The Inaugural Event Fostered Education and Collaboration to Drive Change
NASHVILLE, Sept. 23, 2024—Change Agents from all states convened in Chicago September 6-8 for The Myopia Collective’s inaugural Change Agent Workshop. The three-day event offered presentations on scientific advancements, educational seminars on community engagement, and networking opportunities, empowering participants with the knowledge and tools to enhance myopia management in their practices and strengthen their advocacy efforts. A collaboration between the American Optometric Association (AOA) and CooperVision, The Myopia Collective unites eye care professionals (ECPs), researchers, and advocates to shift the focus from merely correcting myopia to providing comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for children.
"The passion and energy of this Change Agent cohort truly brought this initiative to life," said Michele Andrews, OD, Vice President, Marketing and Professional Affairs, Americas, CooperVision. "The workshop marked a pivotal moment for The Myopia Collective, as it provided ECPs with the resources needed to drive meaningful change and innovation in myopia management within their practices and communities.”
The weekend kicked off with a 'Myopia Mile Walk,' where Change Agents led by example by promoting outdoor time, taking to the iconic Chicago Riverwalk before immersing themselves in educational sessions. Topics included proven techniques for growing a myopia management practice, strategies for state and federal outreach, and updates to the current landscape of children’s vision. Networking opportunities were both scheduled and organically fostered throughout the event, encouraging collaboration, inspiration, and mutual learning among participants.
“The community we've built is one of The Myopia Collective’s greatest assets and we deeply appreciate Change Agents’ openness and enthusiasm throughout the weekend, which helped strengthen and cultivate those valuable relationships,” said Jacquie Bowen, OD, AOA President-elect. “The Change Agents are integral to a larger movement, each with the potential to inspire change individually, but together, they hold the power to advocate for a profound and lasting impact.”
At the close of the workshop, the Change Agents were encouraged to channel the passion and energy from the weekend into their myopia management practices, extend their community outreach and advocacy efforts, and continue to draw on each other for advice, guidance, and inspiration.
For more information about The Myopia Collective, including practice resources and how to become a member, please visit www.myopiacollective.org.
###
About the American Optometric Association
The American Optometric Association (AOA) is the leading authority on and advocate for quality eye health care, representing more than 49,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and optometric professionals. As the sole primary eye care provider in many communities across America, doctors of optometry are often a patient's first entry point into the health care system, and have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat, and manage disorders, diseases, and injuries that affect the eye and visual system. Through a nationwide public health initiative, AOA's Eye Deserve More campaign is fostering awareness of the importance of eye health and vision care and the overall health benefits of in-person, comprehensive eye examinations with AOA doctors of optometry for all Americans.
About CooperVision
CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of contact lenses. The company produces a full array of daily disposable, two-week, and monthly soft contact lenses that feature advanced materials and optics, and premium rigid gas permeable lenses for orthokeratology and scleral designs. CooperVision has a strong heritage of addressing the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism, presbyopia, childhood myopia, and irregular corneas; and offers the most complete portfolio of spherical, toric, and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com
About CooperVision
CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of contact lenses. The company produces a full array of daily disposable, two-week, and monthly soft contact lenses that feature advanced materials and optics, and premium rigid gas permeable lenses for orthokeratology and scleral designs. CooperVision has a strong heritage of addressing the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism, presbyopia, childhood myopia, and irregular corneas; and offers the most complete portfolio of spherical, toric, and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com
About CooperCompanies
CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO) is a leading global medical device company focused on improving lives one person at a time. The Company operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision is a trusted leader in the contact lens industry, improving the vision of millions of people every day. CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women’s health company dedicated to assisting women, babies, and families at the healthcare moments that matter most. Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., CooperCompanies has a workforce of more than 15,000 with products sold in over 130 countries. For more information, visit www.coopercos.com
Media Contact
Laura DiCaprio, Senior Counselor
McDougall Communications for CooperVision
Laura@mcdougallpr.com or +1-585-434-2153