‘What more can I do?’ Change Agents ready to advance myopia care

Transformative change in the standard of myopia care is the focus of a pioneering group of optometric and industry leaders coming off a landmark workshop. 

The inaugural Myopia Collective Workshop in Chicago, Sept. 6-8, brought together over 60 Change Agents, doctors of optometry from across the country who seek to lead the profession in consistently delivering myopia control to patients and advocate for long-term policy changes both locally and nationally. Their goal: to trigger a paradigm shift in pediatric eye care that refuses to stop at just vision correction but actually treats myopia from getting worse so quickly.  

A partnership by the AOA and CooperVision, The Myopia Collective Workshop provided doctors a collaborative environment to discuss: 

• Best practices for pediatric myopia management, including how to communicate more effectively, practice in an evidence-based manner and maximize their successes.
• How to engage with local policymakers and their communities about the need for and benefit of early intervention among pediatric myopia patients. 

Alongside Michele Andrews, O.D., vice president, marketing and professional affairs, Americas, and Justin Kwan, O.D., head of myopia management, with CooperVision, AOA President-elect Jacquie M. Bowen, O.D., opened the workshop by noting the historical significance of this first cohort of Change Agents, devoting time and energy toward carrying forth the standard of care.  

“It takes a unified dedication to drive this level of change, and we are looking to all of you to be leaders of this goal to elevate the standard of care for children with myopia,” Dr. Bowen said. “The community we’ve built here is a powerful resource—lean on each other, support one another and keep this dialogue going.” 

Adds Dr. Kwan: “We encourage you to fully embrace this opportunity to connect, collaborate and learn from one another as you are surrounded by some of the brightest minds and most dedicated individuals in the field. The relationships you build here will play a vital role in driving better care, necessary care, for children with myopia.” 

As participants came from different practice types with varying degrees of experience in myopia management, the workshop delivered multiple panel opportunities for doctors of optometry to access the tools and resources they need to bring myopia management principles into their practice, including: 

• How to communicate myopia management to parents and patients. 
• How to market myopia management in your practice. 
• The research behind myopia management. 
• How to advocate for children’s vision in your state.

Engaging, advocating for children’s vision and eye health 

Concerning advocacy, fellow Ohioans AOA Secretary-Treasurer Terri A. Gossard, O.D., MS, and Ohio Optometric Foundation President Shane Foster, O.D., shared how advocacy led to the prioritization of pediatric eye care with Gov. Mike DeWine’s announcement of a Children’s Vision Strike Force during his 2024 State of the State Address. The plans envisage a path for every child who fails a vision screening to receive a follow-up comprehensive eye exam and eyeglasses if necessary. 

As a member of the Children’s Vision Strike Force, Dr. Foster says the ability to effect change at the highest levels of state government for children has been “amazing.” Already, the Strike Force has had the opportunity to meet with the Ohio Department of Medicaid on the struggles optometrists and their patients face regarding Medicaid services, as well as approaching the subject of workforce development and student loan repayment programs for optometrists providing care in underserved areas. 

In attending The Myopia Collective Workshop not only as a presenter but as an attendee, Dr. Foster says he was able to learn, strategize, educate and collaborate on ways to help stem myopia progression. 

"The Myopia Collective Workshop was quite different from most of the professional meetings I have attended recently, because it was a unique opportunity to bring together doctors from all 50 states, DC and Canada, who are all passionate about children’s vision and who are excited to help lead the way as our industry confronts the myopia epidemic,” Dr. Foster says. “Together, The Myopia Collective can create a paradigm shift in our clinical management of our young patients with progressive myopia.” 

Additionally, AOA Vice President Teri K. Geist, O.D., former chair of the Nebraska Foundation for Children’s Vision, and Melissa Petro, O.D., program director for the Association for Pediatric Vision, discussed their own ways to engage educators, community members and legislators on the importance of pediatric vision and eye health. 

But it’s not only at a state level where advocacy is taking place for children’s vision. Dr. Bowen provided participants with an update on the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-FL, and Marc Veasey, D-TX, that would provide grants for state and communities to establish, modernize or improve state-based programs that foster coordinated systems of care for children’s eye vision and eye health. 

Backed by the AOA, the EDVI Act would establish the first federally funded program to address children’s vision and eye health. But, Dr. Bowen noted, it’s just a starting point and not the finish line. 

“It’s imperative right now that members of Congress hear our voice to remind them that this is an important issue to doctors of optometry across the country,” Dr. Bowen said. “We’ve talked all weekend about the power of working collectively, and this is an opportune time to work together to push a goal to the finish line.” 

‘What more can I do?’ 

Channeling a keynote message from John O’Leary, who as a 9 year old was given less than a 1% chance to live after a burning incident, participants were challenged that no idea is too big or unattainable if you stay true to three questions: Why did you start this journey, where are you going next and who can help you along the way? And it’s through that line of questioning that participants naturally come to a final question—what more can I do?  

Ultimately, that motivation is the driving factor behind The Myopia Collective. With estimates predicting nearly half of North America’s population becoming myopic by 2030 and onset typically in younger and younger school-aged children, the need for intervention is critical. 

In 2023, the AOA surveyed doctors of optometry and found 69% of respondents provided myopia management services in their practices. Yet, of those who didn’t provide that level of care, the results highlighted three areas of concern expressed by doctors: 

• Accessing scientific evidence for support of myopia management. 
• Lacking the clinical care equipment, materials and strategies. 
• Fears that cost might drive patients away. 

But here is where The Myopia Collective seeks to make a difference. By becoming a member of The Myopia Collective, doctors can gain access to educational opportunities, information and resources to fight myopia. 

Learn more about the Change Agents in your area.