Orthokeratology in Contemporary Myopia Management: Efficacy, Combinations, and Care Pathways
Leader of the learning and development team
The professional ODs Society
Dr Carmen Abesamis-Dichoso pioneered orthokeratology practice in the Philippines in 2003 and has since made it a primary modality in pediatric myopia management. She received a World Council of Optometry Service Award (2022) and was named Outstanding Optometrist of the Year (2017).
She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, British Contact Lens Association, and International Association of Contact Lens Educators. Currently, Dr Carmen leads the learning and development team of the professional ODs Society.
Over the past decade, myopia management has expanded from pharmacologic approaches to optical interventions. Orthokeratology (OK) has emerged as a key modality, with multiple lens designs demonstrating clinically meaningful reductions in myopia progression in children.
This presentation synthesizes evidence from randomized trials and meta-analyses to contextualize the efficacy of OK relative to other interventions, including combinations with atropine. Practical guidance will be provided on patient selection, fitting considerations, and communication strategies for durable partnerships with families.
Myopia management protocol: from research to practice
Founder, Kangaroo Eye Clinics, Shenzhen, China
Dr. Daniel Yu Cui received his MBBS from Wenzhou Medical University and completed his ophthalmic residency in Shanghai. He holds a Master’s in Clinical Optometry from Pacific University (USA) and a PhD from the University of New South Wales (Australia).
He has dedicated his career to establishing the Brien Holden Vision Institute in China and leading various public health programs. In 2020, he established Kangaroo Vision Clinic in Shenzhen. Dr. Cui is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and has over 20 years of experience in ophthalmic research, education, and hospital management.
Myopia management is currently one of the most critical clinical practices in China. The protocol at Kangaroo Eye Clinics (KEC) is grounded in evidence-based medical principles and adopts a comprehensive approach addressing lifelong vision care needs.
Key components include genetic screening, risk assessment, ocular biometric measurements, and personalized management plans. The KEC protocol aims to transform traditional pediatric optometry by enabling precise treatment strategies and improving the quality of life for children with myopia.
Official Douyin Local Life Service Provider | Douyin Empowerment Expert for the Eyewear Industry
(抖音本地生活官方服务商 | 眼镜行业抖音官方赋能者)
As an Official Douyin Local Life Service Provider (“Douyin Merchant Growth Advocate”) and the founder of Jing Yuanbao Business Academy, I am a seasoned practitioner and evangelist dedicated to the digital transformation of the eyewear industry, bridging platform resources with brick-and-mortar businesses.
She Specializes in solving core challenges for eyewear retailers within the Douyin Local Life landscape. This includes driving online traffic and in-store conversion, implementing scenario-based marketing, navigating platform regulations, formulating data-driven business strategies, and competing effectively in the group-buy marketplace. My work is centered on empowering physical stores to ignite new growth engines in the digital era.
核心身份：抖音本地生活官方服务商（抖音来客助推官）、镜元宝商学院创始人。深耕眼镜行业数字化转型，是连接平台资源与实体行业的资深实践者与布道者。 核心专长：专注于为眼镜门店解决在抖音本地生活赛道中的核心痛点，包括线上流量获取与到店转化、场景化营销、平台规则应用、数据化经营策略制定，以及应对团购竞争等实战问题，助力实体门店在数字时代激活增长新引擎。
Optometric care is undergoing rapid transformation driven by digital engagement, changing patient expectations, and the growing demand for preventive eye health services. This presentation introduces The Growth Code, which addresses how practices can bridge the gap between digital awareness and meaningful in-person clinical experiences. The EPIC Blueprint then outlines a practical four-step framework for building the modern infrastructure required for sustainable optometric care. The session further explores the shift from a traditional product-focused model toward managing lifelong visual wellness, described as The Value Evolution. Finally, the concept of the Flywheel Effect demonstrates how integrated clinical excellence, patient experience, and strategic innovation can create a self-reinforcing ecosystem that supports long-term patient outcomes and practice growth.
