International Ophthalmology Panel Calls for Recognizing and Treating Childhood Myopia as a Disease

CooperVision Convenes Expert Pediatric Roundtable;
New White Paper Encourages Early Treatment, Education, and Advocacy

SAN RAMON, CALIF., May 8, 2023—Responding to one of the greatest eye health issues in a generation, nine internationally recognized pediatric ophthalmologists have come together to call for greater recognition of childhood myopia as a disease and earlier treatment of children. Their perspectives are now available as a white paper with the support of CooperVision, the global leader in myopia control and management. The publication can be downloaded here.

The expert pediatric panel, representing clinical practice and academia, includes Robert A. Clark, MD, Laura B. Enyedi, MD, K. David Epley, MD, Li Lian Foo, MD, Francisco Javier Hurtado, MD, Imran Jawaid, MD, Benjamin R. LaHood, MD, Christie L. Morse, MD, and Rupa K. Wong MD.

 The paper explores the evolution of myopia management as the standard of care, offers patient and parent education guidance, and provides insights into growing a successful myopia management practice. It also reviews the latest pharmacologic, optical, and behavioral interventions in the fast-growing sector.

 “The resounding direction from this esteemed group affirms that treating myopia progression early and as close to onset is essential to lowering the risk for myopic pathology that may lead to permanent visual impairment,” said Michele Andrews, OD, Vice President, Professional & Government Affairs, Americas, CooperVision. “Managing myopia progression in children increasingly requires mutual support from a spectrum of healthcare professionals: ophthalmologists, optometrists, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and school nurses. We are encouraged by ophthalmology leaders recognizing this, taking action, and urging their colleagues to do the same.”

 The publication comes at the heels of CooperVision’s new multi-faceted consumer and professional outreach campaign to protect children’s vision and advance myopia control education in the United States. The “Make Children’s Sight Your Fight” initiative is rooted in new company-commissioned U.S. parent and eye care professional research, which shows progress in strengthening awareness and action, while also spotlighting opportunities to do more. CooperVision^® MiSight^® 1 day remains the first and only soft contact lens approved by the FDA* and China NMPA** to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8-12 at the initiation of treatment.^1† It is the only myopia control intervention for age-appropriate children on the U.S. market²—a critical distinction from other myopia management options.

 For more information on CooperVision’s myopia management products and resources, eye care professionals can connect with their CooperVision representative or visit CooperVision.com.

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*U.S. 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, Peixoto-de-Matos SC, Logan NS, Ngo C, Jones D, Young G. A 3-year Randomized Clinical Trial of MiSight® Lenses for Myopia Control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019 Aug;96(8):556-567.

² Only FDA approved soft contact lens designed for myopia control in the U.S.

**China Indications for Use: MiSight® 1 day is indicated for the correction of myopia for patients with non-diseased phakic eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 D to -4.00 D with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. It has the dual focal design with alternative multiple rings, which allows part of the light passing through the optical zone to focus in front of the retina, forming myopic defocus with the expectation to slow the change of axial length of the patients. Fitting and evaluation of the product should be in medical institutions by ophthalmologists with an intermediate title or above and with regular monitoring. It must be used in strict accordance with the IFU requirements.