EssilorLuxottica and the World Council of Optometry (WCO) have partnered to establish a global standard of care for presbyopia through evidence-based resources focusing on mitigation, measurement and management.

Aside from raising global awareness, the programme will feature insights from several international specialists in the field, said the organisations in a joint statement, to share the latest research and evidence via easily accessible educational materials. “There are many new options to address presbyopia and it is important to bring the information to eyecare practitioners so they can provide the best care for their patients,” said WCO president Dr Sandra Block. “Along with helping to ensure evidence-based techniques are used, the partnership will highlight the eye health changes that are ongoing as the patients grow older.”

The resolution defines the evidence-based standard of care as comprising of three main components that all eyecare practitioners should embrace towards addressing presbyopia:

• Mitigation — eyecare practitioners educating pre-presbyopes, during regular eye examinations on presbyopia and the aging eye and encouraging them to have regular eye examinations to determine signs and symptoms, correction options and importance of referrals and co-management.
• Measurement — eyecare practitioners evaluating the status of a patient during regular comprehensive vision and eye health examinations, using both subjective and objective techniques. 
• Management — eyecare practitioners addressing patients’ needs of today by correcting presbyopia and the aging eye, offering relevant interventions (e.g., contact lenses, spectacles, pharmaceuticals, surgical) to meet the individual visual and lifestyle and vision needs, for improved quality of life and better eye health today and into the future. 

It also advises eyecare practitioners to incorporate the standard of care for presbyopia and the aging eye within their practice that shifts from not only correcting vision but includes public education and early and frequent discussions that explain: what presbyopia is, including signs and symptoms to look for and associated factors relating to the aging eye; lifestyle factors that may impact presbyopia and the aging eye; the corrective measures that can be used to manage presbyopia and address the aging eye; and promote the use of health educational materials within practices that highlights the issue of presbyopia and the aging eye. 

Resources will be available on both WCO’s website and EssilorLuxottica’s learning platform Leonardo.