AAOMC Newsletter Issue 2 July 2023

President'sAddress

ABIGThankYoutoOurIndustryPartners!

Inthisissue,wecontinuetobuildongreatcontentthatbringsvaluetobothourMemberDoctors, MemberParaoptometrics,andourIndustryPartners.Ahugethankstoallthecontributorstoour newsletter:past,present,andfuture.

Weoftenareabsorbedinourday-to-dayactivities:examiningpatients,runningourclinics,balancing familytimewithourworklife.Whenwehavesuchamicroscopicviewofourlives,itcanbechallengingto stepbackandappreciatethebiggerpicture.

ThisiswherethevaluethatourIndustryPartnersbringtoourprofessionreallyshines.Whilewetoilaway inthedailygrind,wecanbeconfidentthatourIndustryPartnersareinnovating,creating,training,and collaborating.Theyworkhardtobringusvalue.Theygiveusfinancialsupportforourmeetings.Thisin turnkeepsmeetingcostsaslowaspossibleforattendees.Theyinvesttimeandmoneyintoresearch anddevelopment.Thisbringsnewproductsandinnovationsthatwecanusetoelevateourlevelof patientcare.Theymarkettothemasses.Thisraisespublicawarenessofmyopiamanagementwhich allowsustogrowthenumberofsubspecialtypatientsinourclinic Theyconsistentlydeliverpracticesupportintermsofstaffand doctortraining.Itisawin-wincollaboration.

WhenwasthelasttimeyouthankedyourIndustryPartners? Whentheyreachouttoyouwithanemailoraphonecall,or theystopbyyouroffice,givethemyourear.Hearwhatthey havetosay.WhenyoucruisetheexhibithallatVBD,stopby andsayhello.Mostofthemdon’tbite.

AAOMCsaysTHANKYOUtotheIndustryPartnersthathave committedthusfartosponsoringVisionByDesign2023. AndwewelcomenewPartnerswhowilljoinusinthefuture aswegrowgrowgrow.

AmericanAcademyofOrthokeratology&MyopiaControl

ThankYoutoOur VisionbyDesignPartners

TurningConciergeOptometryIntoRealityOneDoctor'sJourney

WrittenbyCherylChapman,OD,DAAO,IACMM,FIAOMC,DiplomateABO

RecentlyIhadtheopportunitytositdownandchatwithDr.ArielCerenzieofCharlotte,NorthCarolina. Shetalkedabouthowshewasabletodesignherdreampractice,CharlotteContactLensInstitute.Itisa concierge-stylespecialtycontactlenspractice.Thedesignstrategysheputintodifferentaspectsofher clinicisthoughtprovokingandingenious.Dr.Cerenzie’sclinicdoesnothaveanoptical.Sheschedules patientsbyappointmentonlyanddoesherownschedulingandworkups,therebyeliminatingherneed forsupportstaff.Inthiswayshehasreducedmanyoverheadcosts.Priortoopeningherclinic,shecurated strongreferralrelationshipswithinhercommunity,whichhashelpedfunnelpatientsintoherclinic. ReadalittlemoreaboutDr.Cerenzie’sjourneyhere…

RecentlyIhadtheopportunitytositdownandchatwithDr.ArielCerenzie ofCharlotte,NorthCarolina.Shetalkedabouthowshewasabletodesign herdreampractice,CharlotteContactLensInstitute.Itisaconcierge-style specialtycontactlenspractice.Thedesignstrategysheputintodifferent aspectsofherclinicisthoughtprovokingandingenious.Dr.Cerenzie’s clinicdoesnothaveanoptical.Sheschedulespatientsbyappointment onlyanddoesherownschedulingandworkups,therebyeliminatingher needforsupportstaff.Inthiswayshehasreducedmanyoverheadcosts. Priortoopeningherclinic,shecuratedstrongreferralrelationshipswithin hercommunity,whichhashelped funnelpatientsintoherclinic.

Readalittlemoreabout Dr Cerenzie’sjourneyhere…

PleaseShareabitaboutYourFamily andEducationBackground?

Ihavetwolittlegirls-a5-montholdandalmost-twoyearold. Mylittlegirlsandmyhusbandaremyworld.I’mthankfulthat throughthispractice,Ihavetheopportunitytomoldmy scheduletoallowforplentyoffamilytime.

HowdidYougetintoOptometry?

Reception(Before)

Oneofmygoodfriends,LisaRoach,atTexasA&MUniversity convincedmetogotoan“OptometryDay”attheUniversityof HoustonCollegeofOptometry.Iwentmostlyforafieldtrip,but soonknewthatitwastheprofessionforme!Ihadnoideathe depthofoptometry’sroleinpatients’systemichealthuntilthat trip..AfterleavingOptometryDay,IdecidedthatIwasgoingto beanoptometrist.Ibecameinterestedinspecialtycontact lensesandmyopiacontrolduringmyexternshiprotationswith Dr.ClarkeNewmaninDallas,Tx.Ilovedwitnessingtheprofound impactthathisdedicationtospecialtycontactlensesmadeon patients’lives.MyexperienceatDr.Newman’spractice motivatedmetoapplyforacorneaandcontactlensresidency attheUniversityofMissouri-St.Louis.There,Igainedextensive experienceinprescribingspecialtycontactlensesandvarious myopiamanagementmodalities,learningfromsome ofthebestinthenation.

Reception(After)

"The design strategy she put into different aspects of her clinic is thought provoking and ingenious."

ArielCerenzie,Owner/OD CharlotteContactLensInstitute Charlotte,NC

PleaseTellusaboutYourpractice.WhatmakesitUniqueor Different?

TheCharlotteContactLensInstituteisaconcierge-stylepractice thatprimarilyoffersspecialtycontactlenscare.Whenpatientsvisit theoffice,theyspendanhourandahalfwithmeforanin-depth evaluationandcomprehensiveexamination,includingcorneal tomography,scleraltopography,anteriorsegmentphotography, andmeibography.Wethenhaveanin-depthdiscussionabout whatspecialtycontactlensand/ormyopiamanagementoption maybebestfortheirlifestyleandgoals.Indesigningthispractice, Ikeptinmindthatmypatientswereaspecialpopulation;therefore mymainobjectivesweretoofferthebesttechnologyinequipment, diagnostics,andcontactlenstechnology,easyaccessibilityforany questionsorconcerns24/7,andaplacewheretheyfeltheardand individuallycaredfor.

InwhatWaysdoYoubringaboutEducationtoYourPatients?

Duringapatient’sinitialvisit,wereviewtheirPentacamAXL Waveimages,includingcornealtomography,scleraltopography, biometry,anteriorsegmentimaging,andmeibographyonalarge screenTV(thankyouDr.StephanieWooforthisidea).When patientshaveanunderstandingoftheirparticularconditionand thetreatmentoptionsavailable,thedoctorandpatientcanthen operateasateam.Ialsoappreciatetheeducationalbrochures, videos,andwebsitesprovidedbyindustryleaders.Withwhole teamsdedicatedtomarketingmaterial,theydoafantasticjob layingoutdescriptionsofproductsandexplanationsofconditions thatareeasytounderstand.Mostpatientsthatleavemyofficewill haveaneducationalbrochureinhand,especiallyifthey’renewto thespecificmodalitythey’rein.Examplesinclude,brochuresonthe myopiaepidemic,literaturefromtheNationalKeratoconus Foundation,how-to’sforinsertionandremovalofscleralcontact lenses,educationonhoworthokeratologyworks,literatureon MiSightasasafe,effective,andFDAapprovedsolution,etc..

WhatInspiresandMotivatesYouinYourFieldofWork?

Everypatientthatcomesinislikeapuzzle

It’smyjobtoputthepiecestogetherto determinehowtoprovidethemwith solutionsthat maintaintheir ocularhealthand providethebest possiblevisionnow andinthefuture

Havingthat responsibility helpsmetobe excitedtogoto workeveryday!

"It’s my job to put the pieces together to determine how to provide them with solutions that maintain their ocular health..."

ExamandConsultation(Before)

ExamandConsultation(After)

TheAmericanAcademyofOrthokeratologyandMyopia Controlsupports,promotes,andadvancesthescienceof orthokeratologyandmyopiacontrolthroughquality educationandscientificinformation.

Joinusforfourdaysofcomprehensivemeetingsfocused onthelatestadvances,research,andfittingtechniquesin allareasofmyopiacontrolandprevention,including orthokeratology.Stayuptodatebyvisitingourwebsite https://www.orthokmeeting.com/.

RegisterforVBD2023!

TheCorrectedViewPodcast

TheCorrectedViewistheofficialpodcastoftheAAOMC withourhostsDr.AnithPillaiandDr.DwightBarnes.This brandnewepisodewithourguestexpert,Dr.Matthew Marin,discussesthelatesttrendsintheindustry!We unpackhowthesetrendsmayimpactourindustryand provideinsightfulobservationstohelpyoustayahead ofthecurve.Weinviteyoutolistenandshareyour thoughtswithus.Let'sseehowthesetrendsare changingthebusinesslandscape.

Earnupto25hoursofCOPEcreditswhen attendingthefullconference!

CheckOutthePodcast!

VisionbyDesignAnnouncesKeynoteSpeaker

MeetKeynoteSpeakerDr.Bernsten

Dr.BerntsenwillbespeakingatourScientific SessiononFriday,September8thonthefollowing topic:MechanismsofMyopiaControl:Insights FromtheBifocalLensesInNearsightedKids(BLINK) Study.

DavidABerntsen,ODPhDisanAssociateProfessor andtheGolden-GoldenProfessorofOptometryat theUniversityofHoustonCollegeofOptometry whereheteachesinthegraduateandprofessional programsHeistheChairoftheDepartmentof ClinicalSciencesandconductsresearchon myopia,contactlenses,andaberrationsoftheeye HecompletedhisDoctorofOptometrydegreeat theUniversityofHoustonandaCorneaand ContactLensAdvancedPracticeFellowship,MS, andPhDatTheOhioStateUniversity.

HeconductedtheStudyofTheoriesaboutMyopia Progression(STAMP),atwo-yearclinicaltrial evaluatingtheoriesofjuvenile-onsetmyopia progressionandisthePrincipalInvestigatorofthe UniversityofHoustonclinicalsitefortheBifocal LensesInNearsightedKids(BLINK)Studyandthe BLINK2Study,amulticenterstudysponsoredbythe NationalEyeInstituteevaluatingcontactlensesfor myopiacontrolandthemechanismsinvolved.He isCo-ChairoftheDelayingtheOnsetof NearsightednessUntilTreatment(DONUT)Study, anNEI-sponsoredplanninggranttopreparean applicationforaclinicaltrialevaluatingwhether low-doseatropinecandelaymyopiaonset.Dr. BerntsenservesontheAmericanAcademyof Optometry’sScientificProgramCommitteeandis aDiplomateintheSectiononCornea,Contact Lenses,andRefractiveTechnologies.

Wethoughtourmembersmightwanttodivea littledeeperandknowalittlebitmoreaboutDr Berntsen So,weaskedhimafewquestionsto gainsomemoreinsightintowhatmakeshimtick Seeourconversationbelow:

PleaseShareaBitaboutYourFamilyand EducationBackground.

IcompletedmyDoctorofOptometrydegreeat theUniversityofHouston Ithencompleteda CorneaandContactLensAdvancedPractice FellowshipandMSinVisionscience(combined program)atTheOhioStateUniversityCollegeof Optometry Thisprogramsparkedmyinterestin clinicalresearch,whichledtomecompletinga PhDatOhioState Mywife(Monique)isapediatric nursepractitionerandmybestfriend Shebrings outthebestinme(andourfamily)andkeepsme groundedinthebalanceoffamilyandcareer Withoutherloveandsupport,Iwouldneverhave beenabletoaccomplishallthatIhave Wehave twoamazingchildren,Ella(juniorinhighschool) andReed(freshmaninhighschool) Between swim,bandandBoyScouts,theykeepusbusy!

HowDidYouGetintoOptometry?

Ibecameinterestedinoptometryafteravisitto myoptometristafterbecomingmyopic(yes,the ‘seeingtheleavesonthetree’story) Iwas interestedinhealthcare,andasaseniorinhigh schoolafterattendinganoptometrydayatthe UniversityofHouston,setmysightsonoptometry asmyprofession Realizingthatthereweremany thingsinschoolthatwerenotalwayssupported byresearch,myinterestinansweringclinical questionsthatguidetheevidence-basedpractice ofoptometryledmetocompletingaPhDinVision Science

PleaseTellUsAboutYourPractice?

WhatMakesitUniqueorDifferent?

IamanAssociateProfessorandtheGoldenGoldenProfessorofOptometryattheUniversityof HoustonCollegeofOptometrywhereIteachinthe graduateandprofessionalprogramsandmentor graduatestudentsworkingtowardeitheranMSor PhD IamtheChairoftheDepartmentofClinical Sciencesandconductresearchonmyopia, contactlenses,andaberrationsoftheeye.

Youarean Orthokeratologistor

MyopiaManagement Specialist,canYou

PleaseShareaBitmore aboutWhyYouChoose thisSubspecialty?

Myfirstresearchproject wasformyMSdegree andwasconducted whenCRTlensesfirst receivedtheirFDA approval MyMSresearch backintheearly2000s involvedmeasuringthe changesinhigher-order aberrationsafter orthokeratologyand

determiningtheeffectoftheseaberrationsonhighandlow-contrastvisualacuityalongwiththeeffects ofpupilsize.Ialsoinvestigatedrefractive-error specificqualityoflifewithOK.Myinterestincontact lenses,aberrations,andmyopiaallconvergedonmy currentresearchconductingclinicaltrialstoslowthe progressionofmyopiaandunderstandthe underlyingmechanismsthatregulateeyegrowth. MyPhDresearchwastheStudyofTheoriesabout MyopiaProgression(STAMP)thatevaluated mechanismspopularatthetimeresponsibleforthe smallprogressiveadditionlens(PAL)treatment effectreportedintheliterature.Thisstudyfound evidenceofasmallassociationbetweenperipheral defocusandmyopiaprogression.Mycurrentworkis acollaborativemulti-centerclinicaltrialinits10th yearfundedbytheNationalEyeInstitutewith colleaguesatOhioState.TheBifocalLensesin NearsightedKids(BLINK)Studyfoundthathigh-add multifocalcontactlensesslowmyopiaprogression andeyegrowthandisinvestigatingnumerous mechanisticquestionstounderstandwhoresponds besttotreatmentandwhataboutmultifocallenses isresponsibleforthetreatmenteffect.Mytalkwill coverwhatwehavelearnedfromtheBLINKStudy regardingthemechanismofaction;whathasbeen assumedtobethemechanismsforyearsdoesnot appeartobethecase,highlightingtheimportance ofnotjustdeterminingefficacybutstudyingwhy treatmentswork.

