To discuss how to raise public awareness about the eye health risks linked with childhood myopia, 33 eye care industry experts and leaders met in Denver in June as members of the newly formed Myopia Awareness Coalition (MAC). The ideas presented fell into three categories:

1. Direct to consumer awareness-building campaigns. Examples: Public relations efforts, school screenings and social media.
2. Government lobbying efforts.
3. Education to eye care professionals. This includes a greater focus at professional association meetings.

Attendees included representatives of: Alcon, All About Vision, American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control, Brien Holden Vision Institute, CareCredit, CooperVision/Paragon, Essilor, Euclid Systems, EyeMed, Jobson Medical Information, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Luxottica, Menicon Nevakar, Oculus, PECAA, PentaVision LLC, Precision Technology Services, Sanitas Consulting, Shamir, SynergEyes, University of Colorado Hospital, Vision Council of America, Visioneering Technologies, VSP and Welch Allyn.

Treehouse Eyes, a healthcare provider exclusively dedicated to slowing or stopping myopia’s progression in children, for life, oversaw the event. ■