Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced the appointment of Dr. Javier Prada‑López, OD, to its board of directors. A prominent figure in Latin American optometry, Dr. Prada‑López is widely recognized for his expertise in specialty contact lenses, myopia management and his instrumental role in advancing the optical industry across the region. He brings more than 47 years of experience in clinical practice, education, manufacturing and executive leadership.

Dr. Prada‑López is the founder of CEOM (Centro de especialidades Oculares y manejo de Miopía) in Costa Rica and currently serves as president of the Latin American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control, a position he has held since 2024. He is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC) and a board member of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (IAOMC).

A Career Defined by Innovation and Industry Development

A graduate of the University of Costa Rica with a degree in optometry and optics, Dr. Prada‑López completed advanced training in contact lenses in 1983, followed by professional development programs in Fort Lauderdale and London. His clinical expertise spans more than four decades, with a strong focus on refractive disorders and myopia management over the past 14 years.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Prada‑López has played a pivotal role in shaping the optical industry in Central America. For nearly five decades, he led Grupo Visión, a network of 140 optical clinics in Costa Rica and 16 in Nicaragua. He also contributed to the creation of Costa Rica’s first Essilor‑aligned optical laboratory in 1984. Since that same year, he has served as president of DIOPSA, a distributor of optical, ophthalmic and pharmaceutical products, and since 2012, he has directed VisionLab, a digital laboratory specializing in contact lenses.

A Lifelong Commitment to Education and Vision Access

Dr. Prada‑López has also made significant contributions to optometric education. He served as director of the University of Costa Rica’s postgraduate ophthalmology program from 1996 to 2016, helping advance the profession throughout Latin America.

“We are thrilled to welcome Javier to the OGS board of directors,” said Juan Carlos Aragón, co‑chair of the Optometry Giving Sight board. “His deep experience across every facet of the optical industry, combined with his leadership in myopia management and his strong roots in Latin America, make him an exceptional addition to our organization.”

“Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how access to basic eye care can change the course of a life,” said Dr. Prada‑López. “Optometry Giving Sight is doing essential work to ensure that access is a right, not a privilege. I look forward to supporting this mission in every way I can.”

Source : Optometry Giving Sight

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