Dav , ssor ofOptometryattheUniversityof HoustonCollegeofOptometry

WhatInspiresandMotivatesYou inyourFieldofWork?

Mycareerinacademiaisbasedonmyloveof teachingandansweredclinicalresearch questionsthatprovidetheevidenceneededto guideandchangeclinicalpractice.

WhataretheMostRewardingAspectsof YourCareerandWhataresomeofthe ChallengesYouFaceinyourPractice?

Oneofthemostrewardingaspectsofmycareer ispublishingresearchthatanswersimportant clinicalquestionsthatthenguidetheevidencebasedpracticeofoptometry.Answeringthese questionshaveanimpactonnotjustthosewho participateintheclinicaltrialsandstudiesI’m involvedwith,butthelivesofpatientsseenbyall eyecareproviderswhoutilizetheevidencewe publishtoguidethetreatmentoftheirown patients.Theabilitytohelppeopleglobally throughansweringimportantclinicalresearch questionsisveryrewarding.Ialsohavethe opportunitytomentorfacultyinmydepartment tohelpthemadvancetheircareers(givingback theknowledgethatsomanygreatmentors gavemealongtheway)andgettomentor talentedgraduatestudentswhowillbethe futureleadersofourprofession.

HowdoYouManagetoBalanceYourCareer andYourPersonalLife/Family?

FamilyisthefoundationofallthatIdo.Mywifeis themostgenerousandsupportivepersonI couldhaveeverhopedforonthisjourney.With bothkidsnowinhighschool,beingwiththem andengagedintheirliveswhilewestillhave themathomeissomethingmywifeandIboth holddearandprioritize.IamtheScoutmaster formyson’sScoutsBSATroopofover100 Scouts.Theopportunitytospendtimewithmy soncampingandlearninglifeskillsis invaluable,asistheopportunitytohavea positiveinfluenceonthelivesoftheyouthinour troopastheylearnlifeskillsandleadership.I’m alsofortunatetohavetheopportunitytowatch mydaughter’shardworkanddedicationinboth academicsandherpassionofswim(her favoritestrokeisthebutterfly).Familytimeis critical,andmywifeandIlovetocruise(and sheencouragesustogoonthemoftenasit trulyforcesyoutodisconnectfromtherestof theworldtospendtimetogetherasafamily).

WhatDevelopmentorChangeswouldYouliketo seeintheFieldofOptometryintheFuture?

Ilookforwardtothecontinuedadoptionofmyopia controlstrategiesbyoptometrists.Iseeour profession’sroleascriticaltoensuringthat patientsknowoftheoptionsavailabletothemas newtechnologiesaredevelopedandtestedtonot onlyslowprogressionbutpotentiallydelay myopiaonset.

Certifications

AAOMCStaffInvolvementProgram

WrittenbyNaziaMaredia,OD,IACMM,CoChair,AAOMCStaff,MembershipCommittee, AAOMCAdvisoryBoardMember

IamthrilledtoannouncethelaunchoftheAAOMCStaffInvolvement Program,designedtoempoweryourstaffmembersandprovide themwithexcitingopportunitiesforprofessionalgrowthand development.Iwantedtotakeamomenttosharethedetailsofthe programandtheupcomingphases.

Phase1:StaffMembershipCreated

WehaveestablishedstaffmembershipswithintheAAOMCtofoster astrongersenseofcommunityandengagement.Thismembership willoffernumerousbenefits,includingaccesstoexclusiveresources, networkingopportunitiesviaaGooglegroup,andparticipationin webinars.Forofficeapplicationcontactmegan@aaomc.org.

Phase2:VideoOnlineBootcamp.ComingSoon! Thebootcampwillprovidevaluabletraining sessionscoveringvarioustopicssuchas understandingmyopia,varioustreatment options,communicationtechniques,and more Webelievethatbyinvestinginyour staff'sknowledgeandskills,youcanenhance theircapabilitiesandpromotegrowth

Phase3:CertifiedMyopiaNavigator Program.ComingSoon!

Staytunedforourupcomingcertification program Thisprogramaimstoequipyour staffwithspecializedexpertiseinmyopia management,allowingthemtobetterserve patientsandthepractices Throughthis certification,yourstaffwillgaina comprehensiveunderstandingofthelatest research,treatmentoptions,andbest practicesinmyopiamanagement.

Weinviteyouandyourteamtotakefull advantageoftheseexcitingopportunities. Byinvestinginyourstaff'sprofessional growth,wecancollectivelyelevatethe standardofcareinmyopiamanagement andmakeapositiveimpactonpatients' lives.Staytunedformoredetailed informationabouteachinitiativeinthe comingweeks.Thankyouforyourdedication andcommitmenttoAAOMC.Weareexcited abouttheopportunitiesthatlieahead,and welookforwardtoembarking onthisjourneytogether.

Nazia Maredia,OD,IACMM CoChair,AAOMCStaff MembershipCommittee AAOMCAdvisoryBoardMember

StaffMembershipInfo

ManagingMyopia, OneChildataTime

ManagingMyopiaOneChildAtATimedescribesthemostrecent scientificadvancesandtranslatesthemintoauniqueclinical approachwecallTheMontrealExperience Withmorethan15years ofexperienceincontrollingmyopiaandtreatingseveralhundred childrenandyoungadults,theauthorshavedevelopedapractical andsuccessfulapproach Usingspecificcasesthatexplainstheir MyopiaandMyopiamanagement,takingsomeofthemysteryout ofthetopicauthorsareprovidingthereaderwithinsightand confidencetohelptheirpatients

10%DiscounttoAAOMCMembers($95WrittenCopy,$59E-Book)

Marketing

LaunchoftheBrandNewAAOMCWebsite

Weareexcitedtoannouncethelaunchofthebrand-newwebsitefortheAAOMC Thiswebsitehasbeen meticulouslydesignedtoenhanceuserexperienceandaccessibilityforallourmembersandvisitors With asleekandmoderninterface,thewebsiteoffersanintuitivenavigationsystem,makingiteffortlessfor userstoexplorethewealthofresourcesandinformationwehavetooffer

BesuretocheckouttheupdatedDoctorFinderforbothpatientsandmedicalprofessionalstoutilize PatientscannoweffortlesslysearchfordoctorsthataremembersofAAOMC TheDoctorFinderalso caterstodoctorsthemselves,allowingthemtosearchforotherprofessionalswhosharesimilarexpertise Theycanfindcolleagueswhousethesamecontactlensbrandinordertoeasilyreferapatientwhomay bemoving Byfosteringconnectionsandstreamliningtheprocessoffindingtherighthealthcareprovider orcolleague,theAAOMC’sDoctorFindernotonlyimprovespatientoutcomesbutalsostrengthensthe bondswithinthemedicalcommunity,establishingthewebsiteasago-toresourceforbothpatientsand doctorsalike.

AsanAAOMCmember,besuretologintoyourmemberprofilehere,updateyourcontactinformationand selectyourlensesyoufitinordertotakeadvantageofthismemberbenefit.

