Industry leaders partner to make eye health a nationwide priority

A policy advancement and information collaboration was launched by leading eye health advocates, innovators and trusted voices from the eye health community to ensure quality care and improve patient outcomes.

The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety will work to increase the priority of eye health and vision care in the national health agenda, according to a press release from the alliance.

The American Optometric Association and Johnson & Johnson Vision joined the alliance as leadership and charter members, with CooperVision joining as an associate and charter member.

“Through the alliance, we hope to bring attention to the untreated and in some cases undiagnosed vision conditions affecting millions of Americans today — while also ensuring that eye health is a priority in our national health agenda,” Johnson & Johnson Vision North America President Peter Menziuso said in an announcement from the company.

The alliance will build on important eye health and technological advancements and work with patients, policymakers and regulators to deliver transparent and factual information regarding eye health products, procedures, technology and safety, according to the release from the alliance.

“The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety welcomes partners from any organization or company who are aligned in our commitment to advancing patient eye health and vision care,” Chase Cannon, director for the alliance, said in an interview with Primary Care Optometry News. “The alliance looks forward to welcoming partners across different eye health, vision and technology categories.”

“At CooperVision, ensuring that patients have healthy, comfortable and affordable contact lenses is at the heart of what we do. The relationship between well-informed patients and their eye care professionals is essential to successful contact lens wear,” Michele Andrews, OD, CooperVision’s North American senior director of professional and academic affairs, said in a statement provided to PCON. “The alliance provides CooperVision with a valuable opportunity to partner with the AOA and others to help ensure eye health is at the forefront of discussions that affect our industry.”

Cannon added that the AOA has a management agreement with the alliance to provide administrative support as needed, and the group’s efforts are funded by annual dues from participating partners.

For more information on the alliance, contact Cannon via patientsafetytoday.com or chase@patientsafetytoday.com.

The group will connect with patients through Facebook and Twitter and, as more initiatives get underway, the organization will use public relations and select marketing tactics to help educate patients, Cannon said.

The Alliance is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(6) incorporated in Delaware. – by Abigail Sutton