随着数字化参与度的提升、患者期望的变化以及对预防性眼健康服务需求的增加，验光行业正经历快速转型。本报告提出 “增长密码”（The Growth Code），探讨如何弥合数字认知与面对面临床服务之间的差距。随后介绍 “EPIC蓝图”（The EPIC Blueprint），作为建立现代验光服务新基础设施的四步实践框架。报告进一步阐述从以产品销售为中心的传统模式，转向以终身视觉健康管理为核心的战略转变，即 “价值进化”（The Value Evolution）。最后，通过 “飞轮效应”（The Flywheel Effect） 展示如何通过整合临床卓越、患者体验与战略创新，构建能够持续强化患者结局与机构成长的自我驱动型眼健康生态系统
Eyes to the Future
PhD Hon DSc BSc(Hons) FCOptom DipTp(IP) FEAOO
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom
President, World Council of Optometry
Cindy Tromans is a Consultant Optometrist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Honorary Clinical Lecturer in the University Department of Ophthalmology, University of Manchester. She currently works within the Emergency Eye Department and specialty contact lens clinics. Cindy has held a number of national roles which include President and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the College of Optometrists UK. She is currently President of the World Council of Optometry and is the Immediate Past President of the European Council of Optometry and Optics.
She was awarded Life Fellowship of the College of Optometrists and an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Aston University in 2019 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the profession of optometry.
In 2019 the World Health Organisation published the World Report on Vision which sets out the scale of worldwide visual impairment and the significant inequities that exist with access to vision care. In this presentation I will cover the highlights of the report and what conditions can be effectively managed in primary care. I will discuss the opportunities and challenges for delivering primary care optometry including recognition and legislation of optometry as an autonomous primary health care profession. Future perspectives will include integrated eye and the impact of digital health on primary eye care delivery.
Ocular health and road safety in older adults
Joanne Wood PhD, DSc(hon), MCOptom, FAAO, FARVO, Centre for Vision and Eye Research, Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane,
Professor Joanne Wood is from the Centre for Vision and Eye Research, Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. Joanne has an international reputation for her research which focuses on the impact of vision impairment and ageing on functional outcomes which has made a significant contribution to understanding how vision impairment affects driving performance, identifying risk factors for unsafe older drivers and on the factors affecting pedestrian and cyclist visibility at night-time.
Most countries set visual standards for driving eligibility, with visual acuity and visual fields being the most common worldwide. However, there is considerable debate regarding which aspects of visual function are most important for safe driving, the level of visual function at which driving performance and safety are impaired and how ageing and different eye diseases and vision impairments impact upon driving performance and safety. This presentation will provide a current and comprehensive overview of the current literature in the area and discuss the implications for optometrists assessing and managing patients with respect to driving and providing relevant advice.
Myopia Control And Optical Defocus - From Laboratory Research To Clinical Study
Visiting Chair Professor of Experimental Optometry
School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Professor Chi-ho To obtained his degree in Optometry from The Hong Kong Polytechnic and later earned his PhD from the University of Wales, College of Cardiff, United Kingdom. Upon returning to The Hong Kong Polytechnic, he began his academic career as a Lecturer and subsequently advanced to Chair Professor of Experimental Optometry. He currently serves as Visiting Chair Professor of Experimental Optometry at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and is the Founding Director and Senior Advisor of the Centre for Vision and Eye Research (CEVR) at the Hong Kong Science Park.
Professor To’s research focuses on elucidating the pathogenesis and underlying mechanisms of myopia and glaucoma. He is a co-inventor of both the Defocus Incorporated Soft Contact (DISC) lens and the Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) lens, two landmark innovations in myopia control. The DISC lens was awarded the Grand Prize and Gold Medal with Jury’s Commendation at the 39th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in 2011. The DIMS lens received the Grand Prize, Grand Award, and Gold Medal, along with the Congratulations of the Jury, at the 46th International Exhibition in 2018.
Professor To has received a number of accolades, including the InnoStars Award (Hong Kong, 2021) and the Woodruff Distinguished Lecture Award from the University of Waterloo (2023). He was also named Outstanding Alumnus of the School, Faculty, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2023. His patented defocus lens technology has had a global impact, benefiting millions of individuals with myopia in more than 30 countries worldwide.
