Clinical Scorecard: Transitioning From Clinician to CEO in the Myopia Management Practice

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Shift clinical mindset from treating diopters to tracking axial length for myopia management.
• Implement standardized testing including topography, auto-refraction, and axial length measurements for every child.
• Engage the entire clinical team in myopia management education and patient communication.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Perform comprehensive vision plan exams including topography, auto-refraction, and axial length measurements for all pediatric patients.
• Use axial length and oculometric calculators to visually demonstrate potential myopia progression to parents.

Management

• Treat myopia as a medical condition requiring intervention rather than a simple refractive error.
• Offer treatment options such as low-dose atropine, orthokeratology (ortho-k), soft contact lenses, or myopia control spectacles.
• Ensure all decision-making caregivers are present or fully informed before initiating treatment.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Track axial length changes over time to assess treatment efficacy and progression risk.

Risks

• Avoid prejudging parental interest or financial status to ensure equitable access to myopia management.
• Recognize that myopia progression untreated can lead to higher risk of ocular complications.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Pediatric patients with myopia or at risk of progression

Presenting clear visual endpoints and involving caregivers in decision-making improves treatment acceptance and adherence.

Clinical Best Practices

• Adopt a leadership mindset embracing calculated risks and business growth alongside clinical care.
• Train dedicated staff members as ortho-k trainers or myopia coordinators to support patient education and management.
• Use emotional intelligence during patient encounters to build trust and foster long-term treatment commitment.
• Create a child-friendly environment, exemplified by initiatives like a 'wall of kids' to signal specialization in myopia care.
• View every patient encounter as an opportunity to engage and educate, following the motto 'every patient, every time, every encounter.'

References

• Euclid Support for Content