New global coalition tackles myopia awareness

SAN ANTONIO – Ophthalmic organizations and industry convened here at the American Academy of Optometry meeting to discuss a collaborative effort to educate the public on the growing myopia epidemic.

The new Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) approved a governance structure and funding mechanism to formally launch its efforts, according to a press release from the group.

“Industry leaders in myopia will create the coalition, appoint a board, and provide funding to develop and deploy a public-facing message,” the release said. The group’s global efforts will be supported by the World Council of Optometry.

Participants included representatives from Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision/Paragon, Essilor, Euclid Systems Corp., Hoya, Menicon, Nevakar, Treehouse Eyes, Vision Council, Vision Impact Institute, Visioneering Technologies, World Council of Optometry and Zeiss.

The group discussed educating both health care professionals and the public, in particular, using consistent vocabulary with the public. Participants agreed to avoid advocating a particular type of myopia management, the release said.

The GMAC established its mission: “Promote public awareness of childhood myopia as an important and treatable condition through direct-to-consumer channels and health promotion efforts with governments, nongovernment organizations, the eye care community and other health care associations,” it announced in the release.

Participants also recognized the importance of coordinating communication efforts globally with other organizations, and they agreed to avoid discussing clinical work.

Attendee Thomas Aller, OD, FBCLA, told Primary Care Optometry News: “I expect that with the commitments received from the important industry partners at this meeting, there is a good chance that a meaningful change can be made in how myopia is understood by the public and how myopia will be treated in the future.” – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO

Disclosure: Aller reports that he serves on the Clinical Guidelines Committee for the International Myopia Institute, is a consultant to the Brien Holden Vision Institute and is scientific and clinical advisor to TreeHouse Eyes.