Myopia management in the spotlight

Every member of the practice team can have a role in shaping the vision of the next generation by engaging with myopia management.

What may have previously been seen as a specialist clinical field is now a talking point beyond the consulting room door – with dispensing opticians, contact lens opticians, receptionists and optical assistants all playing their part in raising awareness and building understanding of myopia management.

OT speaks with practice team members about their experiences of this emerging area of practice. Practitioners outline the key messages they convey to young patients and their caregivers, as well as their thoughts on what makes a successful myopia management offering.

For the past two years, Specsavers Dorking has been offering myopia management with MiSight 1 day contact lenses and Miyosmart spectacle lenses available to young patients.

Dispensing manager, Haitham Al-Omari, shared that myopia management has the potential to affect a patient’s final prescription and their future eye health.

He emphasised that an educated team is “imperative” when offering myopia management.

“Our ability to guide patients through this process and answer their questions will determine whether they opt for myopia management or not,” Al-Omari said.

“Having a confident, knowledgeable team ensures this process is as smooth as possible and allows the patient to make an informed choice,” he highlighted.

Al-Omari observed that myopia management can be a new concept for many patients and their parents.

Outlining the key messages that he conveys to patients, Al-Omari shared that he is often discussing myopia management with young patients who have myopic family members.

These family members are aware of some of the “surface level” issues that arise with myopia – such as thick lenses and a more limited frame choice.

“The ability to potentially quell some of these future issues is very appealing and the idea that we have optical appliances that can achieve this is well received,” he said.

While patients and their families are less familiar with the link between myopia and the risk of ocular pathology, Al-Omari endeavours to explain this association in a way that patients can understand.

Contact lens optician and practice director, Julie Clarkson, began fitting orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lenses at Hakim Group independent, Simon Falk Eyecare, in 2008.

She shared that initially only adults were fitted with ortho-k lenses. However, following research that examined the effectiveness of ortho-k in slowing myopia progression, Simon Falk Eyecare began fitting children with ortho-k from around 2013.

From this point onwards, the majority of ortho-k fits at the practice were performed in younger patients rather than adults.

“We now have over 100 patients in ortho-k,” Clarkson shared.

She highlighted that regardless of the mode of myopia management that is used, there is a common benefit to patients in slowing progression “for the future health of their eyes.”

Clarkson emphasised that contact lenses confer the added benefit of being able to take part in sporting and social activities without the need to wear spectacles.

“For some it improves their confidence,” she said.

In terms of her tips for effectively implementing myopia management in practice, Clarkson highlighted: “The key to a successful myopia management offering is to have good communication skills, not only with the parent but the child too.”

Myopia management is initially discussed in the consulting room following an eye examination, with a follow-up email containing more information sent to the parents.

“The patient and parent should feel fully informed and that they can ask any further questions,” Clarkson said.

She highlighted the value of being knowledgeable about the products on offer – including the availability of parameter ranges and information on the intervention’s efficacy.

Clarkson encouraged those who are new to myopia management not to be nervous about starting out.

“I believe the best way to learn is through experience and using the products,” she said.

With an established track record in delivering myopia management, most new patients come to the practice through word of mouth.

“Patient referral really is the best marketing we can receive as it shows trust and confidence in the service and products we offer in practice,” Clarkson emphasised.

She highlighted the personal rewards that this area of practice can bring.

“As a contact lens practitioner, dispensing optician and director, I find myopia management so rewarding and enjoyable,” Clarkson said.

Optometrist and practice owner, Bhavin Shah, has been offering myopia management at Central Vision Opticians since 2016.

The practice offers dual-focus soft contact lenses, ortho-k and peripheral defocus spectacles.

Shah highlighted that all myopia management options have the potential to improve quality of life by lowering a young person’s final spectacle prescription.

“Children who wear contact lenses often have a better experience when playing sports and have more confidence with their peers,” he added.

Shah has observed the “huge difference” myopia management makes to children during the seven years his practice has offered the intervention.

He is an advocate of all staff becoming engaged in myopia management.

“Team members need to discuss myopia management with all parents and also grandparents. Have conversations about how it can help children,” Shah said.

He recommended that the practice should have a list of frequently asked questions for all staff to review.

“Practise answering these questions confidently,” Shah shared.