The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has focused Issue 75 of Contact Lens Update to exploring current and future pharmacological treatments, and how they compare to multifocal contact lenses. The independent, bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com.

“Understanding the treatment strategies for presbyopia is essential. Since there is no universally perfect solution, success lies in selecting and customizing the appropriate treatment for each individual patient,” said Daddi Fadel, DOptom, FSLS, FBCLA, FAAO, FIACLE, a clinical scientist at CORE. “Advancements in pharmacological treatments have led to various ophthalmic solutions, with additional options currently under investigation. Integrating therapeutics into the array of management strategies may provide practitioners and patients with broader choices for effective treatment.”

Optimal presbyopia management outcomes, with the goal of ensuring the best visual performance at all distances, hinge on understanding the advantages and limitations of each option in accordance with patient needs and ocular conditions. As pharmacological treatments progress, it remains crucial for eye care practitioners to incorporate these management strategies in their arsenal and remain abreast of the latest developments to offer personalized solutions.

Leading off the Diamond Jubilee issue are Dr. Elisabeth Van Aken, an ophthalmologist, retina specialist and assistant professor at Ghent University, Belgium, alongside Dr. Joris Delanghe, professor in Clinical Chemistry at Ghent University, Belgium and editor-in-chief of Clinica Chimica Acta.  Their opening editorial comprehensively reviews  pharmacological treatments for presbyopia, providing a detailed summary of the current solutions available.

Dr. Selina McGee, founder of Precision Vision of Edmond and co-founder of Precision Vision of Midwest City, specializes in dry eye, contact lenses, and aesthetics, and holds an adjunct faculty position at Northeastern State University College of Optometry. Her feature article reviews existing therapeutic drops and those in clinical trials, evaluating their potential for significant improvements in near and intermediate vision.

Dr. Jacob Lang, chair of the Anterior Segment Section at the American Academy of Optometry and frequent ophthalmic publications contributor, is joined by Dr. Noa Robson, an ocular disease resident at Associated Eye Care in Stillwater, Minn. to author the issue’s clinical insight. Their case report underscores the importance of listening to each patient’s needs, consider the ocular surface, and explore diverse options to determine the optimal individualized treatment.

The conference highlight is presented by Dr. Shane Kannarr, a specialist in contact lenses, ocular disease treatment, and low vision. His featured poster evaluates reading performance and associated satisfaction in mild presbyopia treated with 1.25% pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution. The findings indicate improved visual outcomes with the drug compared to the vehicle.

In addition to a complete archive of back issues, ContactLensUpdate.com offers a resource library that provides no-cost professional tools, patient resources, images and video. It also houses complimentary technical training videos produced by International Association of Contact Lens Educators, plus an industry glossary.

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Myopia Profile concludes 2023 by celebrating the significant community impact of its My Kids Vision (www.mykidsvision.org) website. This free resource for parents, which provides easy-to-digest, evidence-based information on myopia and its management, has measurably heightened awareness and education, particularly following substantial platform upgrades in 2022. 

“Our motivation behind revamping My Kids Vision was to streamline the communication of the entire myopia message, recognizing that the intricacies involved could be a barrier to effective myopia management,” said Dr. Kate Gifford, co-founder of Myopia Profile. “Since the site’s relaunch, we’ve experienced an impressive 160% surge in pageviews, indicating an increase in parents and caregivers turning to our platform for informed decision-making regarding the vision health of their children.” 

Newly reported for 2023, ECPs across 194 countries regularly access My Kids Vision as an invaluable resource in guiding parents through their child’s myopia management journey. The platform experienced major global growth, with a 170% increase in the U.S., 155% in the U.K., and 165% in Canada.

This widespread adoption is noteworthy as it ensures that an expanding number of countries, through access to the site’s Knowledge Center, are benefitting from over 50 articles explaining myopia, treatment options, and children’s vision. This growth not only emphasizes the global reach of My Kids Vision but also facilitates interventions that can optimize the vision and eye health outcomes of children with myopia well into their adult lives.

