With 58% of North American residents expected to have myopia by 20501, CooperVision is committed to investing in the long-term growth of myopia management. In that spirt, the company has launched an initiative that will impact the eye care profession and patients for decades to come—the CooperVision Student Myopia Leadership Society.
Each of the 23 schools and colleges of optometry across the United States and Canada have designated a third-year student for participation, based on their interest in the disease, academic performance and other school-determined criteria. Selected students serve a one-year term.
Participants receive several opportunities to collaborate with their peers, hear from myopia management experts, improve their understanding of evidence-based science, and gain insights into successful practice operations. The students are also offered travel grants to two educational industry events of their choosing, including the American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting, Global Specialty Lens Symposium, Vision by Design, and the Global Myopia Symposium.
In addition, the myopia student leaders are invited to complete Brilliant Futures™ certification, which includes MiSight® 1 day soft contact lenses for myopia control in children aged 8 to 12 at the initiation of treatment, as well as Paragon CRT® and iSee® ortho-k lenses for myopia management.
This program joins the rebranded Student Contact Lens Leadership Society, to which all North American schools and colleges of optometry likewise name an annual participant.
“Part of CooperVision’s ongoing commitment to advancing the profession includes investing in its future optometrists,” said Justin Kwan, OD, FAAO, Senior Manager, Myopia Management, CooperVision. “Adding a focused myopia management initiative is a natural evolution of our student ambassador programs. In conjunction with their classroom and clinical education, our guidance will better prepare them to be the myopia management advocates of tomorrow.”
The 2021-2022 class of student leaders joined CooperVision at an exclusive welcome reception during the recent American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting in Boston.
“I’m excited to be part of such a unique network and a nourishing environment. With a deeper knowledge of myopia management, we will be able to educate parents, patients, and peers to truly make a difference,” said Alia Raad, Illinois College of Optometry student and member of the CooperVision Student Myopia Leadership Society inaugural class.
For more information about CooperVision’s Student Myopia Leadership Society and the Student Contact Lens Leadership Society, please visit ECP Viewpoints' Optometry Students & Educators page or email professionalaffairs@coopervision.com.
