community optometry and academic research. He described receiving the Life Fellowship as a proud achievement.

Additional Information

The University of Bradford’s Myopia Management Clinic, established in 2017, responds to the increasing prevalence of myopia locally and globally. The clinic remains open to new patients.

This ongoing research aligns with the university’s strategic goals to advance research and innovation while addressing significant public health challenges. The collaboration with the University of Huddersfield exemplifies a commitment to partnership and knowledge sharing.