A KEIGHLEY opticians is leading the way regionally in the battle against myopia.

Airedale Opticians has invested in equipment which is a major weapon in slowing the short-sightedness in children.

Myopia is currently on the increase, with the World Health Organisation predicting that by 2050 half of children will be affected.

The new equipment, the Myah, helps monitor eye growth.

"We're thrilled to be adding this to our arsenal to keep our children seeing better for longer," said Mo Hafejee, optometrist at Airedale Opticians – which also has a branch in Cross Hills.

"Where previously we gauged the extent of a patient's myopia by looking at their prescription, we're now able to give more emphasis to the axial length of the eye.

"Using the data, we can plot the likely progression of the myopia.

"We have launched a myopia control clinic and there are a number of treatment options available."