“Leveraging the My Kids Vision website is invaluable for patient education at my practice. Instructional videos, especially on the art of contact lens handling, save time and positively impact patient and parent readiness for discussions on myopia management,” said Dr. Heidi Hunter, optometrist and managing director at Custom Eyecare, Newcastle, Australia. “The site provides clarity, professionalism, and expert insights and serves as a guiding light, offering much-needed information, reassurance, and empowerment for informed decisions about children’s eye health,” said Dr. David Kading, optometrist at Specialty Eye, Seattle, Washington.

Several key features of My Kids Vision are currently available in seven languages. Additional languages for the Knowledge Center and other content are in development. For more information, visit www.mykidvision.org.

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Industry veteran Robert Weiss, former president and CEO of CooperCompanies and one of the largest individual donors to Optometry Giving Sight (OGS), recently visited Hanoi, Vietnam, to see firsthand the OGS-supported work being done to expand optometry in the country. He met with optometry students and pediatric eye care patients and shared his reflections.

“Myopia is a pandemic, and the visit confirmed the high degree to which we see it. There is still a lot of work to be done in Vietnam and globally,” said Weiss. “A lack of vision is a lack of quality of life. If you can’t see, you can’t read, you can’t play sports—there’s just so much you can’t do. You’re missing the world. But we have the tools to not only correct myopia but prevent its progression.”

Weiss’s connection to Vietnam is a personal one. His recent visit marked his first time back since serving in the Medical Service Corps in the Vietnam War.

“Back then, I went into villages to provide medical care. A lot was going on to help improve the quality of life in Vietnam, but there were no ODs. The profession didn’t exist then like it does now,” said Weiss.

His time in the war inspired Weiss to personally help fund projects to expand optometry in Vietnam, working with key partners Optometry Giving Sight, the Brien Holden Foundation, and Hanoi Medical University (HMU). Together, they established the Pediatric Refractive Error Training Centre (PRETC) in Hanoi and the country’s first optometry school at HMU. In November, Weiss was able to spend some time there.

“I visited the pediatric center and sat one-on-one with three patients, all needing vision correction. None of their parents had myopia,” he said. “It reiterated the trend brought about by less time outdoors and all the near work they’re doing—reading, tablets, TVs, you name it. It showed me just how important it is to minimize the growth in the prevalence of myopia—and its progression—from a long-term perspective.”

Since its inception in 2019, eye care professionals at the PRETC have performed more than 20,000 eye exams, nearly 10,000 screenings, and dispensed more than 4,000 pairs of eyeglasses. At HMU’s optometry school, 233 trained optometrists have graduated, and there are currently 78 students enrolled in the program.

“I spoke to the new class of optometry students and told them how hard they will have to work. I also saw some of the students in action as they performed eye exams at a local primary school. Seeing their eagerness to learn and continue the profession gives me hope for the future,” said Weiss.

Following his retirement as president and CEO in 2018, Weiss took on the role of chairman of the board of directors for CooperCompanies, a position he still currently holds. Weiss also previously served as president of CooperVision, the contact lens subsidiary of CooperCompanies, and held several other roles within the company since joining in 1977. CooperVision is the largest donor in OGS history, having contributed more than $4 million over the lifetime of the organization.

Individually, Weiss is also one of the largest donors in OGS history, having donated a total of $340,000. Weiss said that after visiting the optometry school and clinic in Vietnam, he is even more inspired to continue supporting OGS.

“The need for optometry in Vietnam is an indication of the need in the majority of the world,” said Weiss. “We’re in the second inning of a nine-inning game; we have a long way to go. In the industry, we all have the power to help, and I’m going to do my part to make it happen.”

Contributions from donors like Weiss support the work of OGS to eradicate preventable blindness and vision impairment through the growth and expansion of optometry globally. Over the last 20 years, OGS funding has provided essential eye care services to more than 8 million people, assisted with training more than 14,000 eye care personnel, established more than 130 vision centers, and served people in more than 40 countries. In the last two years alone, OGS has funded more than 30 project partners worldwide, totaling more than $1.5 million in grants. For more information or to donate, visit givingsight.org.

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