January 15, 2026
By Sonya Roscher, CMN
Photo provided by Sonya Roscher, CMN.
When I first started working with Dina Miller, OD, IACMM, I began as the office manager of a full-scope optometry practice. The timing was challenging—balancing the everyday demands of a busy clinic while navigating a global health crisis—but it also gave me an inside look at how practices adapt and evolve.
Today, Dr. Miller’s practice looks very different than it did when I started. What was once a traditional full-scope eye care office is now the Myopia Center of Texas, a specialty clinic devoted entirely to myopia management. My role has evolved as well. As the myopia director, I combine administrative oversight with patient care, supporting families as they navigate their child’s myopia journey.
EXPANDING MY IMPACT WITH A CMN
Dr. Miller’s growing interest in myopia management was contagious. In 2023, she earned her IACMM certification, and I could see her excitement as she continued expanding her expertise. Motivated by her example, I decided to pursue my Certified Myopia Navigator (CMN) credential earlier this year. With only the two of us in the practice, I recognized the importance of being able to support the increasing demands of a growing myopia-focused clinic.
Earning my CMN has allowed me to take on a more active role in patient care. It has also brought a deeper sense of professional fulfillment—especially when I see families leave confident in the care plan we’ve created for their child.
REDESIGNING THE SPACE, REDEFINING MY ROLE
By May 2025, Dr. Miller made the decision to transition the practice into one dedicated exclusively to myopia management. Although we remained in the same physical location, the space underwent a complete transformation. The former optical area was reimagined into a child-centered environment designed specifically for pediatric myopia care. Every change was intentional, reinforcing our commitment to this specialty.
Even now, as the myopia director, I continue to serve as the office manager. I coordinate patient communications, schedule appointments and ensure timely follow-ups. Clinically, I assist with consultations, lead insertion and removal training for contact lens patients and help families understand their treatment options. Wearing multiple hats keeps each day dynamic and purposeful.
My title may have evolved, but our refined focus allows me to give each role—and each patient—the attention it deserves. We’ve streamlined our processes so that every family receives detailed pre-consultation information, thorough in-office education and clear follow-up communication to support long-term success.
COLLABORATION AND REFERRAL NETWORKS
Because we no longer provide routine eye care, the practice now operates entirely on referrals. In a specialty model like ours, collaboration with other providers is essential. Our goal is not to compete but to support each other while helping patients who need specialty care.
As we transitioned to this model, communicating our new focus to local providers was a priority. While some were initially surprised by the shift, many quickly recognized the value of having a dedicated myopia resource in the community. Today, we regularly receive referrals from practices that offer myopia management but do not provide orthokeratology. This collaborative approach strengthens professional relationships while ensuring children receive the level of care they need.
EDUCATION AT EVERY STEP
Education has always been central to Dr. Miller’s approach, and it remains a cornerstone of our practice today. Moving exclusively into myopia management allowed us to dedicate more time to patient and parent education—something that can be difficult to prioritize in a traditional full-scope setting.
Families often tell us that they wish they had known about myopia management sooner. Our goal is to bridge that gap through education. Pre-consultation emails prepare families before their visit, in-office discussions personalize this information and follow-up communication reinforces key points and shares relevant research.
Focusing exclusively on myopia management allows us to go deeper than simply explaining treatment options. We help families understand why early intervention matters, how different therapies work and what realistic outcomes look like over time. Empowering families with knowledge is central to our mission.
A little over half a year into the launch of the Myopia Center of Texas, our focus remains on refining the patient experience and strengthening our clinical approach. As myopia director, and through my role as a CMN, I’m more involved than ever—connecting families with Dr. Miller’s expertise and guiding them through each step of their child’s myopia management journey with confidence and clarity.
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Sonya Roscher, CMN, is the office manager and myopia director at the Myopia Center of Texas. |
