CRU 2025: Managing myopia today to prevent vision loss tomorrow

At the CRU Eye Symposium, Rachelle Lin, OD, FAAO, associate professor at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University, joined Andrew S. Morgenstern, OD, FAAO, FNAP, to deliver a comprehensive overview of both clinical guidelines and long-term ocular risks associated with myopia. The CRU Eye Symposium took place March 28 to 30, 2025, in Napa Valley, California.

Morgenstern opened the session by highlighting the updated American Optometric Association (AOA) guidelines on myopia, which he codeveloped with a team of experts. These guidelines, now available on the AOA website, provide structured recommendations to help clinicians implement effective myopia management strategies in practice.

Lin’s portion of the talk focused on the retinal and systemic implications of myopia. She emphasized that even low levels of myopia can significantly elevate the risk of sight-threatening conditions such as myopic macular degeneration, retinal detachment, posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataracts, and open-angle glaucoma. These risks escalate with increasing myopic severity, underscoring the critical importance of early intervention and axial length control.

A key topic in Lin’s presentation was identifying and managing pediatric patients who are trending toward high myopia. She referenced recent studies indicating that children under age 10 who are projected to reach -6.00 D or higher—whether spherical or cylindrical—should be considered high-risk. These patients may face not only ocular complications but also potential systemic associations, including inherited retinal dystrophies, connective tissue disorders, and complications from prematurity, such as retinopathy of prematurity. Such complex profiles require optometrists to maintain a high index of suspicion and consider multidisciplinary referrals when appropriate.

Lin concluded by acknowledging the vital work of optometrists who are deeply engaged in myopia management. While preventing future pathology often goes unrecognized by patients, she emphasized that the long-term impact is profound. As a low-vision practitioner, she frequently sees the devastating outcomes of unmanaged myopia and affirmed that effective myopia control, especially in managing axial elongation, plays a crucial role in preserving vision and quality of life.