The Toronto International Centre was the venue for a full day of CE, workshops and trade exhibits focused exclusively on Myopia Management on Sunday November 6th.

Nearly 200 participants availed themselves of the opportunity to learn and networkon the topic, which is evolving quickly. The global leading role that Canada plays in advancing therapeutic options and standard of care were repeating themes through the day.

Canada has lead the way in establishing myopia management as the standard of care and offers a wider array of approved treatments to slow the progression of myopia relative to the more conservatively regulated US market. This is particularly true as it relates to specially designed spectacle lens options.

The event was organized by CRO (Clinical & Refractive Optometry), and  Review of Myopia Management (RMM) and copresented with GMAC (the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition).

THE Myopia Meeting provided 4-hours of COPE-approved continuing education credit interspersed with manufacturer workshops by CooperVision, EssilorLuxottica, and Hoya. Johnson & Johnson Vision was also a sponsor and shared information about its new lenses now available in Canada

After an introduction by Review’s chief medical editor Dwight Akerman, OD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, FIACLE, Debbie Jones, BSc, FCOptom, presented her course: “Myopia Control—Where We Are Now and Where We Are Going.”

Vishakha Thakrar, OD, FAAO, FSLS, in her presentation on “Managing Myopia Control Challenges and Complications,” reiterated Canada’s myopia management standard of care along with the currently available treatments, and discussing the genetic and environmental factors influencing myopia including information on the impact of the COVID pandemic on myopia prevalence.

Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, author of Managing Myopia One Child at a Time, began his CE course by emphatically stating, “You have to do something instead of single vision lenses. Because “Any myopia progression before the age of 10 is a time bomb!”

Stephanie Ramdass, OD, MS, MBA, FAAO, FSLS, wrapped up the day with her course: “Tips for Troubleshooting Myopia Management.” “Myopia spectacles really do have an advantage here in Canada,” she said, referencing the spectacle lenses available there that are not yet FDA approved in the U.S. “If we can target that 6- to 8-year-old group we can make a difference.”

As GMAC Board chair, Dr. Millicent Knight explained how the organization has been building consumer awareness around myopia management since 2018 including a brief overview of plans for Canada.

Canadian-based CRO (Clinical & Refractive Optometry) was COPE administrator for this event.

To read the full coverage of the meeting from Review of Myopia Management:

The calendar of events for the forthcoming edition of MIDO set to take place February 4^th to 6^th at Fiera Milano Rho, will soon be available. Only at MIDO will opticians find the entire eyewear supply chain represented – from manufacturers of lenses and machinery to the leading international producers of optical and sun frames, alongside small independent designers. OttiClub is the space where training and conferences with industry professionals are held, while the famous MIDO squares will be enlivened with meetings, conversations, enjoyment and entertainment. 

Visitors can register at https://www.mido.com/en/entry-pass.

Even though the calendar of conferences, events and meetings during the show is still being finalized, the exhibit areas and pavilions for the next MIDO are certain. In fact, six pavilions at Fiera Milano Rho will host MIDO 2023, one more than at the previous edition.

The trade fair also returns to its ‘traditional’ location with stands in pavilions 1 and 3, 2 and 4, 6 and 10. Also confirmed are the exhibit areas – Fashion District, Design Tech, Design Lab, Lenses, FAiR East, Tech, Lab Academy and Start Up. The latter, introduced last year, will host emerging players at an eco-sustainable stand made with recycled and recyclable materials, in keeping with the show’s environmental accountability program begun in 2019.

Exhibitors from around the globe, arriving from Europe as well as from the UK and USA, to mention just the top countries, have already reserved their space at MIDO. Excellent response also from Asian businesses that are returning this year to the area dedicated to their products.

“We are extremely pleased with the participation by Asian countries, especially China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India, Malaysia and Thailand, that, despite the still-high Covid restrictions, will exhibit at the forthcoming edition of the show, remarked Giovanni Vitaloni, President of MIDO. Last May, as we closed the doors of MIDO 2022, we were determined to bring back the Asian exhibitors and, in spite of the difficult international situation, we are achieving our objective, another sign of the international appeal of the Milanese eyewear show.” 

