Myopia, Managed.
Myopia management is increasingly top of mind for many practices.
Some of that is simply meeting the needs of current patients. For other practices, and a growing number of groups, however, myopia management is the focus. The result is more available resources and projects than ever before—some of which are geared to optometrists and others to consumers.
Here’s a look at seven top resources and projects today, including vendor-sponsored as well as association- and ECP-driven practice and education programs.
Brien Holden Vision Institute Myopia Education Program:
Resources include interactive case studies, videos, and webinars that are designed to help demonstrate the impact of different myopia management strategies on myopia among patients up to 17 years of age. education.bhvi.org
Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program:
CooperVision announced Brilliant Futures earlier this year, in tandem with the introduction of MiSight 1-day contact lenses in the U.S. Features include a protocol for care and an interactive mobile app to engage patients with the eyecare professional’s practice and its program of care. Support for ECPs who gain certification to implement the program includes ongoing education, specialist support, and a myopia management toolbox. coopervision.com/practitioner/myopia-management
Essilor Myopia Taskforce:
This partnership with 14 leading vision experts was announced last year as part of the company’s larger Myopia Initiative in Action (MIA) program. The goal of the task force is to bring together a group representing diverse areas of myopia expertise and interests to address the issue through both open collaboration and new research. ecpu.com/myopia/TaskForce/
Global Myopia Awareness Coalition:
Comprising more than a dozen healthcare associations and companies, the focus is on raising awareness about the rising incidence of myopia and its long-term risks, along with new treatment options. One recent endeavor—#VisionMission—targeted 10 mommy bloggers who put myopia messaging in front of their 5 million combined followers. Website in development; for information: Matt.Oerding@TreehouseEyes.com
Myopiainstitute.com:
It began as a link to resources for parents in Alan Glazier, O.D.’s Rockville, MD, practice, Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care. It has since mushroomed into a global patient-facing informational site in English and Mandarin with a doctor locator that helps listed doctors position higher in searches for products and services related to myopia control and orthokeratology. myopiainstitute.com
Treehouse Eyes:
Co-founded by Matt Oerding and Gary Gerber, O.D., there are now 10 myopia management-focused Treehouse Eyes locations—some converted practices, some ground-up facilities—around the country. The team behind it includes optometrists and ophthalmologists involved in research and clinical practice, prescribing the treatments that form the basis of its patent-pending clinical protocol, Treehouse Vision System. treehouseeyes.com
Vision Impact Institute (Vii) Resources:
Its overall mission is to raise awareness about the value of vision correction and protection in order to make good vision a priority around the world. As part of its strategy of gathering and communicating pertinent information to all stakeholders, including policymakers and optical industry associates, as well as the public, VII currently offers more than 120 research papers that highlight the global need for more conversations about myopia. visionimpactinstitute.org
During the course of 2020, new myopia programs will sprout up and fresh initiatives will take shape. We’ll keep you informed of their progress, along with other important issues, in this new monthly column.
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