August 31, 2026
Kevin Chan, OD, MS, FAAO, FBCLA, IACMM
Experience is more than what you see
Photo generated with AI
For some, vacationing can be about the whereabouts of the dream destination. For others, experience is what counts the most. We rarely hear much about choosing the “wrong” destination; yet we frequently hear or read about people’s reviews for the hotels they stayed in, or the experience they had with the locals. These experiences matter–largely because they are authentic and a miniature reflection of the destination of its own.
Amid the back-to-school season, many children that come into my office are sharing their exhilarating stories about summer vacation with their families. What they raved about most wasn’t simply their favorite activities; amusingly, it was how much they actually appreciated the use of orthokeratology lenses or soft contact lenses. Being able to see well and enjoy snorkeling and making sandcastles on the beach without dependence on glasses isn’t just appealing, but is a building block for a life-changing experience.
As I reflect on how this can translate into the realm of pediatric eyecare, I’ve been pondering what it means to have an average experience versus exceeding expectations. Genuinely, these two descriptions have often been hyped or somewhat misconstrued. While investing in the latest and top-notch gadgets and technology like optical biometry or corneal tomography is a great way to differentiate your practice, arguably, technology can’t speak for itself. How often do you hear patients comment on the fancy equipment or custom-made contact lenses that earned you a five-star review? It has happened; yet, it is not the norm.
‘Showing Up’
In reality, what matters the most is the mantra of showing up. It is uniquely significant and memorable for pediatric patients and myopia care at large. Showing up isn’t simply about being present alone; rather, it epitomizes the spirit of being attentive, engaged and involved wholeheartedly. To truly elevate patients’ experience, particularly for the young minds, practitioners need not make it glamorous, but strikingly relatable and memorable. Approaching myopia care at the vantage point of selling FDA-stamped myopia control spectacles or contact lenses as a commodity no longer suffices. How we as clinicians think, interpret and act matters more than ever. Without fostering trust and building emotional security with children in a new, unfamiliar environment, what practitioners perceive as “important” or “revolutionary” will eventually be diluted as “1-800 commodities” in parents’ eyes.
Contrary to most practitioners’ common understanding, building a successful myopia management program isn’t simply about addressing clinical symptoms or upgrading merchandise alone. Everything that children see, hear, smell, touch and most importantly—feel—in your office creates new neuronal growth of their brains and shapes their perception and experience about going to an eye doctor’s office. This will impact them today and throughout their developmental years. The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University found that early childhood experiences shape brain architecture by strengthening frequently used neural circuits.1 With that, sensory stimulation and emotion during childhood help develop greater intricacies of the brain pathways.2
Ecosystem in Myopia Care
This is what I call an ecosystem.
By definition, an ecosystem is a shared setting of animate species and inanimate elements with which they interact. Within an ecosystem, each species has its own habitat. Collectively, these habitats are tied and supported by relationships for long-term sustainability, thus creating diversity.
This ecosystem in myopia care encompasses children, adolescents, parents, clinicians, along with a wide array of fancy items, namely myopia control spectacles, OrthoK lenses, dual-focus or extended-depth-of-focus contact lenses and atropine medication. That said, what is often overlooked or underestimated is the five senses of activation and appreciation to cultivate trust and emotional security for children. Indeed, “showing up” in this ecosystem is a way of intentional presence that creates an inviting environment where young patients feel valued, heard and understood. It can be accomplished by being an active listener, a cheerleader and a “doer” for young patients. It isn’t just a concept, but a core element of a “now-or-never” experience for children.
Physical presence without emotional connectivity is a sterile and aimless practice. Paradoxically, it may trigger anxiety, confusion and aversion of any recommendation given for their eye health. A good example of this is if a doctor were to simply tell a child to wear glasses while they believe they see well and are asymptomatic. In the child’s mind, adherence becomes the biggest foe of freedom. All the rest would likely be out of their ears as soon as they leave the office. The cognitive oversight and emotional disconnect is likely one of the biggest impediments of building a fruitful pediatric myopia care ecosystem.
How Well Is Your Treatment Managed?
To help children feel safe and more willing to communicate their needs, worries or symptoms, clinicians should try to talk less and listen more. That is how we can develop empathy for how myopia can affect our patients’ long-term vision and eye health, and more importantly, their self-esteem, independence and overall well-being. This approach motivates interactive rather than dogmatic dialogue, enabling clinicians to gain more personable insights and how they play into each child’s unique situation.
Children who are more engaged and feel heard are more likely to adhere to treatment plans, express their concerns and participate in decision-making. Otherwise, resilience and adherence suffer. At times, what makes a treatment unsuccessful isn’t about the treatment itself. Rather, it is the mismanagement of the ecosystem and communication with patients and families.
Do not underestimate the merits of “showing up” in pediatric eyecare. Do not let the experience be forgettable. Emotional presence, connectivity and support weigh far more than the tangible items that myopia treatment entails. Above all, cultivating a healthy and fruitful ecosystem in myopia care can ultimately turn the tide against the stealthy move by myopia!
References
- Brain Architecture: An ongoing process that begins before birth – https://developingchild.harvard.edu/key-concept/brain-architecture/
- Early Experience Shapes the Brain for Life – https://www.brainfacts.org/thinking-sensing-and-behaving/brain-development/2019/early-experience-shapes-the-brain-for-life-092519
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