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New myopia task force to establish care protocol
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Essilor announced its establishment of the Myopia Taskforce to create a recommended and preferred method for comprehensive myopia care as part of the Myopia Initiative in Action program.
“Myopia is more than simply a refractive error and it is increasing at an alarming rate,” task force member John Lahr, OD, FAAO, said in a press release from Essilor. “While refractive error remains the primary reason that most individuals seek eye examinations, we must view and treat myopia with a more comprehensive approach going forward.”
Fourteen vision experts have signed on to participate in the Myopia Taskforce, including Thomas Aller, OD, FBCLA; David Anderson, OD; Craig M. Brawley, OD, FAAO; Mark A. Bullimore, MCOptom, PhD; Alan N. Glazier, OD; Lahr; Maria Liu, OD, PhD, MPH, MBA, FAAO; Pamela Lowe, OD, FAAO; Moshe Mendelson, OD; Pamela J. Miller, OD, FAAO, JD, FNAP; Yi Pang, MD, OD, PhD, FAAO; Earl L. Smith III, OD, PhD; Long D. Tran, OD, FAAO; and David Troilo, PhD.
“Myopia is a significant and growing health concern with lifelong consequences for adults and particularly children in the U.S. and around the world, Aller told Primary Care Optometry News. “For 25 years, I have been committed to changing the standard of care for myopia, and the development of the Myopia Initiative in Action program gives me the opportunity to partner with Essilor to make myopia matter to everyone.
“Our first priority is to drive advocacy for more aggressive myopia management, including developing a recommended protocol for comprehensive myopia care,” he continued. “I hope to encourage and empower other professionals to take action to curb the growth of myopia and protect our children’s future sight.”
A new recommended and preferred protocol, as established by the Myopia Taskforce, will be available to the ophthalmic industry later this year, according to the company’s press release.
Disclosure: Aller reports he is a consultant for Essilor; a speaker, investigator, editor and consultant for Visioneering; an investigator for SpecialEyes; and an advisor for both Treehouse Eyes and Reopia LLC.