WrittenbyLangisMichaud,RemyMarcotte-Collard,PatrickSimard

CaseReport

ADesignApproachforaHighMyope

WrittenbyDr AlbertPang,OD,FIAO

Withtheadvancementof technologies,lensdesign softwareanddigital topographerscanrevolutionize howorthokeratologistshandle

yopia InthecaseI’maboutto novativesoftwaretocorrectone ofmypatient’sadvancedmyopia

PatientADwasa19-year-oldmusicstudent experiencingmoderatemyopiachangesevery yearsinceherearlyteens Whilestudyingtobea concertpianist,shewantedtotakeadvantageof orthokeratologytohelpherhavefunctionalvision withoutanyglassesandslowdownhermyopia progression Herlatestglassesprescriptionwas:

OD:-700-125x17520/20

OS:-700-125x00520/20

Uponexamination,herbinocularvisionwastested normal Therewasnoindicationofanydryeyesor anteriorsegmentdisease Internalexamination wasnormal.UsingtheScheimpflugimaging device,thefollowingcornealdatawasobtained.

Frontsurfacekeratometry

OD:44.8/45.4 OS:44.8/45.5

Cornealwhitetowhitemeasurement:

OD:11.1mm OS:11.1mmm

HVIDwas11.5mm

Pupildiameteratmesopicconditionwasabout3.8mm.

Basedonthetopographydata,hercorneaswere quitesymmetrical Shehadsomecornealtoricity However,itwasmostlycentrallylocated Itwas likelythatshewouldnothaveanyresidual astigmatism Sincewemustcorrectahigher prescription,asmallertreatmentzonewas needed Luckilyherpupilsizewasrelativelysmall Shemightnotexperiencetoomuchglareduetoa smalltreatmentzoneHowever,hercorneasalso posedsomechallenges Becauseofher prescription,wewouldhavetodesignalenswitha widerreturncurve,butbecausehercorneais small,itleaveslittleroomforthealignmentcurve whichintroducesacentrationproblem

Duetoahighermyopiacorrection,afew designingchangesneededtobeemployedto increasethechanceofsuccess First,withawider returnzoneandahigherJessenfactor,Iincreased thereturnzonewidthfromastandard05mmto 08mm Tomaintainagoodcentration,Idecided tomaintainawidealignmentcurveandmakethe treatmentzonesmaller Asaresult,atreatment zoneof4.8mmwasselected.Ialsoemployedan asphericbasecurvetocreatemorecentral compressionwiththesmalltreatmentzone. Additionally,atighteralignmentcurvewasusedto haveagoodsealattheperiphery.

UsingOrthotooldesignsoftware,lenseswere designedwithalltheaboveconsiderations.

"Since we must correct a higher prescription, a smaller treatment zone was needed."

Lenseswereorderedanddispensedtothepatient Shewasinstructedtoreturnthenextmorning Surprisingtome,herunaidedvisionwasfairly good:

Unaided:

OD:20/40

OS:20/30

Refractionafteronenightofwear:

OD:-150-050x180 20/25

OS:-075-075x180 20/25

Wecontinuedtomonitorhervisionaswellasher cornealhealthoverthenexttwoyears,andshe wasdoingwell Atthelatestexaminationher unaidedvisionwasOD:20/25,OS:20/20,with someresidualastigmatism

Belowisthelatesttopographicinformation:

Hercorneaswerenormalwithnostaining.The patientwasadvisedtocontinuetowearthelenses andreturnforafollow-upintwoweeks.

Atthetwo-weekvisit,thiswasthesummaryofmy findings:

Unaidedacuity OD:20/25

OS:20/25

Refractionat9am

OD:+1.00-0.75x180 20/20

OS:+1.25-0.75x18020/20

Thechallengesofhighmyopesrequireadifferent designapproachinorthoK.Thiscaseindicated oneofthesuccessfulapproachesbyutilizinga smallertreatmentzone,awiderreturnzone diameter,anasphericbasecurve,andatighter alignmentcurvetogetthejobdone.Withproper patienteducationandclinicalfollow-up,itcanbe aviableandsafeoptionforpatientswithhigher myopiacorrection.

ParaoptometricSpotlight

AnInterviewwithKateKim OfficeManageratEyeBoutiqueOptometryInc

TellUsaLittleBitAboutYourself. Hello,mynameisKateKim, theofficemanageroftheEye Boutiqueandmotheroftwo beautifulchildren.Ihavebeen workingwithDr.Ohsince2006 andIhavebeenmanaging theEyeBoutiqueOptometry forover17years.

outYourRollinYourPractice. gerandMyopiaManagement Consultantfortheoffice,butreallydosomuch more!Frommanagingthedaytodayoftheoffice tomarketingandgrowingthebusinesstowhatit istoday.

HowDidYouGetInterestedinWorkingintheField ofOptometry?

Iwasastudentandstartingmyfirstjobinthe opticalfield.Orthokeratology,inparticular,iswhat attractedmebecauseIsawhowithelpedwith children'svisionlossandhowitcanbecorrected bythistherapywithoutsurgery.

ArethereanyChallengesthatYouhavehadto OvercomeinYourCareerJourney?

MymajorincollegewasBusinessand Internationaltrade Sincethismedical/optical careerwasnewtome,Ihadtore-educatemyself inatotallydifferentfield However,mybackground inbusinessalongwiththeexperienceIgained fromworkinginthevisionfieldreallyhelpedmeto growthebusinessandunderstandwhatpatients wantedmostfromourbusinessandwhatworked bestforbothsides

WhatDoYouBelieveistheMostImportantThing YoudotoSupportYourDoctorandYourPractice?

Iallowthedoctorstofocusonwhattheyare expertsonwhileIrunthebusinessanddealwith thedaytodayoperationswhileworkingwithall ourvendorsandstafftomakesurethatouroffice offerseverythingacustomermayneedorwant whenvisitinganoptometryoffice Frominventory, training,scheduling,billing,compliance, educatingthepatientswithrighttreatment andsomuchmore!

DoyouhaveaNominationforaMemberSpotlight YouwouldliketoseeHighlighted?

SendYourNomination(s)tomegan@amincorg

WhatInspiresYoutheMostinYourFieldofWork?

Ifeelmostinspiredandrewardedwhenpatients trustthedoctor,ourteamandaresatisfiedwith theresults WhenIseethesmilefromouryoung patientsthefirsttimetheyareglassesfreefrom ourMyopiacontrolprogram

WhatisOnePieceofAdvicethatYouwouldgive toaParaoptometricthatisWorkinginaPractice thatOffersMyopiaManagementServices?

Iwouldrecommendthattheparaoptometric needstobeanexpertatMyopiaManagement Services Theyshouldbeproudofthemselvesfor givingthepatientsthisspecialtreatmentwhich canhelppatientswiththeirvisionproblem Of course,Youmusthavesufficientprofessional knowledgeandexperienceinthisfieldtobeable tosupplyMyopiaservices

HowdoYouManagetoBalanceYourCareerand YourPersonalLife/Family?

Goodquestion.I’vealwayssaidEyeBoutiqueislike mybaby.Mostofmypatientswhocometoour office,theyallknowmeandtheybecomevery closetousandthedoctors.Iknowthereshouldbe aworkandlifebalancebutasaprivatelocal doctorsofficemanager,Iwanttomakeouroffice specialtopatientsandmakepatientsfeel comfortableandtrustus.Ofcourse,onmydayoff, Iamalovingmomformychildren.

Itisalwaysabattletobeabletobalancethetwo, buthavingawonderfulstaffandsupportive doctorsmakesthebalanceeasier.

