November 28, 2024
ST. LOUIS — The Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) has welcomed six leading experts to its 2025 Advisory Panel. They will play a pivotal role in advancing GMAC’s mission to raise global awareness of childhood myopia.
“We are delighted to welcome this exceptional group to the GMAC Advisory Panel,” said Olga Prenat, Chair of GMAC. “Their expertise will be invaluable in guiding GMAC’s efforts to increase awareness of myopia, among the general public and especially parents. By focusing on the importance of regular eye exams, prevention measures, early detection, intervention and global collaboration, we aim to make a meaningful impact in helping families manage this critical health issue.”
2025 GMAC Advisory Panel Members:
The new advisory panel members bring significant expertise in myopia research, clinical practice, and education. Each member’s unique contributions will enhance GMAC’s ability to engage with health care associations, parents, and other stakeholders, promoting a deeper understanding of childhood myopia. The new members of the 2025 GMAC Advisory Panel are:
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Dr. Chukwuemeka Junior Obinwanne, OD, MOptom, Dipl. (AAO), FAAO, FSLS – Head of Cornea, Contact Lens & Myopia Control, De-Lens Ophthalmics. Dr. Obinwanne is an expert in cornea, specialty contact lenses, and myopia control, based in Nigeria. His research focuses on scleral lenses, keratoconus, ocular surface disease, cornea, and childhood myopia. Dr. Obinwanne is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), a diplomate of the Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies (CCLRT) section of the AAO, and the first Nigerian to become a fellow of the Scleral Lens Education Society, USA. |
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Prof. Ian Flitcroft, MA, MBBS, DPhil – Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Co-Founder of Ocumetra (Ireland). Prof. Ian Flitcroft has over 20 years of experience in experimental myopia research. Based at the Centre for Eye Research in Dublin, he collaborates with research teams in Hong Kong, the U.S., and China. A long-time advocate for myopia’s public health implications, Dr. Flitcroft is a principal investigator on multiple myopia treatment trials and leads a “Big Data” initiative to develop growth models and monitoring software for eye growth.
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Dr. Kanwal (Ken) Nischal, MD, FAAP, FRCOphth – Division Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology, UPMC Children’s Hospital (USA). Dr. Nischal is a leading pediatric ophthalmologist with expertise in pediatric cataract surgery, strabismus, and rare corneal diseases. He developed the division of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at UPMC Children’s Hospital and pioneered techniques in pediatric cataract surgery. Dr. Nischal co-founded the World Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (WSPOS).
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Dr. Kate Gifford, PhD, BAppSc (Optom) Hons, GCOT, FBCLA, FIACLE, FCCLSA, FAAO – Optometrist, Clinician-Scientist, Co-Founder of Myopia Profile (Australia). Dr. Gifford is a renowned clinician-scientist optometrist and peer educator, Visiting Research Fellow at Queensland University of Technology, and co-founder of Myopia Profile. Dr. Gifford has authored over 100 professional publications and serves as Chair of the Clinical Management Guidelines Committee of the International Myopia Institute. |
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Dr. Yue (Maria) Liu, OD, PhD, MPH, MBA, FAAO – Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry, Founder & Chief, Myopia Control Clinic, UC Berkeley (USA). Dr. Liu is an associate professor at UC Berkeley School of Optometry, and founder of the Myopia Control Clinic of UC Berkeley Eye Center. She is a renowned clinical researcher in the field of myopia, and her expertise focuses on the impact of complex multifocal environment on emmetropization and myopia development, as well as novel optical and pharmaceutical interventions in myopia control.
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Dr. Pavan Verkicharla, PhD, BS Opt – Scientist, Head & Consultant Optometrist, INFOR Myopia Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute (India). Dr. Verkicharla is a leading scientist focused on basic and translational research in myopia. He is the Head of the INFOR Myopia Centre at LV Prasad Eye Institute in India. He has published over 60 research papers, and he has received several prestigious awards, including the Bernard Gilmartin Award. He is also a member of the International Myopia Institute task force. |
