WCO and CooperVision Collaborate for Myopia Management Virtual Event in LATAM

In a strategic move to advance myopia management as the standard of care, the World Council of Optometry (WCO) has teamed up with CooperVision to host its inaugural Latin America-based virtual event, "Myopia Management: From Theory to Practice." Scheduled for February 20, 22, 27, and 29, 2024, the event aims to promote awareness and understanding of myopia management practices.

Two surveys conducted in 2019 and 2023 revealed that over 50% of Latin American eye care professionals incorporate myopia management into their services. However, a significant portion faces challenges, citing limited knowledge and inadequate availability of specialized lenses and related products.

WCO President Sandra Block emphasized the importance of early identification and intervention for effective myopia management, stating, "To do this, we need expanded education, research focused in Latin America, wider access to the tools for myopia management and support from the industry."

The virtual event is a collaborative effort with local organizations, including Group Manejo de la Miopia LATAM, Asociación Latinoamericana de Optometría y Óptica (ALDOO), Colegio Federación Colombiana de Optómetras (FEDOPTO), and Colegio de Optometras de Puerto Rico.

The initiative aligns with the myopia management standard of care resolution introduced in April 2021, emphasizing the three main pillars of mitigation, measurement, and management.

Renowned eye care professionals from the region, including Sandra S. Block, Carlos Chacón, Edgar Dávila-García, and others, will share their perspectives on addressing the myopia epidemic and integrating the three pillars into their clinical practices.

The virtual event, conducted entirely in Spanish, comprises four 90-minute sessions over four days, starting at 6 pm in Central America; 7 pm in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru; and 9 pm in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile.