The Myopia Collective: AOA, CooperVision unveil exciting new collaboration

Earlier this week, the American Optometric Association (AOA) and CooperVision revealed a partnership called The Myopia Collective to improve the standard of care for patients with myopia. For years, optometrists have aimed to correct myopia, but The Myopia Collective believe its time to embrace comprehensive treatment of the disease.

Michele Andrews, OD, vice president of professional and government affairs for CooperVision, and Terri A. Gossard, OD, MS, member of the AOA board of trustees, sat down with Optometry Times to discuss the goals and tactics of The Myopia Collective.

One major component of the plan is to mobilize Change Agents, who will undergo additional training in myopia management and lead advocacy efforts nationally and locally. These ambassadors are expected to participate in educational workshops in September in Chicago, which will not only equip them with the skills required to add myopia management services to their practices, but it will also provide opportunities to network with other myopia-minded professionals. Change Agents will be assigned for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Interested optometrists can apply to be a Change Agent at AOA.org; the cohort will be announced at Optometry's Meeting, June 19-22, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. Applications are due May 17, 2024.

“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.

Anyone within the optometric industry is eligible to join The Myopia Collective; it is not exclusive to optometrists. Membership declares a dedication to myopia management advancement and entitles members to educational resources from the AOA and CooperVision.