The ECP’s critical role in evidence-based myopia management
The Canadian Association of Optometrists estimates that 30% of Canadians experience myopia. Even more, a 2018 study found that 6% of children (6-8 years old) had myopia, with that number jumping to 30% for children 11-13 years old.¹
Myopia is progressing faster than in previous generations.¹ 📈 Often, the window of time in which we can make the most impact is just a few years. That’s why it’s so important for ECPs to work together to uphold the standard of care by recommending myopia management treatments that have strong evidence behind them.
All ECPs have an important role to play in myopia management, so it's critical that everyone understands and can support the message that myopia is a progressive condition that should be treated in a proactive way. Let’s talk more about the different ECP roles in slowing myopia and how evidence plays a big part in your treatment recommendations.
The ECP’s role in myopia management
Opticians are on the front line of patient communication, so they can be a valuable resource to support the Optometrists’ recommendations and build trust with patients.
Many people are not aware of the problems associated with myopia or that there is anything we can do about it, so the front-end staff can raise awareness by discussing myopia with patients from the start – especially for those who have children.
A great way to do this is by educating anyone with young children about myopia and the importance of good ocular hygiene for prevention or delaying onset. Advise at least two hours of outdoor time per day along with holding near-work at arm's length and taking frequent breaks to look into the distance.
The key to slowing myopia progression as much as possible is by catching it early. Remind patients of the importance of regular eye exams for children. Also, discuss the reasons we treat myopia and that there is strong scientific evidence that myopia increases the risk of ocular disease. Just be cautious not to scare them! Remember, we are doing this because there is no safe level of myopia.²⁻³ Even one diopter increase is associated with a 67% increase in the risk of myopia maculopathy.⁴⁻⁵ Not to mention, it can impact a child’s ability to learn and their overall quality of life.
Thankfully, we have clinically proven solutions available to suit all different lifestyles. When you embrace myopia management at your practice with the right solutions, you can enhance patient loyalty, increase practice revenue, and improve job satisfaction.⁶
However, patients may not see the value in myopia management, so you have to speak their language and show them results. Your role as their trusted ECP is choosing a personalized myopia management treatment option plan that is based in evidence.
What is evidence-based myopia management?
Evidence-based myopia management refers to myopia management solutions and treatments that have been tested and proven successful.
Proving the effectiveness of a myopia management solution is not a simple task. It has a long observation time; it takes months to see the results of a myopia management solution and years to evaluate if its treatment effect is sustained and if there is a possibility of rebound effect.
Know when evidence is worth relying on
Not all evidence is equal. First, there should be clinical studies. Second, you’ll want to evaluate the clinical studies closely. And third, be savvy, verify that the claims match the study, and the study matches the product specifications. Different studies carry more strength than others; evidence should be robust and published in peer-reviewed journals.
Clinical studies should evaluate the performance and safety of the treatment, answer common questions in your practice, and instil confidence.
MiYOSMART’s role in evidence-based myopia management
At HOYA Vision Care, we’ve established ourselves as global leaders in myopia management – having extensively studied and researched this condition for many years so we could bring you, the ECP, a proven solution for myopic patients.
MiYOSMART is HOYA’s evidence-based, non-invasive method to manage myopia. It was designed to slow down the progression of myopia in myopic children and adolescents. It has been clinically proven to do this by an average of 60%.⁷
MiYOSMART’s evidence aims to answer all your clinical questions, so you can confidently manage myopia in your everyday practice.