BANGKOK—Hoya Vision Care and the International Myopia Institute announced a partnership to promote advocacy and educational efforts in the global fight to address and manage myopia. The goals of the enhanced relationship are to raise awareness about myopia and the importance of practicing myopia management with an evidence-based approach and to advance research in the myopia field, collaborate on improving standards of care in myopia management and inform and educate key stakeholders on myopia prevention, treatment and management, the two groups said in a joint statement.

As an official platinum sponsor, Hoya will have an industry seat at the IMI Board Meeting along with other senior leaders and experts in the field of myopia to bring new ideas and share knowledge around myopia management. The two entities will collaborate to create additional multimedia content including summary videos for each published IMI whitepaper in an exclusive sponsorship to disseminate the leading insights and knowledge developed through the collaborative effort of global experts. The multimedia content will be shared through key communication channels including IMI’s website and Hoya learning modules for global eyecare professionals.

Myopia is a growing global health concern with industry experts predicting nearly 50 percent of the world’s population to be impacted by 2050. “This strategic partnership with the renowned International Myopia Institute aligns with one of Hoya Vision Care’s core missions to share relevant information, proven research and innovative solutions with the eyecare community as we work collaboratively to address the growing problem of global myopia,” said Pascal Blaser, global medical affairs manager myopia at Hoya Vision Care.

IMI chair, professor Serge Resnikoff said, “IMI welcomes Hoya onboard. There still remains much to do in raising myopia awareness and encouraging the practice of evidence-based myopia management among eyecare practitioners. The eyecare profession plays a dominant role to educate the general public and make them aware of the impact of this progressive eye disease and the available management approaches.

"Early prevention and treatment are the keys to manage this ocular condition,” We look forward to working with Hoya in sharing the knowledge and latest findings in the myopia field globally,” Resnikoff added.