Eye growth is a visually guided process, and optical defocus has been shown to influence eye growth in young animals. Our research team attempted to examine whether optical defocus can also modulate human eye growth. As a proof-of-concept study, we incorporated myopic defocus in a special contact lens (Defocus Incorporated Soft Contact Lens – DISC) and conducted a myopia control clinical study with young children in Hong Kong. The results showed that DISC can significantly retard myopic eye growth in these children.
We went on to develop the first specialty ophthalmic lenses with optical defocus (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments, DIMS) and showed that it also effectively slowed down eye growth clinically by around 60%. Since then, a number of myopia control ophthalmic lenses using optical defocus have been introduced, which also showed significant and sustained myopia control effects.
There were also attempts to combine defocus treatment with atropine or red-light therapy, which have yielded additive control effects. While optical myopic defocus is accepted as an effective method for controlling clinical myopia, how the retina decodes the defocus remains unclear and awaits further investigations.
Good news! Contact lens wear is intrinsically inflammatory
DSc PhD BScOptom FAAO(Dip CCLRT) FCCLSA FACO
Nathan Efron is currently Emeritus Professor in the School of Optometry and Vision Science at the Queensland University of Technology; Editor of the journal Clinical and Experimental Optometry; and Immediate Past-President of the International Society for Contact Lens Research. He lectures extensively world-wide, particularly in the field of the ocular response to contact lens wear, and has published over 1,100 papers and has written/edited 7 books that have been published in a total of 24 editions and foreign translations.
Professor Efron has won numerous international awards, including being made a Companion of the Order of Australia, which is Australia’s highest civilian honour, for contributions to optometry and vision science.
Eyecare practitioners typically associate the notion of ocular inflammation during contact lens wear with serious complications such as microbial keratitis. However, more subtle mechanisms may be at play. In this presentation, Professor Efron will try and answer a question that has haunted him throughout his career – Is contact lens wear intrinsically inflammatory? The answer this question is approached by testing whether uncomplicated contact lens wear meets the clinical definition of inflammation (heat, redness, swelling, pain and loss of function) and the sub-clinical definition of inflammation (cytological changes and inflammatory mediator release). It is demonstrated that all of these criteria are met, meaning that contact lens wear is indeed inflammatory. And now for the good news: consideration of both classical and contemporary thinking about the role of inflammation in the human body leads to the perhaps surprising conclusion that the chronic, subclinical inflammatory status of the anterior eye (“parainflammation”) during contact lens wear is a positive phenomenon that reflects an upregulation of the immune system, in a non-damaging way, so that it is in a state of ‘heightened alert’, ready to ward off any extrinsic noxious challenge. The clinical implications of parainflammation are discussed.
Optometric Challenges in Refractive Surgery
Vice Dean of the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Director of the National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University
MD, OD, Professor, Chief Physician, PhD Supervisor, Inaugural National Outstanding Young Physician Awardee, Visiting Scholar of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (University of Miami). Graduated from the New England College of Optometry, USA. Vice Dean of the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University. Director of the National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University.
Specialized in refractive surgeries for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, and other complex refractive errors, having treated tens of thousands of patients. Lead over 20 national and provincial research projects, published more than 100 papers, and contributed to over 20 textbooks and academic works.
Refractive surgery has become an important approach for correcting myopia and improving visual quality, yet optimal postoperative outcomes do not depend solely on the surgical procedure itself. Achieving stable and high-quality visual results requires incorporating optometry throughout the entire perioperative period.
Preoperatively, comprehensive optometric examinations and standardized refraction provide the foundation for defining treatment targets, assessing risks, and developing individualized plans. Intraoperatively, precise centration and optimized parameter selection help minimize the induction of higher-order aberrations, thereby improving functional vision. Postoperatively, continuous attention should be given to changes in accommodative status, with timely identification and management of undercorrection/overcorrection and refractive regression.
Decoding "Lazy Eyes": How Meridional Anisotropies Shape Children Visual Development
Senior consultant at IGARD
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Alexandra Hospital
Dr Carmen Abesamis-Dichoso pioneered orthokeratology practice in the Philippines in 2003 and has since made it a primary modality in pediatric myopia management. She received a World Council of Optometry Service Award (2022) and was named Outstanding Optometrist of the Year (2017).