StudentMemberUpdates

CorksandContactsMixeratVBD!

NETWORK!NETWORK!NETWORK!Don’tmissoutonthe highlyanticipatedmixeratthisyear’sVisionByDesign. DesignedtoconnectestablisheddoctorswithStudents/ Residents/NewGrads,wehopeyoucanusethis opportunitytomakeconnectionswithyourcolleagues Joinusat5pmonSeptember9thattheRenaissance SchaumburgConventionCenternearChicago,Illinois

RecentPublications

InsightonIMIWhitePapersArticlesfrom Dr.LangisMichaudandDr.PatrickSimard'sPerspectives

Dr.LangisMichaud,ODM.Sc.FAAO(Dipl)FBCLAFSLSFEAOOFIACMM

Dr.PatrickSimard,OD,MSc,MBA,FAAO,FBCLA,FIACLE,IACMM

BetweenMarch1andMay31,2023,588articlesonmyopiawerepublishedinpeer-reviewedjournals.Itcan bedifficulttoassesstherelativevalueofeachofthesearticles.Thissummaryprovidesanoverviewofwhat weconsidertobethemostclinicallyuseful.

IMI2023Digest

What'snewonPlanetMyopiasince2021?Thisis thequestionthisarticletriestoanswer The influenceofspecificwavelengthsorintensityof lightexposurehasbeenthesubjectofseveral studiesusingtheanimalmodel New pharmacologicalorsurgicalstrategies(scleral cross-linking)havealsobeenexplored Thepremyopiapopulationisattractingattention,and strategiesarebeingtestedtomeasuretheir effectivenessindelayingorpreventingmyopia development

Thefactorsinfluencingtheefficacyofthese medicaldevices,aswellassoftcontactlenses orortho-klenses,continuetogenerate numerouspublications Severalarticleshave beenpublisheddemonstratingtheefficacyof newophthalmiclenses,inspectacles,usingthe principlesofmultiplelenses,micro-lensesor opticaldiffusion However,withsuchhighlevels ofefficacy,usingcontrolgroupsoverlong periodsraisesobviousethicalquestions

Overall,themethodsofmyopiamanagementoffersafetyandarenotassociatedwithmajoradverse effects Thepotentialreboundeffectsoflow-doseatropineappeartobeminimal However,emerging therapies,suchasexposuretointenseredlight,raisequestionsabouttheeffectonocularhealthinboth theshortandlongterm

LangisandPatrickResponse:ClinicalPearl

“Itisalmostimpossibletokeeptrackofalltheresearchthatisdoneeachyear.Thatiswhy summarieslikethisarticleallowustosynthesizeknowledge'sprogressandforeseethedevelopment pathsthatwillappearinthenextyears.

Onethingiscertain,ifsomepractitionersdonotseetheneedtocontrolmyopiaintheirpractice,it couldbelatewhentheywanttocatchup.Somuchwillhavehappened!”

IMI-OnsetandProgressionofMyopiainYoungAdults

Thereismoreandmoreevidencethatmyopiadoesnotstopdevelopingwithphysicalgrowth,andmore andmoreyoungadultsarecomingtousbecausetheirmyopiadoesnotstopprogressing.Thisarticle aimstocharacterizemyopiainthe18-40yearsgroup,assesswhatiscurrentlyknown,andhighlightthe gapsincurrentunderstanding.Thus,basedontheliterature,itispossibletodemonstratethatalmostonethirdofmyopicpatientsworldwidehaveexperiencedlate-onsetmyopia,exceptinEastAsia,whereit developsearlierinchildhood.Youngadultsmayexperiencea1Dchangeinrefractivestatusbetweenthe agesof20and30.Whilethisistrue,noclearevidenceexiststhatcontrolmethodsappliedinyounger patientsareequallyeffectiveinyoungadults.Longitudinalstudieswillbeneededtodemonstratewhich approachismoredesirable,butthesestudiesmaybedifficulttoconduct,especiallygiventhelengthof timerequiredtoreachvalidconclusion.

LangisandPatrickResponse:ClinicalPearl

“Wemustpayequalattentiontoyoungadults,whocanprogressjustaswellastheyoungerones.We alsoneedtodiscusswithparentsofouryoungmyopesthatmyopiamanagementstrategiesmay needtobeappliedbeyondtheindividual's18thbirthday.”

IMI-TheDynamicChoroid:NewInsights,ChallengesandPotentialSignificanceforHumanMyopia

Thechoroidisrecognizedasadynamic,multifunctional,anderectiletissue(itsvolumeincreaseswith bloodflow).Itcanbemodulatedinresponsetoopticalorphysiologicalsignals.Publishedresearch reportingarelationshipbetweenopticalstimulusandchoroidalchangeisreviewed.Thisarticleis particularlyinterestedintherelationshipbetweenthechoroidalresponseandocularelongation, especiallyinthecontextofmyopia.Theauthorsconcludethatdespitesomeevidence,itistooearlyto concludethatshort-termchoroidalchangesaretrulypredictiveoflongitudinalchangesthatoccurwith myopicprogression.

LangisandPatrickResponse: ClinicalPearl

“Thereisgreatinterestin evaluatingthechoroidasa biomarkerforthefuture developmentofmyopia.Thisarticle remindsusofthelimitationsof currenttechnologyandthe difficultyofstandardizingthistype ofmeasurement.However,the interestiscertainlythere,and futureworkwilllikelyestablishbest practices.Itmayconfirmwhether choroidalvariationcanremaina topicofinterestinestablishingthe mostoptimalstrategiesfor controllingmyopicprogression.”

IMI-ManagementandInvestigationofHighMyopiaininfantsandYoungChildren

Thisarticleattemptstoidentifyalltheissuessurroundingarare(1%)butverypresentpopulation,thehigh myopes(>5D)atanearlyage.Thearticle'smeritistoclarifythatthishighmyopiainearlylifeshouldnot beconfusedwithothermyopiasaffectingolderkids.Foryoungerhighmyopes,genetics,prematurity and/orsystemiccausesmayexplaintheoccurrenceofhighandearlymyopia.Itisimportanttoestablish thediagnosisofthedisease,ifany,beforecontrollingthemyopicdevelopment.Clinicalassessments shouldalsobeperformedtoidentifyanteriorsegmentmalformationsorvitreoretinalpathologiesthatmay bepresentatthisage.Geneticandancillarytests,suchaselectroretinography,areindicated.Oncea properdiagnosisoftheetiologyhasbeenestablished,thehighmyopiamustbefullycorrected.Still,the meansofcontrollingitsevolutionwillvaryaccordingtothenatureofthedamage,butaboveall, accordingtotheparticularprofileoftheyoungmyope.Theusualmethodsmaynotbeaseffective.

LangisandPatrickResponse:ClinicalPearl

“Thispopulationofveryyoungandverymyopicpatientsremindsusmorethaneverthatmyopia mustbetreatedonechildatatime.Eachhasitsowncharacteristicsandprogressionfactors.We mustthereforeadaptourcontrolmethodstothechangingrealityofeachpatient.Inthespecificcase ofveryyoungandverymyopicpatients,itisimportanttodeterminewhetherthereissystemic, neurological,orsyndromicorigin.Ifso,themanagementbecomesmorecomplexandnecessarily involvesamultidisciplinaryapproach.”

