Pitfalls, Accessibility in Treatment Are Still Evolving in Myopia

There are still some pitfalls associated with myopia treatment in children, according to Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, cofounder of West Broward Eye in Tamarac, Florida. Rhue discussed these pitfalls and the accessibility of treatment for myopia at the Southeastern Educational Congress of Optometry (SECO) 2025 meeting, held from February 27 to March 2, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.

This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity; captions were auto-generated.

Transcript

What are some pitfalls to avoid regarding myopia?

Pitfalls to avoid is mommy guilt, daddy guilt, that should not exist. As you're presenting the options, make sure that you're presenting it with the science backed a little bit. Keep it short and concise. The pitfalls are, there's really not any. I think the pitfalls [are] really not doing it. Not every kid is going to be that fast progressor, and so it's finding out the ones that are, implementing that early, and then allowing them to really live their best life.

I think one of the pitfalls actually is going to be when we get glasses in the US. Great option. But I really see that going to become a something that goes with atropine. It's going to be a dual treatment that you're going to need. You’ve got to speak to the parents and the patients. I was that young kid. I hated my glasses. And you have to advocate for them. So don't just think [of] spectacles as this end all be all, "Great, we're going to put the kids in glasses." I think that's going to be a really big pitfall that we're going to have to watch out for.

How accessible is treatment for myopia?

I think it's, you have to know. You have money to do all these other things. You have money for orthodontia; so it's just giving the patients the ability to afford it over time. You can do things like CareCredit, Sunbit, all the things that you want to do to still get it. One thing to remember is, the parents will figure it out if they want to. But you are not charging for that piece of plastic. A orthodontist is not charging for that piece of plastic. They're charging you for their expertise. That's what you need to remember when you're practicing myopia management. That's why they're paying you. This is for your expertise, not for the little piece of plastic or for the glasses.