Major Forces Team up to Shape Myopia Management of the Future
Myopia management: ZEISS innovations to be guided by international expert committee
For more than 15 years, ZEISS has been engaged in research and development as well as practice in myopia management. ZEISS is now strengthening its cooperation with practitioners, academic and clinical institutions by forming an advisory board, a think-tank of leading experts whose scientific and practical knowledge supports further work on innovations in myopia management.
- A holistic approach to a global phenomenon
- Board composition: diversity and expertise
- Overview advisory board members
- Prof Padmaja Sankaridurg
Aalen / Sydney, Germany / Australia | 3 April 2024 | ZEISS Vision Care
Remark: The picture and title of Dr Sotiris Plainis was changed after publication on 5 April 2024.
Progressive myopia is far from being fully understood. To shape the myopia management of the future, a strong network that brings together a variety of perspectives from science, development and practice is needed. ZEISS is dedicated to finding effective, needs-based solutions for the management of progressive and high myopia. In order to integrate the diversity of relevant scientific perspectives for basic and application-oriented research even more closely into its innovation processes, ZEISS has moved forward to establish a Myopia Advisory Board, comprising experts from clinical practice, academia and the business world who will independently assess the developments at ZEISS and advise the company on various aspects related to myopia management.
A holistic approach to a global phenomenon
"Myopia is such an important issue that we cannot view it solely from one viewpoint, i.e., for example, from the point of view of a manufacturer or that of a scientist. The condition starts commonly in children but affects them all through their formative years, their educational and professional careers and well beyond into old age for their entire life. Therefore, we have a particular responsibility and the need to be open to a range of perspectives to develop the best possible solution for all those affected," says Prof Padmaja Sankaridurg, Head of Global Myopia Management at ZEISS Vision Care. The newly formed ZEISS Myopia Advisory Board offers just that: a holistic view of myopia. "The independent experts come in from their strength and knowledge to provide us with an unbiased opinion on our myopia strategy and guide us to provide the best solution for each myope."
The board members are from across industry, science and/or clinical practice in optometry or ophthalmology. This combination of expertise enables ZEISS to incorporate a wide range of myopia management aspects into business-relevant decisions. Ultimately, the aim is to offer holistic solutions that consider myopes of all ages. “They also bring in global and regional perspectives. Millions are affected worldwide and especially in Asia but in addition to this regional variation in prevalence, there are regional variations in practice patterns," Sankaridurg continued.
Board composition: diversity and expertise
"Our advisory board members come from a range of specialist areas from across the world and have generously donated their time and expertise to support this important work," says Sankaridurg. "We now have a diverse team of global experts supporting us in our evidence-based myopia work."
The ZEISS Myopia Advisory Board was established in 2023 and will meet at regular intervals. Prof Sankaridurg is the Chair of the board and manages the current network of 14 experts and is supported by Prof Craig Woods who is the Secretary of the board.
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