International Ophthalmology Panel Calls for Recognizing and Treating Childhood Myopia as a Disease

Responding to one of the greatest eye health issues in a generation, nine internationally recognized pediatric ophthalmologists have come together to call for greater recognition of childhood myopia as a disease and earlier treatment of children. Their perspectives are now available as a white paper with the support of CooperVision, the global leader in myopia control and management. The publication can be downloaded here.

The expert pediatric panel, representing clinical practice and academia, includes Robert A. Clark, MD; Laura B. Enyedi, MD; K. David Epley, MD; Li Lian Foo, MD; Francisco Javier Hurtado, MD; Imran Jawaid, MD; Benjamin R. LaHood, MD; Christie L. Morse, MD; and Rupa K. Wong MD. 

The paper explores the evolution of myopia management as the standard of care, offers patient and parent education guidance, and provides insights into growing a successful myopia management practice. It also reviews the latest pharmacologic, optical, and behavioral interventions in the fast-growing sector. 

“The resounding direction from this esteemed group affirms that treating myopia progression early and as close to onset is essential to lowering the risk for myopic pathology that may lead to permanent visual impairment,” said Michele Andrews, OD, Vice President, Professional & Government Affairs, Americas, CooperVision. “Managing myopia progression in children increasingly requires mutual support from a spectrum of healthcare professionals: ophthalmologists, optometrists, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and school nurses. We are encouraged by ophthalmology leaders recognizing this, taking action, and urging their colleagues to do the same.” 

The publication comes at the heels of CooperVision’s new multi-faceted consumer and professional outreach campaign to protect children’s vision and advance myopia control education in the United States. The “Make Children’s Sight Your Fight” initiative is rooted in new company-commissioned U.S. parent and eye care professional research, which shows progress in strengthening awareness and action, while also spotlighting opportunities to do more. CooperVision MiSight 1 day remains the first and only soft contact lens approved by the FDA and China NMPA to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment, according to CooperVision [1]. It is the only myopia control intervention for age-appropriate children on the U.S. market[2]—a distinction from other myopia management options.

For more information on CooperVision’s myopia management products and resources, eye care professionals can connect with their CooperVision representative or visit CooperVision.com.

References

1. Chamberlain P, Peixoto-de-Matos SC, Logan NS, Ngo C, Jones D, Young G. A 3-year Randomized Clinical Trial of MiSight® Lenses for Myopia Control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019 Aug;96(8):556-567.

2. Only FDA approved soft contact lens designed for myopia control in the U.S.