IMI-NonpathologicalHumanOcularTissueChangeswithAxialMyopia

Theelongationoftheeyethatoccursduringthedevelopmentofmyopialeadstoavarietyofstructural changesthatarenotconsideredocularpathologies:theeyeadoptsaprolateellipsoidshape, photoreceptorsbecomemisaligned,retinalpigmentepithelialcelldensityandtotalretinalthickness decrease Thechoroidandsclerabecomethinnersecondtothescleralremodeling Inmoderatemyopia, theBruch'smembrane(BM)openingshifts,usuallytowardthefovea,andbecomesabsentinthetemporal region Asaresult,theopticdisctakesonaverticallyovalshape,thefovea-opticdiscdistanceincreases, theanglekappadecreases,andthepapillomacularretinalvesselsandnervefibersstraightenandstretch Inhighmyopia,tissuechangesaremorepronounced,includingthelaminacribrosa Itisimportantto characterizethesechangestobetterunderstandthedevelopmentofmyopiaanditsprogressionto pathologicdisease

LangisandPatrickResponse:ClinicalPearl

“Thisarticletouchesonanatomicalandphysiologicalaspectsthatareimportanttomaster Theeye ofamyopechangesandcanaffectthequalityofvision Itisnotbecausetheretinaseemsnormal thatitsstructureisnotdeeplyaltered Thisunderstandingalsoreinforcestheneedtoproperlycontrol theprogressionofmyopiatoavoiddevelopinglong-termphysiologicalandfunctional complications”

IMI-GlobalTrendsinMyopiaManagementAttitudesandStrategiesinClinicalPractices-2022Update Until2019,surveysofeyecareprofessionalsshowedtheirsensitivitytomyopiaandcontrolmethods, althoughthemajoritycontinuedtoprescribeanddispensesingle-visionlenses.Thisarticleaimstoupdate thisdatabyreportingtheresultsofasurveyconductedbyquestionnairein13languagesworldwide.A totalof3195practitionersrespondedtothesurvey.

Practitionersareconcernedabouttheincreasingpresenceofyoungmyopesintheirpractices,especially inAsia.ThemostactivepractitionersareinAsiaandAustralia.Forthoseusingcontrolstrategies,the combinedoptician-pharmacistapproachappearstobepreferred,followedbyorthokeratologyand atropinemonotherapy.Usingsinglevisionspectaclesorcontactlenses,undercorrection,progressiveor bifocallensesareperceivedasineffective.

Itseemsthattheuseofmyopiacontrolstrategiesisincreasinginfrequency,andthesituationhasbeen improvingsince2019.Therearestilllargedifferencesbetweenpractitionersandbetweencontinents.In additiontothebenefitstopatients,thoseinvolvedinmyopiacontrolgainprofessionalvalue,andthe practiceisbetteroff,bothreputationallyandfinancially.

IMI-GlobalTrendsinMyopiaManagementAttitudesandStrategiesinClinicalPractices-2022Update

Until2019,surveysofeyecareprofessionalsshowedtheirsensitivitytomyopiaandcontrolmethods, althoughthemajoritycontinuedtoprescribeanddispensesingle-visionlenses.Thisarticleaimstoupdate thisdatabyreportingtheresultsofasurveyconductedbyquestionnairein13languagesworldwide.A totalof3195practitionersrespondedtothesurvey.Practitionersareconcernedabouttheincreasing presenceofyoungmyopesintheirpractices,especiallyinAsia.ThemostactivepractitionersareinAsia andAustralia.Forthoseusingcontrolstrategies,thecombinedoptician-pharmacistapproachappearsto bepreferred,followedbyorthokeratologyandatropinemonotherapy.Usingsinglevisionspectaclesor contactlenses,undercorrection,progressiveorbifocallensesareperceivedasineffective.Itseemsthat theuseofmyopiacontrolstrategiesisincreasinginfrequency,andthesituationhasbeenimprovingsince 2019.Therearestilllargedifferencesbetweenpractitionersandbetweencontinents.Inadditiontothe benefitstopatients,thoseinvolvedinmyopiacontrolgainprofessionalvalue,andthepracticeisbetteroff, bothreputationallyandfinancially.

LangisandPatrickResponse:ClinicalPearl

“Changingattitudesisalongprocess,andthereisstillalotofpersuasionandeducationtobedone beforemyopiacontrolstrategiesbecomestandardofpracticeworldwide.Manyofourcolleagues remainskepticalorunwillingtospendthetimenecessarytolearnaboutthesubjectortodiscuss theseissueswithparentsandpatients.Withconcreteexamples,itisourdutytodemonstratethat myopiamanagementisawin-winsituationforECPsandpatients.”

MembershipResources

WhataretheBenefitsofMembership?

JoiningtheAcademyshowsyoursupportforthe specialtyofmyopiamanagementandorthoK There isstrengthinnumbers Ourgrowingnumberof membersincreasesourinfluencewithindustryand aswellaspublicawareness Butyouwillalsofinda mountainofvalue-addedbenefits

TheAAOMCDoctorFinder Thisaneasy-to-useway forpatientstofindamyopiamanagementspecialist intheirarea Itisalsoaneasywayforyoutofinda membertotransfercareforyourrelocatingpatients

TheIAOMCGoogleDiscussionForum Connectwith leadersinmyopiamanagementdiscussingtrending topics,fittingupdates,troubleshootingtips,current science/publications,andpracticemanagement tips.WhenyouhaveaMMquestion,youareno longeralone.Postaquestionandyouwillgetan answer…oftenfromaroundtheworld.

DocumentLibrary.Hugelibraryofmyopiacontrolrelatedformsanddocumentsincludingmarketing materials,informed-consentcontracts,etc.Why reinventthewheel?

Newsletter.Readourquarterlynewsletter.Itwillhave cuttingedgeinformation,meetingnotifications, BoardofDirectorreportsandmore.

Webinars.TheAcademyprovidesmonthlymemberonlywebinarsoncuttingedgeconcepts,fitting technology,marketingetc.

VisionbyDesign.Fourdayintensivemyopia managementcoursesandseminars.Consideredthe premierMMmeetingoftheyear.Themeetingstarts offwithBootCampforNewcomersdesignedto providedoctorsnewtoMMwithastrongbackground togettheirnewlyadoptedspecialtyrunning smoothly.

AAOMCDiscounts.Membersreceivesubstantial discountsonourmeetings,eventsandproducts. Industryvendorsoffersignificantdiscountsto Academymembers.

ProofofMembership.proudlydisplayyourcertificate ofmembership.Thiscanincreaseyourcredibility withyourpatients.

EarlyAdopter.Academymembersareseenas ahead-of-the-curveintheirprofession.Vendors provideuswithfirstaccesstonewmyopia managementtechnology(instrumentation,drops, solutions,lenses).

International.ByjoiningAAOMCyoualsobecomea memberoftheInternationalAcademyof orthokeratologyandMyopiaControlgivingyou accesstoourworld-widemembers/patients.Itis usefulandfuntoseehowmyopiaisbeingmanaged throughouttheworld.

Networking.ThroughtheGoogleGrouporatVBD youwillmeetlike-mindedpractitioners,exchange ideasandgetlotsofpearlsofwisdom.

StaffTraining.Weofferastaff-levelmembership withaccesstotheGoogleGroupforallstaffwho strivetobethebestintheirfield.Further,wehavean OnlineStaffBootCampdesignedtoeducateyour staffinallaspectsofmyopiamanagement.Thisis invaluabletodaywhereweexperiencestaffturnover andlittletimetodocomprehensivetraining.

