Clinical Scorecard: Myopia: The Myopia Shift

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Myopia management is essential care, not an optional boutique service.
• Early identification and education of at-risk children and their families can slow progression.
• Implementing myopia management fosters deeper patient relationships and practice differentiation.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Train staff to flag potential myopia candidates during routine exams.
• Engage front desk and clinical teams to recognize and communicate myopia risks.

Management

• Start myopia management programs incrementally without requiring major equipment changes.
• Educate families with evidence-based information to empower and provide hope.
• Offer specialty contact lenses and Corneal Refractive Therapy as part of comprehensive care.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Regularly track myopia progression in pediatric patients.
• Hold staff meetings to review and refine management strategies.

Risks

• Recognize that untreated progressive myopia increases risk of future ocular pathology.
• Address mindset barriers within the clinical team to avoid delays in care.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Pediatric patients with progressing myopia

Individualized conversations and gradual program implementation improve adherence and outcomes.

Clinical Best Practices

• Shift mindset to view myopia management as essential long-term ocular health care.
• Involve the entire clinical team in patient identification and education.
• Start small and build the program one patient and one conversation at a time.
• Focus on building trust and hope with families rather than selling services.
• Leverage myopia management to enhance practice identity and patient loyalty.

References

• Author Profile - William Stephen, OD