April 15, 2025
Kevin Chan, OD, MS, FAAO, and Ashley Tucker, OD, FAAO, FSLS, were announced as Review of Myopia Management’s new medical co-editors earlier this month. The pair have dedicated their careers to myopia management. In their new roles, they’re committed to working together to promote myopia awareness and spearhead the fight against the myopia epidemic.
A Personal Journey into Myopia Management
For Dr. Chan, the journey into myopia management was deeply personal. With a family history of retinal detachment, he recognized the potential risks associated with myopia for himself and his patients. Initially, his career encompassed various aspects of optometry. However, as he delved deeper into research, he realized that myopia management transcended mere correction. “Safeguarding children’s vision, particularly in light of the escalating global prevalence of myopia, is about more than just prescribing glasses,” he explains. “Rather, it helps change the trajectory of the overall eye health for children in their lifetime.”
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Dr. Ashley Tucker (left) and Dr. Kevin Chan
Dr. Tucker’s path to myopia management was similarly transformative. As a cornea and contact lens resident, she discovered the life-changing effects of orthokeratology for patients who no longer needed daytime correction. “Once I became established in my private practice and started seeing more children, the light bulb went off,” she recalls. “I could use OrthoK to really help these children!” This realization sparked a passion for myopia management that has only grown over the years.
The Obligation to Educate
Dr. Chan and Dr. Tucker emphasize the importance of education in myopia management. Dr. Chan believes that eye care professionals must recognize their obligation to provide effective myopia treatments. “It’s no longer just a ‘good thing to do, but the ‘right thing’ that we as practitioners are obligated to do,” he asserts. “Regardless of how you view myopia, the waves of this epidemic are here to stay, impacting children’s vision for life.”
Dr. Tucker echoes this sentiment. She believes that all ECPs should inform parents about the shift from treating myopia to managing it. “It would be negligent of us not to educate families about their options,” she states. “Every child deserves the opportunity to understand how myopia can affect their vision.”
A Unified Vision for the Eye Care Industry
Looking ahead, both Dr. Chan and Dr. Tucker envision an eye care industry that collaborates to raise public awareness about myopia and advocate for effective treatment strategies. “The eye care industry has tremendous influence in shaping the future of myopia management,” Dr. Chan notes. “I envision a unified mission to cultivate greater awareness and support for practitioners.”
Dr. Tucker adds that affordability is key. “Ideally, there would be affordable options for all myopic children,” she says. “If insurance covers myopia management, we need reasonable reimbursement for both materials and services.” This collaborative approach could ensure that all children have access to the care they need.
The Bright Future of Myopia Management
Both editors are optimistic about the future of myopia management. Dr. Chan believes that it will soon become the standard of care in eye care, akin to how we manage other eye diseases like glaucoma and cataracts. “As more practitioners embrace myopia management, it will solidify the demand for treating myopia as a common practice,” he predicts.
Dr. Tucker shares this optimism, looking forward to FDA-approved formulations of atropine and spectacles that could expand access to myopia management. “These advancements would widen our scope in the U.S. and allow more patients to benefit from myopia management,” she explains.
A Collective Endeavor
Ultimately, both Dr. Chan and Dr. Tucker emphasize that myopia management is not a solo journey but a collective endeavor among all eye care professionals. “It’s essential to grasp the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in conversations about myopia management,” Dr. Chan advises. “We should be ready to share our insights with friends, neighbors and even strangers about how myopia can impact children’s vision for life.”
Dr. Tucker encourages engagement with local educators and health care professionals to build momentum for public awareness. “The more we band together as a profession, the greater the impact we can have,” she asserts.
Conclusion
As the prevalence of myopia continues to rise, the need for effective management strategies becomes increasingly urgent. Dr. Chan and Dr. Tucker’s insights highlight the importance of education, collaboration and a unified vision within the eye care industry. The journey toward effective myopia management is just beginning, and with collective effort, the future looks bright.