Accreditation.TheAcademyoffersthreelevelsof peer-reviewedaccreditationtoitsmembers

FIAOMC(FellowshipintheInternational Academy) Thehighestlevelofaccreditation It denotesmasteryleveltraininginthefieldof orthokeratologyaswellasmyopiacontrol They receiveaspecialprominentFIAOMCtaginthe doctorfinder

IACMM(CertificationintheInternational Academy)Certificationdenotedmasterylevel traininginthefieldofmyopiamanagement They receiveaprominentIACMMtaginthedoctor finder

CMN(CertifiedMyopiaNavigator)Availableto staff-levelmembers Staffhavecompletedan on-linemyopiamanagementcourseandpassed awrittenknowledgetest

WrittenbySophiaLam,O

IntheUnitedStatesof America(USA),thecurrentl availablemyopiacontrol optionsincludeorthokerato multifocalsoftcontactlenses, andlow-doseatropineeyedrops Afterbeing presentedwiththeseoptions,parentsoften ultimatelyinquireaboutwhichmyopiacontrol methodisthemosteffective Givenallofthethree treatmentoptionshavesimilarefficacy(~40-50% myopicreductioncomparedtocontrolgroups1), parentsfrequentlyseekadditionalguidanceto finalizetheirdecisions

Orthokeratology(Ortho-K)isapopularmyopia controloptionthatutilizesnegativepressureto steepenthemid-peripheralcorneaunderareverse geometrygaspermeablecontactlens Byflattening thecentralcorneaandsteepeningthemid peripheralcornea,ortho-Ksuppliesperipheral myopicdefocustoslowmyopiaprogressionwhile alsoprovidingthebenefitofspectacle-freedaytime vision Thisbenefitalonemayresonatewellwith parentswhogrewupwearingglasses,howeverthe expectationsshouldbesetforalengthyand involvedfittingprocess Apartfromage,patient personalityshouldbeobservedintheexamroomto determineifthepatientisamenabletoinitial discomfortexperiencedduringGPapplication Childrenasyoungasage6maybeabletotolerate ortho-K,whereasolderchildrenmaynotbewillingto committotheprocess Adequatesleepofatleast78hoursnightlyisalsoanimportantcriteriafor satisfactoryvisualquality Baselinemeasurementsof refractiveerrorandcornealtopographyshouldbe performedtoscreenforcandidacy Highmyopia greaterthan6D,highastigmatismgreaterthan2D, flatKs(resultingin<37Dposttreatment),againstthe-ruleastigmatism,andobliqueastigmatismmay allresultinachallengingfit2 Patientswithrefractive cylnotmatchingcornealcylmayalsohaveresidual lenticularastigmatismthatresultsinsuboptimal vision Ifparentsareinformedofpoorprospects,they mayshyawayfromortho-Kasthefirstchoice

TeaTimewiththeResidents HelpingYourPatientsChooseTheirOwn MyopiaControlAdventures

Multifocalsoftcontactlenses(MFSCLs)also allowglasses-freedaytimevisionwiththe addedbenefitsoffamiliarityforparentswho alreadyweardisposablesoftcontactlenses, bettercomfortuponlensapplication,andease ofreplacementwhenlensesarelostor damaged.MFSCLsgenerallyallowforcorrection ofawiderrangeofprescriptionscomparedto ortho-K,providinganalternativecontactlens optionformyopiamanagementthatisoften lesstimeconsuming.MiSightandNaturalVue aredistance-centereddailydisposablecontact lensescurrentlyavailableintheUSA.For patientswithhighminusorhighcylinder prescriptionsthatfalloutsideoftheavailable dailydisposableparameters,monthly, distance-centerBiofinityToricMultifocallenses with+2.50addareavailableinpowersupto -10Dsphereand-5.75Dcylinder4.Patientswho arevisualsharpenersmaynoticeamildblur effectfromthemultifocaloptics,whichmay leadtopoorcomplianceandadiscussion aboutalternativemanagementoptions.Onthe otherhand,patientswithcornealirritationfrom trichiasiscanbenefittwo-foldfromthe coverageofaprotectivesoftcontactlensand myopiacontrol.

Youngpatientswithsmallpalpebralapertures, however,maynotbegoodcandidatesfor insertingalargediametersoftcontactlens.

Low-doseatropineistypicallyoneoftheeasiest myopiacontroloptionstointegrate,which makesitapopulartreatmentoptionforyounger kidswhoarenotreadyforcontactlenswear.It isalsoanoptionthatcanbecombinedas adjunctivetherapywithortho-KorMFSCLsinthe eventofpoormyopiacontrolwithasingle treatmentoption Duringconsultation,parents shouldbewarnedofpotentiallightsensitivity andnearblurissuesafterinitiatinglow-dose atropine,aswellastheneedtostillwearglasses duringthedaytime Whenpatientsreachan agewheretheywanttodiscontinueatropine,a slowtaperwillneedtobeusedtoreducethe riskofreboundprogression Parentsshouldalso beinformedtheywillneedtopurchasetheeye dropsout-of-pocketfromanoutside compoundingpharmacy

PatientsintheUSAwhohaveKaiserinsurance alternativelymayrequesttoreceivedropsfroma Kaiserpharmacy.

Intheeventyourpatient’sRxfallsoutsidetherange ofcommerciallyavailableMFSCsL,thereisalsothe optiontoorderspecialtylensessuchascustomsoft contactlenses,multifocalGPs,ormultifocalscleral lenses Contactlensadversepatientswhoare alreadyonatropinemaybeinterestedinordering myopiacontrolspectaclessuchasDIMSforadjunct therapy Thesespectaclesarenotcurrentlyavailable intheUSAbutcanbeorderedfromprovidersin Canadawiththepatient'sownframesandoptical measurements Contactlenswearmaymotivate somepatientstofeelmoreconfidentabouttheir physicalappearance,engaginginathleticactivities, anddevelopingsocialconfidence5 Myopia managementcanbeacomplexjourneyforfamilies, butsettingexpectationsforwhatoptionsare availablewillhelpyourpatientsfeelreadytobegin theiradventure!

"Young patients with small palpebral apertures, however, may not be good candidates for inserting a large diameter soft contact lens."

Announcements

MeetOurBoardofDirectors

HaveyoueverwonderedwhattheAmericanAcademyofOrthokeratology&MyopiaControllookslike behindthescenes?Asanon-profit,theAAOMCreliesheavilyonthevolunteerismofourmemberdoctors. Wehave14memberscurrentlyresidingonourBoardofDirectors.TheBODworkstirelesslytomakedreams arealityincludingthefollowinginitiatives:

Accreditation(testingnewFIAOMC,IACMM,andCMNcandidates)

StudentLiaisonEfforts

Education-PlanningandexecutingVisionByDesign

ContentCreation:webinars,podcasts,writtencontentforpublications

Andmuchmore!

Wearegratefulforandproudofourmemberdoctorsthathavesteppedup inthepastandpresenttofulfillthisrole.

