Fighting the cause - Editorial from Ramesh Kekunnaya of WSPOS

Myopia in children is rapidly becoming an epidemic across the world. Parents are always anxious to know whether we can stop the progression of the ever-increasing power of their children’s spectacles. The cover story by Dr Soosan Jacob in this issue of EuroTimes provides an insight into the most common issues associated with myopia and the preventive aspect of its progression. It is an excellent article and I urge all my paediatric colleagues to read it. EuroTimes would also welcome any comments or observations on the story. The scientific committee of the World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (WSPOS) is constantly trying to provide Consensus Statements for controversial topics in the field of paediatric ophthalmology, eye movement abnormalities and strabismus. The Myopia Intervention Consensus Statement is one such effort to provide a concise guideline on the prevention of myopia progression. This document is very handy for parents as well as treating ophthalmologists. In addition, WSPOS constantly engages in educating ophthalmologists about childhood eye disorders. WSPOS also encourages paediatric ophthalmologists to improve their technique based on some unique surgeries done in adults by ophthalmologists. In a nutshell, WSPOS tries to bridge the gap between paediatric eye care and adult eye care professionals, thereby finally providing the best eye care for children. The 2016 WSPOS Subspecialty Day on 9 September, which preceded the XXXIV Congress of the ESCRS in Copenhagen, Denmark, was an event attended by close to 150 ophthalmologists who tend to children’s eyes in their ophthalmic practice, from all around the world. Paediatric cataract, strabismus (including nystagmus), and retinopathy of prematurity were among the main topics discussed. It was an extremely instructive session with an immense exchange of knowledge by all present. We are now working on one of the biggest events in the history of paediatric ophthalmology – the 4th World Congress of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (WCPOS) in 2017, which is slated to take place in India. True to our Mission Statement Expertise Does Not Reside In One Part Of The World, we are ensuring that our invited global experts will make a difference in learning and sharing of knowledge for paediatric ophthalmologists residing in and around this part of the world. We are expecting a large number of Southeast Asian delegates to attend the 4th WCPOS, thereby making 
it a very big, and more importantly, very valuable meeting to attend. We look forward to seeing you in huge numbers for the 4th WCPOS IV in India, from 1-3 December 2017. Further information on the meeting is available at: wspos.org

• Ramesh Kekunnaya is an Executive Bureau Member of WSPOS