MYOPIA, OR SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS, is a growing global health epidemic, says the World Council of Optometry (WCO). Its worldwide virtual event, “Myopia Management: Advancing the Global Standard of Care” featured industry experts who shared their insights on the global standard of care and how they’ve made myopia management an integral part of their work. The WCO introduced the myopia management standard of care resolution in April 2021, defining an evidence-based standard of care comprising the three main pillars of mitigation, measurement, and management. Industry experts predict that nearly 50% of the world’s population will be impacted by myopia by 2050.
CooperVision
Visavy is a web-based fitting software that incorporates topography-guided algorithms to assist in the design and selection of Paragon CRT ortho-k contact lenses for myopia management.
(800) 528-8279 | coopervisionspecialtylenses.com
Johnson & Johnson Vision
Acuvue Abiliti is an overnight ortho-k contact lens that is approved by the FDA for myopia management.
(877) 334-3937 | seeyourabiliti.com
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CooperVision
MiSight 1 day is the first and only soft contact lens for slowing the progression of myopia in age-appropriate children.
(800) 528-8279 | coopervisionspecialtylenses.com
Santinelli Group
SnapVision, a one frame, multilens solution for myopic and presbyopic patients who require multi pairs of glasses. A hidden track lets any Rx lens slide into a preset notch.
(516) 381-3413
Treehouse Eyes
At its flagship center in Bethesda, MD (shown) and 70 franchise locations nationwide, Treehouse Centers show doctors and parents how to battle myopia.
treehouseeyes.com
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Smart Ways to Sell Myopia Management Tools
Ashley Tucker, ODBellaire Family Eye Care,
Bellaire, TX
We’re a 50% pediatric practice so we love managing myopia. Parents are coming in with heightened concern because their kids are spending so much time on their tablets, computers, and phones. Most myopic parents will have myopic kids. If both parents are myopic then they’re six times more likely to have a child who is myopic. If one parent is myopic, then they are three times more likely to have a myopic child. They’re looking for a tool that will manage their myopia and slow its progression. We still initially need to educate parents but it’s less of a difficult conversation than it used to be. CooperVision has come out with Visavy software to help practitioners streamline the fitting of ortho-k lenses, like Paragon CRT, which are highly effective at slowing progression. It’s a topography-based fitting which maps out the front surface of the eye, inputs information, then allows you to custom design a lens for the patient. It also allows you to fit a toric contact lens for astigmatism on the cornea. It basically takes the stress out of choosing which type of lens to use. It’s a good program for new fitters. Ortho-k lenses are an excellent tool to combat myopia, as are soft contact lenses, like MiSight 1 day, atropine drops, and pharmaceutical therapy.
Gary Gerber, OD
Treehouse Eyes, San Diego, CA
We founded Treehouse Eyes six years ago because there was a huge need for it. Now we have 70 Treehouse Center franchise locations nationwide inside primary care doctors’ offices. Clinical tools to treat myopia are multifocal soft CLs, ortho-k lenses, atropine eye drops, and atropine used with CLs. Our Treehouse Vision System has algorithms based on peer reviewed data that tell doctors whether to use treatment X or Y. The results came out of a six-year clinical study. We offer messaging for parents to help them understand what we’re prescribing and provide marketing materials. We also have a team of clinical experts to assist. These are all the tools needed to run a successful myopia management practice.