OD, FAAO, FSLS, ABO Diplomate, Americas Ambassador
WCO Myopia Management Navigator
WCO Myopia Management Navigator Ambassador, Dr. Ashley Wallace Tucker, was inspired to advocate for myopia management after seeing firsthand the overwhelming increase of young myopes in her practice.
She is passionate about finding solutions that will improve children’s vision—and part of that solution is leveraging the WCO Myopia Management Navigator. When asked to describe the Navigator in three words, Dr. Tucker states that it is equal parts comprehensive, practical, and concise.
The Navigator resource walks eye care professionals through the mitigation, measurement, and management of myopia, providing a step-by-step methodology on how to successfully incorporate myopia management into practice. For those unsure about how to get started, the Navigator provides probing questions to help guide meaningful conversations with young patients and their parents. These questions, which are found under the management tab, can help you identify which clinical intervention is the most suitable for the child based on the family’s lifestyle, budget, and time available.
“When it comes to myopia management, we know better. It’s time we perform better,” said Dr. Tucker. “With the increasing prevalence and severity of myopia across the globe, it’s imperative that we leverage the tools and resources that are available to us—like the Navigator—to do our part in making myopia management the standard of care in practice.”
Dr. Tucker’s advice to those new to the Navigator would be to set aside time to thoroughly explore all that it has to offer. In particular, she points to the guide’s “practical actions” feature within each section, which explores extra bits of information that can be used both clinically and as a handout for ongoing patient education, such as the Myopia Moments.
When she’s not working, Dr. Tucker loves to exercise and get outdoors, especially on her bike. Maximizing time spent outdoors during the day is one of the lifestyle factors included in the Navigator that helps slow the development and progression of myopia.
Explore the interactive and educational resource for eye care practitioners worldwide
When to wear it
Considerations
Shown to improve confidence and ability to participate in activities.
Typically more availability for astigmats.
No wearing time during waking hours.
Optical correction is still needed.
* Excluding children frequently engaged in water sports.
