CooperVision announced a new multidisciplinary program to bridge myopia management access disparities for underserved pediatric patients across the United States.
Let’s dive right in … who’s involved?
The initiative is a product of a partnership between CooperVision and three top optometry schools:
- New England College of Optometry (NECO)
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science (MCPHS)
- Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) (via the Illinois Eye Institute [IEI])
And what are they doing?
Via this collaboration, the academic community from each college—faculty, residents, and students—will partner with CooperVision to “identify and treat children in need, as well as engage other multidisciplinary community partners.”
Beginning in 2024, the program will offer extended myopia treatment for a pilot group of pediatric patients—with inaugural activities to be held in Boston, Massachusetts, and Chicago, Illinois, according to the announcement.
Break it down for me.
As part of this kickoff, NECO and MCPHS will focus on expanding myopia management within the community health clinics of metropolitan Boston and central Massachusetts.
Per NECO President Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, the program is providing “vital access to myopia management for children across the region who would otherwise be left out due to access and cost.”
And in Chicago?
ICO (via IEI) will be bringing the program to support its ongoing eyecare involvement within Chicago Public Schools.
What kind of support?
As part of the initiative’s first phase, two of CooperVision’s products will be provided at no cost to myopic children in need of treatment management:
- MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses
- Paragon CRT orthokeratology contact lenses
To note, the MiSight 1 day lenses are the first and currently only FDA-approved soft contact lens designed to not only correct vision but also potentially slow myopia progression in pediatric patients (ages 8 to 12).
How will this initiative be tracked?
Per the announcement, ongoing assessments will be conducted throughout the school year to accurately monitor the program’s performance and overall success / goals.
And the overarching goal?
Per CooperVision’s Michele Andrews, OD, vice president, Professional & Government Affairs, Americas, the initiative will allow optometry students—the next generation of eyecare providers (ECPs) who will be addressing the myopia epidemic—”to provide essential care within their communities.”
“We are leading the conversation to identify long-term solutions to overcome access inequity for kids with myopia,” Dr. Andrews stated.