Assoc. Prof. Dr. Olavi Pärssinen is a highly respected Finnish ophthalmologist and researcher whose pioneering contributions have significantly advanced global understanding of myopia, refractive development, and ophthalmic epidemiology. Educated and trained in Finland’s leading medical institutions, he has combined an outstanding career in clinical ophthalmology with decades of influential academic research. As a medical doctor, ophthalmic specialist, and PhD scholar, his professional life reflects an exceptional blend of patient care, clinical innovation, and scientific inquiry. His long-standing research focus on myopia began early in his academic career, leading to one of the most extensive follow-up studies of childhood myopia, which continues to yield valuable insights into refractive development and environmental and genetic influences. Beyond his landmark work in myopia, his investigations have addressed cataract surgery outcomes, genetics in refraction, and the epidemiology of visual health, positioning him among Europe’s foremost figures in vision research. In addition to his research leadership, he has served in various influential professional roles including board and chair positions in national ophthalmological and contact lens societies, and has represented Finland in several European ophthalmic organizations. His participation in international collaborations such as the CREAM consortium, CRAM kids, and MRC consortium underscores his commitment to multidisciplinary and global approaches in ophthalmic science, particularly in the integration of genetics and artificial intelligence to predict myopia progression. A long-standing reviewer and editorial board member of Acta Ophthalmologica, and an advisor to Santen EMEA, he continues to shape the direction of ophthalmic research and practice worldwide. With over a hundred scientific publications, Olavi Pärssinen stands as a leading figure in the study of myopia and visual health, blending clinical expertise, scientific rigor, and international collaboration to advance eye care and vision science.
Featured Publications:
Pärssinen, O., et al. (2025). The prevalence of myopia in Finnish conscripts has not increased in recent decades and is lower than in many East and Southeast Asian countries. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.
Pärssinen, O. (2025). Myopia 2025: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, treatment and complications. Editorial.
Pärssinen, O. (2025). Factors associated with the high prevalence of myopia and its decrease—A historical review. Note.
Pärssinen, O., et al. (2025). Comparative analysis of cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic refraction techniques for assessing refractive error in adults: A population-based study. Clinical and Experimental Optometry.
Pärssinen, O., et al. (2025). Predicting children’s myopia risk: A Monte Carlo approach to compare the performance of machine learning models. Conference Paper.
Pärssinen, O., et al. (2023). Rare variant analyses across multiethnic cohorts identify novel genes for refractive error. Communications Biology.
Pärssinen, O., et al. (2023). A new polygenic score for refractive error improves detection of children at risk of high myopia but not the prediction of those at risk of myopic macular degeneration. Ebiomedicine.