Contact Lens Educators Convene to Share Insights and Review
Recent Advancements in Specialty Contact Lens Technology
SAN RAMON, Calif., February 4, 2021—For the sixth consecutive year, CooperVision and CooperVision Specialty EyeCare sponsored the Educators’ Meeting at the 2021 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS). The meeting—which took place virtually in January—brought together contact lens faculty for education and collaboration.
All schools and colleges of optometry across North America were provided the opportunity to learn more about trends and advancements in specialty contact lens technology over the past year, including the latest updates on MiSight® 1 day—the first FDA approved* soft contact lens designed for myopia control, and proven to slow myopia progression in children aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment.†1 Among these updates included an overview of the MiSight 1-day six-year study results, presented by Paul Chamberlain, BSc(Hons), Director of Research Programs, CooperVision.
Participants also learned about the Brilliant Futures™ Myopia Management Program certification for optometry students and had the opportunity in breakout sessions to discuss best practices for teaching and practicing myopia management in their academic clinics. Attendees then voted on which groups provided the most helpful best practices. Those who earned the most votes each selected a charity to receive a donation from CooperVision, resulting in a total of $2,500 donated to the American Academy of Optometry Foundation, Optometry Cares, and Vision to Learn.
“The Educators’ Meeting is an incredible opportunity to continue building our partnership with contact lens faculty to enhance the education of future eye care professionals,” said Michele Andrews, OD, Vice President, Professional & Government Affairs, CooperVision. “Beyond the product education and updates, it’s the ability to hear directly from educators that is most valuable. Understanding the questions and issues they’re facing helps us to refocus our efforts to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s optometry students.”
Experts from CooperVision Specialty EyeCare also provided updates to attendees, including information on the new 5 mm customization for Paragon CRT® and Paragon CRT Dual Axis® contact lenses, the relaunch of Onefit MED+ scleral contact lenses, and the announcement of the latest Paragon CRT® topography guided fitting software, which is slated to launch in February.
“With the industry constantly changing, it’s imperative to identify, interpret and share the latest trends to better address the needs of our partners,” said Kelly Voltz, OD, FAAO, FSLS, Senior Manager, Professional & Academic Affairs, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare. “Since 2015, we’ve connected in this forum with contact lens educators and students across North America. Even in a virtual setting, the value of that collaboration exceeded our expectations.”
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*Indications for use: MiSight® 1 day (omafilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded after each removal.
†Compared to a single vision 1 day lens over a 3 year period.
1 Chamberlain P, et al. A 3-year randomized clinical trial of MiSight® lenses for myopia control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019; 96(8):556-567.
About CooperVision
CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (NYSE: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 highly 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 ("Cooper") is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE:COO). Cooper operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of women, babies and families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on medical devices and fertility & genomics. Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., Cooper has a workforce of more than 12,000 with products sold in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com.
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