SAN RAMON, Calif., April 23, 2024—CooperVision and the American Optometric Association (AOA) today launched The Myopia Collective, a groundbreaking partnership to rally the optometry profession and its allies to elevate the standard of care for children with myopia, shifting focus from mere correction to embracing comprehensive treatment. Attendees at AOA on Capitol Hill 2024 received a preview of the initiative last week, provoking passionate support from optometry leaders and national policymakers.

The backbone of The Myopia Collective will be Change Agents—ambassadors who will receive specialized training in myopia management within their practices and lead legislative and community advocacy efforts. One or two Change Agents will be appointed per U.S. state and several territories, ensuring cross-country representation. Optometrists interested in integrating myopia management into their practices and driving positive change for children and their families are encouraged to apply by May 17.

“Disrupting the status quo and establishing a new standard of care for children with myopia is a monumental task, one that requires collective effort. The AOA’s full and active participation in The Myopia Collective alongside CooperVision is an unmistakable sign of how critical this issue is to the eye health and vision care for Americans both today and in the decades to come,” said Michele Andrews, OD, Vice President, Professional and Government Affairs, Americas, CooperVision.

“Through The Myopia Collective, and with CooperVision’s ardent support, engagement in myopia management at the practice level and outreach at the state and local levels will substantially increase—effective advocacy delivering tangible change. It’s what our communities, our children, and the optometric profession deserve, and the AOA is proud to be part of this movement,” said AOA President, Ronald L. Benner.

Change Agents will participate in an educational workshop this September in Chicago, providing training on the issues, opportunities, and skills required to effectively add myopia management to their practices and represent The Myopia Collective. Through this and other gatherings to come, Change Agents will have the chance to network and collaborate with fellow professionals, who together will make a meaningful impact on both the profession and patients’ lives.

Every individual within the optometric profession, regardless of credential or role, are encouraged to join The Myopia Collective as Members. Participation signifies a common dedication to advancing myopia management within their practices and communities. Additionally, Members will gain access to relevant educational opportunities and resources.

The AOA and CooperVision plan to announce the inaugural cohort of Change Agents and share additional aspects of the initiative in conjunction with Optometry’s Meeting, which will be held in Nashville from June 19-22.

For further details about The Myopia Collective, please visit the AOA’s website.

Dr. Michele Andrews, CooperVision, and Dr. Ronald Benner, AOA, at AOA on Capitol Hill 2024

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References:

1. Resolution: The standard of care for Myopia Management by Optometrists. World Council of Optometry. (2021, May 17). https://worldcouncilofoptometry.info/resolution-the-standard-of-care-for-myopia-management-by-optometrists.
2. Reshaping care: New myopia management guidance released. AOA. (2021, January 12). https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/diseases-and-conditions/new-myopia-management-guidance-released.
3. American Academy of Ophthalmology Leads Global Initiative to address worldwide myopia epidemic. American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2020, November 11). https://www.aao.org/newsroom/news-releases/detail/academy-leads-initiative-to-address-myopia.
4. Xu L, Wang Y, Wang S, Jonas JB. High myopia and glaucoma susceptibility, the Beijing Eye Study. Ophthalmology. 2007;114(2):216-20.] [REF: Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical and environmental factors in myopia aetiology. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2013;31(6):622-60.
5. Younan C, et al. Myopia and incident cataract and cataract surgery: the blue mountains eye study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002;43(12):3625-3632.
6. Chen SJ, et al. Prevalence and associated risk factors of myopic maculopathy in elderly Chinese: the Shihpai eye study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53(8):4868-73.

About the American Optometric Association
The American Optometric Association (AOA) is the leading authority on and advocate for quality eye health care, representing more than 49,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and optometric professionals. As the sole primary eye care provider in many communities across America, doctors of optometry are often a patient’s first entry point into the health care system, and have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat, and manage disorders, diseases, and injuries that affect the eye and visual system. Through a nationwide public health initiative, AOA’s Eye Deserve Morecampaign is fostering awareness of the importance of eye health and vision care and the overall health benefits of in-person, comprehensive eye examinations with AOA doctors of optometry for all Americans.

About CooperVision

CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (Nasdaq:COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of contact lenses. The company produces a full array of daily disposable, two-week and monthly soft contact lenses that feature advanced materials and optics, and premium rigid gas permeable lenses for orthokeratology and scleral designs. CooperVision has a strong heritage of addressing the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism, presbyopia, childhood myopia, and highly irregular corneas; and offers the most complete portfolio of spherical, toric, and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.

About CooperCompanies
CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO) is a leading global medical device company focused on improving lives one person at a time. The Company operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision is a trusted leader in the contact lens industry, improving the vision of millions of people every day. CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women’s health company dedicated to assisting women, babies and families at the healthcare moments that matter most. Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., CooperCompanies has a workforce of more than 15,000 with products sold in over 130 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com.

Learn more at http://curemydisorder.com/links/improve-eyesight-tedmaser-site

FORT WORTH, February 20, 2023 – Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC), the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, will showcase the new MARLO App at the SECO International meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, which includes additional, new features for patients and is now available to download in the Apple App Store. Attendees will gain an exclusive look at how the MARLO App brings seamless connection to Eye Care Professionals (ECPs) and patients throughout their eye care journey.

Launched in 2020, MARLO was developed as an online platform to help patients stay connected to their ECPs by ensuring a trusted and personalized contact lens ordering experience available 24/7 with the click of a button as well as the convenience of exam reminders, helpful contact lens tips, reorder notifications and more.

“We are proud to debut our new MARLO App at SECO this year,” said Kristen Brotherson, General Manager, U.S. Vision Care, Alcon. “Today, 95% of patients access healthcare on their smartphones, and in a recent survey, nearly 44% of patients indicated that they go online to purchase contact lenses. 1-2 Now, ECPs can bring the future of eye care to the palm of their patients’ hands with the MARLO App’s seamless reordering, communications, and education offerings.”

Research shows that mobile apps boost patient retention, increase the number of new users, and help practices gain a better understanding of consumer interests. 3 With the introduction of the MARLO App, Alcon is making it easier for patients and their ECPs to stay connected between visits.

Key features of the MARLO App include:
• A vision screener which records patients’ responses and provides a general vision range for patients. Patients are also able to share their vision screener results with their ECPs before their next visit*
• Communications on the importance of regular comprehensive eye exams
• Ability to order contact lenses using native Apple iOS features and to save MARLO contact lens prescriptions to Apple Health
• Ability for patients to keep track of their next appointment
• Educational resources where patients can learn about eye diseases, such as dry eye, and how to find symptom relief • MARLO doctor locator that lists all the nearby practices that use MARLO

“As a longtime MARLO user, I am thrilled with how the MARLO App now enhances my patient relationships,” said Dr. Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO. “Being able to communicate with my patients between exams is an integral part of delivering great, personalized care. My patients will love the MARLO App’s new features and how easy it is to reorder, get exam reminders, and access to a vision screener.”

Now available with different membership options, ECPs can customize the MARLO website and MARLO App interface to include their own practice logo and branding, which streamlines communications and helps patients stay connected to their ECPs throughout their eye care journey.

About Alcon
Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.

References
1. Mixpanel Industry Case Report: mobile, web, & more. Generated December 2023.
2. Alcon Data on File, 2021.
3. Yin R, Neyens DM. Who is using a mobile app and who is using a computer to access their patient portals? Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. 2022.

*Available with Pro or ProPlus Membership levels

Learn more at http://curemydisorder.com/links/improve-eyesight-tedmaser-site