Nominations are open for the BeStore award, decided by an international jury of experts and presented to optical centers that offer the best shopping experience, in the ‘Design’ category, and the most outstanding customer service, in the ‘Innovation’ category. To nominate your stand, complete the form:  https://www.mido.com/en/bestore-award by no later than January 9, 2023.

Now in its 2^nd edition, theStand Up for Green award will also be presented at MIDO 2023, in recognition of the most sustainable stand, in terms of focus on environmental impact and use of materials. To nominate your stand, please complete the form on the website by January 15, 2023: https://www.mido.com/en/stand-up-for-green. Award winners will be announced during MIDO 2023.

Source :  MIDO

For the second year in a row, three teams of Canadian researchers working to find treatments for blinding eye diseases are vying for three coveted prizes at Fighting Blindness Canada’s (FBC) Eye on the Cure awards competition, presented by FYidoctors. The competition, moderated by health journalist and former CTV Medical Correspondent Avis Favaro, has teams going head-to-head Dragon’s Den-style in front of three judges and members of the Academy, with $100,000 up for grabs to advance vision research.

“Now more than ever, it is so important to encourage and invest in the research of tomorrow,” said Dr. Larissa Moniz, Director of Research and Mission Programs at Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC). “We are so excited to have the opportunity to spotlight and support these talented researchers as they work to develop new diagnostics and treatments for vision loss.”

Expert judges and an Academy made up of FBC’s biggest supporters will vote for the winners of the $50,000 FYidoctors Research to Watch Award. However, anyone can cast a vote for the winner of the $30,000 Heathbridge Capital People’s Choice Award with a $50 minimum donation.

This year’s researcher finalists include:

• Dr Bob Chow & Dr. Bridget Ryan, focusing on Stargardt disease
• Dr. Anna Ells & Dr. Ellen Zhou, focusing on retinopathy of prematurity
• Dr. Patrick Gooi & Dr. Abdullah Al-Ani, focusing on glaucoma

Eye on the Cure will be streamed at fightingblindness.ca/FBCeyeonthecure on November 18^th at 12 p.m. EST. Voting closes November 19^th at 11:59 p.m. EST. The award winners will be announced on FBC’s Facebook channel, live November 22^nd at 12 p.m. EST.

“Eye on the Cure gives all Canadians a one-of-a-kind opportunity to make a real impact on the future of vision science and secure the research aspirations of these teams,” Moniz added. “It’s an opportunity to have a say in something that is life-changing.”

To watch Eye on the Cure for free or place a donation to vote, register at fightingblindness.ca/fbceyeonthecure

Source: Fighting Blindness Canada

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have launched an online resource in support of their global, evidence-based dry eye disease education initiative. The website, dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info, features on-demand webinars presented by world-renowned faculty, in-practice tools including clinical studies and white papers, and other professional development resources.

World Council of Optometry President-elect Dr. Sandra Block said, “Our new website presents the latest dry eye disease data and science to the entire optometric community through trusted information and tools. Of value no matter the size of your practice or the length of your experience, these resources offer practical measures to help improve patients’ quality of life.”

The first on-demand Dry Eye Spotlight webinar, “Dry Eye Disease Mitigation,” is now available on the website, following its debut yesterday. Presented by Professors Jennifer Craig, Lyndon Jones, and James Wolffsohn, the lively discussion focuses on understanding the prevalence and etiology of dry eye, associated risk factors, and how to triage patients presenting with symptoms.

Registration for future live chat-enabled Dry Eye Spotlight webinars will open in the weeks before the debut of each. These include “Dry Eye Disease Measurement” on January 17, 2023, “Dry Eye Disease Management” on March 8, 2023, and the “Dry Eye Disease Wheel Tool” on May 16, 2023. On-demand versions then become active the following day.

In-practice tools available on the website include articles, reports, and clinical studies that explore the three main pillars of dry eye disease mitigation, measurement, and management. This collection of practical tools will be updated regularly.

A featured blog from the initiative’s faculty members and guest bloggers will present their latest observations to participants.

Click HERE for the full press release.