To start off its fifth year of establishment, the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) has named the industry coalition’s 2024 Board of Directors.
Quick refresh on this organization.
Launched in 2019, GMAC is an industry coalition of leading ophthalmic companies and eye health associations within the United States and the United Kingdom.
Its purpose: raising public awareness of viewing childhood myopia as a treatable disease.
What makes it unique?
While it focuses on pediatric myopia, the organization “does not advocate for specific clinical approaches,” according to GMAC. “Instead, it is designed to stimulate public interest and prompt parental conversations with [ECPs].”
And how is it doing that?
By developing messaging campaigns with governments, non-governmental organizations, and other healthcare organizations.
- Target demographic: educating parents/pediatric patients on access to early and regular eye exams plus being more receptive to eyecare professional (ECP) treatment recommendations
So who are its members?
Represented organizations include (but are not limited to):
- EssilorLuxottica
- OneSight / EssilorLuxottica Foundation
- International Myopia Institute
- Johnson & Johnson
- World Council of Optometry
- Jobson
- CooperVision
- SightGlass Vision
- The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)
- American Academy of Optometry (AAO)
- Eyes On Eyecare
Any notable new additions?
Yes! Last August, the coalition announced that the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) officially joined as its 21st member.
See here for the complete member list.
Gotcha. Now let’s talk 2024 board members.
- Enzu Jeon
- Senior Director, Global Strategic Marketing, Pediatric Eye Health Stronghold, Johnson & Johnson Vision
- François Couillard
- CEO, Canadian Association of Optometrists
- Jennifer Lambert
- Senior Director, Global Myopia Management, CooperVision
- Matt Geller, OD
- Co-founder & CEO, Eyes on Eyecare
- Nitin Jain
- President (Americas), Euclid Vision Group
- Bill Scott
- President, Jobson Healthcare Information
- Lori Archer
- CEO, UnitedHealthcare Vision
- Sandra Block, OD, MED, MPH
- President, World Council of Optometry
And the new Board chair?
Olga Prenat, EssilorLuxottica’s head of Medical and Professional Affairs, Global and EMEA, is the organization’s 2024 Board chair.
She replaces Lisa McAlister, Global Myopia Lead at Johnson & Johnson Vision, who held the position from February 2023 to March 2024.
“As a coalition, we need to continue our collective efforts to create impact, especially in increasing parental awareness as they play an essential role in influencing children’s attitudes and lifestyles,” Prenat stated.
Gotcha. Lastly, any initiatives that GMAC is nvolved in?
Yes! While previous initiatives have included last year’s myopia awareness summer campaign, its current featured campaign is Sight Sanctuary, which challenges families to prioritize their eye health and create a screen-free outdoor space.
Click here to learn more.