To advance the education of future eye care professionals in myopia management and specialty contact lenses, CooperVision and CooperVision Specialty EyeCare recently sponsored the fourth annual Contact Lens and Pediatric Residency Summit. The event—which took place both virtually and in person earlier this month—brought together the 2020-2021 class of contact lens and pediatric residents from more than 20 educational institutions across the U.S. and Canada.
The program helped attendees build confidence in selecting and fitting contact lenses, including those for myopia management such as MiSight® 1 day or Paragon CRT®. In addition to learning strategies to advance overall patient care, residents had the opportunity to participate in hands-on and instrument-driven Onefit MEDTM scleral contact lens fittings.
“By bringing together current and future leaders in optometry, the summit provided an opportunity for collaboration to enhance the profession, ensuring that our collective approach to patient care incorporates cutting-edge contact lens technology,” said Michele Andrews, OD, Vice President, Professional & Government Affairs, Americas, CooperVision. “To bear witness to the passion and skills of these residents was truly a privilege. We look forward to continued partnership as they progress through their careers.”
Eye care professionals certified with CooperVision’s Brilliant Futures™ Myopia Management Program—including Dr. Andrew Neukirch, Dr. Ashley Tucker and Dr. Keith Wan—led a panel discussion on how to maximize CooperVision’s entire contact lens portfolio. Additionally, clinical and research experts across the contact lens, myopia management and irregular cornea categories hosted a series of workshops and breakout sessions on various topics, including the evolution of contact lenses, contact lenses for all ages, common misconceptions about myopia management, and how to build a contact lens practice.
“Events like the Contact Lens and Pediatric Residency Summit offer a mutually beneficial experience,” said Dr. Juan Carlos Aragόn, president, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare. “While residents receive a deeper education on some of the latest developments in contact lenses, we also learn from hearing their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges they’re seeing as they enter the field.”