CherylChapman President

PaulLevine Treasurer

CarolineKaufman Secretary

DwightBarnes Director

CarolineCauchi Director

SamiElHage Director

MarieHoma-Palladino Director

BruceKoffler Director

LangisMichaud Director

SomiOh Director

AnithPillai Director

JonathanSkoner Director StephanieTsang Director

MichaelTwa Director

PracticePearls

Itsoundslikeasmallthingbutduring myopiamanagementconsultvisitsit isimportanttospeakdirectlytothe patientinsteadofspendingthewhole visitspeakingtotheparents.The patientwillbemoreengagedandwill betterunderstandtheprocess.-Dr. DwightBarnes

We'retryingtoscheduleallOK patientsonpermanentfewdaysof theweekinsteadofrandomly throughouttheweek.Thiswaythe staffanddoctorhavesmootherOK flowonthosedays.-Dr.MiraSivan

Askenoughquestionsduringthe history/examsothatyoucancome toonesinglestrongrecommendation (i.e.MFCLvsorthok).Donotlet parentsdecide.

ParaoptometricTea

AttentiontoDetailsandStayingon

MessageistheKeytoPracticeSuccess

MaxwellMiller

Optician,Reception,WBLDirector MyopiaManagementCoordinator

WhatCananOfficeDotoHelpPromoteOrthokeratology?

Onesmall,yetveryeffectiveprocedurethatallofficescan implementistosimplystayonmessage Everysingle patientthatcomestoourofficeforanexamwillgetasked thesamequestionsduringthepre-testingprocess “Doyou wearglasses?contactlenses?orvisioncorrectingretainers atnight?”Thissentenceopensthedoortothepatient inquiringwhatexactlyvisionretainersare Thisworksintwo ways,numberoneitpeakscuriosityintowhatvision retainersareandnumbertwo,givesthetechniciansthe chancetodiscussmyopiamanagementaswell Theageof thepatientdoesnotmatter Thepatientwhoispresented thisinformationmaynothaveaninterestin orthokeratologyormyopiamanagement However,almost everyoneknowssomeonewhoisnearsightedorhas nearsightedchildren Thisconversationoftenleadstonew fitsandalsotoreferrals Consistencyiskey

HowDoYouKeepTrackofAlloftheOrthokeratology OrdersintheOffice?

HaveAPracticePearl YouWouldLiketoShare?

SendYourPealstomegan@aminc.org

Iamblessedtobeapartofabusymyopiamanagement officewithanemphasisonorthokeratology Wehavea largenumberofexistingorthokeratologypatientswhohave beenonprogramsformanyyears,combinedwithnew patientswhoarejuststartingtheprocess Thismeanswe havealotoforderstokeeptrackof Whenitcomesto keepingtrackoforthokeratologyretainerordersinour officewehavefoundthatlessismore Tocomplicate mattersDr Martinisaferventbelieverinpromoting optometryandourofficehasastrongworkbasedlearning program Tolearnmoreaboutourprogramcheckoutthe correctedviewpodcastepisode22“Buildingfuture doctors” Thereforewehavetechnicianswhoarewell trainedbutchangeeveryyear Arobustproceduralsystem isneededfortrackingtheseordersinlightofthetypesoftechniciansweemploy Towardsthatend, WeuseourEHRtohelpustracktheordersbutthatdoesnotmeanthatwecompletelyrelyonit Asa safetymeasurewealsokeeppaperrecords Whilethisseemslikearedundancy,weattempttokeepthe systemsimple Writingonlythepatient’sname,dateordered,datereceived,datedispensed,and employee’sinitials Inourofficewehaveseenthatutilizingacombinationofpaperandelectronicordering systemsisthebestwaytomakesureeverythingflowssmoothlyforthepatientandfortheoffice Afterall,efficiencyleadstosuccessandprofit

-Dr.NathanBonillaWarford

WhatistheImportanceofStaffEducationin theOffice?

Oneofthehallmarksofourofficeisastrong educationalcomponent.Thebettereducated thestaffisonmyopiamanagement,themore successfulthepracticebecomes.Whenstaff membersareempoweredwithknowledge, notonlydoesthatleadtobetterpatient interactionsbutitalsokeepsmyopia managementfreshinourminds. Understandingthebasicsoforthokeratology, lowdoseatropine,andperipheraldefocus contactlenses,givesstafftheconfidenceto makerecommendationsforpatientsand familymembersthatwouldbenefitfrom theseprograms.InourofficeDr.Martin periodicallygivespowerpointpresentationsto thestaff,withsubjectsthatrangefrom seekingproperreferrals,tolenscare concepts.Asmanyofyouknow,weare movingintoalargerfacilitythisfall,andwhile Dr.Martinisexcitedaboutourincreased footprint,heisalso“stoked”aboutour spaciousconferenceroom.Thisisgoingto allowamoreseamlessprocessforthe educationalcomponent.Quarterlyeducation keepseveryonesharpandenthusiastic.So shareyourknowledge,“Becauseknowledgeis power”.

MaxwellMiller

Optician,Reception,WBLDirector

MyopiaManagementCoordinator

Auburnoptical.com

(989)662-2501

955.W.MidlandRd. Auburn,MI,48611

MaxAuburnOptical@gmail.com

ClosingRemarks

TheWonderofInternational BrothersandSisters

WrittenbyCarolineGuerreroCauchi, OD,IACMM,FIAOMC

Thisyearhasseenthetrueprimarymissionofthe IAOMC/AAOMCbeingfulfilled.

“Ourmissionistosupport,promoteand advancethescienceoforthokeratology andmyopiacontrolbyprovidingquality educationandscientificinformationonthe subjecttoallinterestedpractitioners. Wewillprovideanunbiasedforumfor thefreeexchangeofideasandconcepts relatingtoallaspectsoforthokeratology andmyopiacontrol.”

EarlierthisyearweinvitedallIAOMCsectionstojoinour Googlegroup.Andjointheydidwithagreatflourish. OurIAOMCGoogleGroupseespostingsfromALLOVER THEWORLD.Thishasprovidedallourmemberswithan amazingperspective.Further,gainingnovelknowledge, ideasandsolutions.Theenthusiasmisinfectious.

Withinourownsection,we haveseenhugeparticipation fromourCanadian members.Theyaresomeof themosttalentedindividuals forwhichIhavehadthe pleasureofcollaborating. Thiscollaborationhasmade usamuchstronger organization.Weare embracingcertifications, creatingon-linelearningwith outstandingwebinarsanda

"Within our own section, we have seen huge participation from our Canadian members. They are some of the most talented individuals for which I have had the pleasure of collaborating."

havedevelopedastrongnetworkwillingtohelp practitionersnewtothefield Wehaveseenaserious increaseinmembershipfromyoungridiculously passionateandDIVERSEmembers IrememberwhenI wastheonlyfemalememberoftheBoardofDirectors formanyyears NowwehavesixontheBoardof Directors,thePresidentisafemaleandfourwomen areontheAdvisoryBoard Wehavecreateda section/organizationforwhichwecanbeproud

YoumayhaveachancetomeetinternationalmemberssoonasmanyofthemwillattendVBD Likewise, membersoftheAAOMCarealwayswelcomeatothersectionmeetingsaswell Wehavecreatedastrong bondandfriendshipsthatwilllastforever

Asweenterthesecondhalfof2023rememberthatnoonegetstowheretheyarealone,wehaveallhad helpfromothersinourpast Whenyouseeapostingfromanewmember,reachoutandgivethemthe benefitofyourwisdom WhenyouattendVBDandyouseeanewface,engagethem Whenyougive,you alwaysgetpaidbackwithinterest

SpreadtheLove

KnowaDoctororParaoptometricthatyouthink wouldenjoythecamaraderieandbenefitsof TheAAOMC?

InviteThemtoJoin!