She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, British Contact Lens Association, and International Association of Contact Lens Educators. Currently, Dr Carmen leads the learning and development team of the professional ODs Society.
Dr. Yap Tiong Peng’s expertise is in vision therapy, amblyopia treatment and neuro optometric rehabilitation. He completed his clinical fellowships in the USA and Australia, including being awarded a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), Fellow of the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (FACBO), and Fellow of Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation in both clinical and academic capacities (FOVDR & FOVDR-A).
His academic qualifications include an MSc and PhD in children's vision development from the University of New South Wales (Australia).
Qualified since 1998, he received his basic optometry training from the University of Manchester (BSc Honours), and he is a Member of the British College of Optometrists (MCOptom).
Incomitant Strabismus: Practical Approaches to Diagnosis and Management
Optometrist, Orthoptist, Licensed Pharmacist
Founding Dean, College of Optometry, LPU–St. Cabrini School of Health Sciences
Dr. Benita Soltura is a distinguished optometrist, orthoptist, and licensed pharmacist with more than four decades of combined professional experience. She received her clinical training in Orthoptics, Pediatric Optometry, and Binocular Vision in the Philippines under a program patterned after the British Orthoptic Society’s curriculum, making her one of the few locally trained specialists in this field. Her academic journey bridges both pharmacy and optometry, having earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and pursued postgraduate training in Health Policy Studies at the University of the Philippines. She later became Program Chair for Pharmacy and served as the founding Dean of the College of Optometry at LPU–St. Cabrini School of Health Sciences. She has also been a member of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Technical Panel for Optometry Education.
Dr. Soltura is a past president of the Optometric Association of the Philippines and a founding fellow of both the Philippine Pediatric Optometry & Orthoptic Society and the Philippine College of Optometrists. An international presenter and published researcher, her work spans clinical practice, public health, and education, with a strong commitment to blindness prevention, ocular nutrition as a complementary management approach, and vision care advocacy.
Incomitant strabismus presents unique diagnostic and management challenges for eye care professionals. Unlike concomitant deviations, its variable misalignment across different gaze positions requires careful clinical evaluation and a tailored approach to treatment. This session will provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of practical strategies in diagnosing and managing incomitant strabismus, drawing from clinical experience and orthoptic principles. Key topics include recognizing clinical signs, differentiating incomitant from concomitant deviations, and applying appropriate diagnostic techniques to assess ocular motility. Management approaches, ranging from prisms and orthoptic exercises to referral for surgical options, will be discussed with emphasis on real-world applicability in diverse clinical settings.
Color Vision Deficiency – Diagnosis and Management
Vice President, Asian Pacific Council of Optometry (APCO)
School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr. Helen Eng is an optometrist from the University of Montreal (Canada) but has been working in Hong Kong for the past 25 years. She obtained her fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry and has been active among the Hong Kong optometric profession especially with the Hong Kong Academy of Orthokeratology (HKAOK). She is currently the vice president of the Asian Pacific Council of Optometry (APCO).
She currently works at the School of Optometry at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in the Vision Rehabilitation Clinic. Her main specialty is in low vision and AI assistive technology with a side interest in occupational vision including managing color vision deficiencies.
Color vision deficiency (CVD) affects approximately 8% of males and 0.5% of females, significantly impacting activities of daily activities (ADL) and limiting career opportunities. This case-sharing session aims to provide optometrists with an updated overview of modern clinical tools and technologies for the diagnosis and management of CVD. The session will review traditional and contemporary diagnostic methods, from the Handy-Rand-Ritter (HRR) test to the advanced mosaic color vision tests.
Recent advancements in CVD management include the application of specialized tinted filters, customized tinted contact lenses and innovative digital technology for enhancing color discrimination and improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as AI apps and AI-powered smart glasses offers alternative solutions for real-time color identification and improved accessibility with proper usage.
This update is designed to equip practitioners with the latest knowledge and resources for managing CVD.
Developmental Dyslexia and Optometric Management
Assistant Professor, School of Optometry
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)
Dr. Jeffrey Leung is an Assistant Professor at the School of Optometry at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). He contributes his expertise to the School’s specialty areas of high myopia and pediatric care and teaches Clinical Binocular Vision to undergraduate optometry students.
His commitment to education has been recognized with several prestigious honors, including the University Grants Committee (UGC) Teaching Award for Early Career Faculty Members, the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences’ Faculty Award in Teaching, and the School of Optometry’s Teaching Excellence Award.
Dr. Leung’s research program is dedicated to advancing children’s vision, with a focus on myopia control, novel amblyopia treatments, and visual cognitive function in reading disability.
Developmental dyslexia is a specific learning disability characterized by persistent difficulties in accurate and/or fluent word recognition and decoding abilities. As one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders (7.1% globally), developmental dyslexia can have lifelong impacts on academic achievement and self-esteem if not properly identified and supported. Phonological awareness deficits have long been proposed as the core cause of developmental dyslexia. However, recent studies indicate that the etiology is more multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of cognitive and sensory processing challenges. Among these, vision-related anomalies have been extensively studied. Recently, the visual magnocellular deficit hypothesis posits that dysfunction in the pathway responsible for processing rapid visual and temporal information contributes to reading difficulties. This presentation will discuss the current understanding of developmental dyslexia, provide an update on associated vision-related problems, and explore the critical role of optometry in the multidisciplinary assessment and management of this complex developmental issue.
We All Age, We All Need Near Vision – Presbyopia Market Never Fades
PhD, MOptom, FAAO, FIALCE
Department of Optometry & Vision Science, Daegu Catholic University, Korea
Dr Byoung-Sun Chu graduated in the department of optometry from Daejeon Health Science College, Korea. He also received his master degree from University of New South Wales, Sydney and gained a PhD degree at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry since 2009 and a Fellow of International Association of Contact Lens Educators. His research experience included visual function and driving, presbyopic contact lenses. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Optometry and Vision Science at the Daegu Catholic University, Korea and served for the Koran Optometric Association for several years. He was a key member for organizing Asia Pacific Council of Optometry and hosted Asia Cornea and Contact Lens Conference in Korea. He was also professional consultant for global and domestic companies.
With rapid global population aging, the prevalence of presbyopia is increasing at an unprecedented rate, making it the most sustainable vision care markets worldwide. This talk explores presbyopia not merely as a clinical condition, but as a long-term and continuously expanding market.
The talk reviews global epidemiological trends and analyzes consumer behavior patterns associated with near vision correction, including spectacles, contact lenses, and surgical options. It also highlights the collaboration between Korean optometrists and the optical industry. Ultimately, this presentation emphasizes that presbyopia care represents a unique intersection between public health responsibility and sustainable business opportunity.
Vision Problems and Solutions
BAppSc(Optom)Hons, FACBO
Meredith Graham graduated Bachelor Applied Science (Optometry) at the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane Australia, in 1997 with Honours. She has worked in both corporate and independent optometry practices. Together with her husband, Paul Graham (also an Optometrist), she runs their Gold Coast practice.
Meredith became a Fellow of the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) in 2011. Meredith’s professional interests include: paediatric vision care, vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation.
Meredith enjoys teaching and educating others about the importance of vision. She regular speaks at schools and for community groups, as well as to her peers. She has served as a faculty member teaching the OEPF curriculum courses. In 2013 she was awarded the ACBO President’s award for contribution to behavioural optometry and in 2022 she was awarded the Graham Peachey award for contribution to education by ACBO.
Meredith has volunteered numerous times for AHHA (Australian Health Humanitarian Aid, previously the Vietnam Vision Project), providing optometric pre-operative care for cataract surgery in Vietnam. She joined Rotary International in 2006, and whilst serving, her favourite role was as District Chair of the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), helping senior secondary students to discover emerging careers in science. Both her and her husband Paul, were awarded Rotary Paul Harris fellowships in 2012.
Successful Vision Therapy
BAppSc(Optom) Hons, FCOVD
Paul Graham is an optometrist who has pursued a career in managing more complex cases. He has 30 years of experience in neuro-optometric care, vision therapy, complex contact lens fitting, myopia management and paediatric optometry.
He has been involved in continuing education for optometrists for most of his career with a particular focus on functional vision care. He believes that optometrists have an immense opportunity to change lives in their patients through solving their accommodation and binocular vision dysfunctions.