#14 Jeff Walline, OD, and Myopia Control

Critical Issues in Eyecare: An MD/OD Conversation

For this episode of Critical Issues in Eyecare: An MD/OD Conversation, we feature a conversation with one of the world's experts in myopia control, Dr. Jeff Waline from The Ohio State University. The myopia epidemic is an an incredibly hot topic in vision care. And we are lucky to have had this opportunity to talk to Dr. Walline. These are some of the questions that hosts Nate Bonilla-Warford, OD and Mitchel Jackson, MD, ask him 1. Some doctors feel that the 'myopia epidemic' is due to increased detection of myopia. What evidence do you share with them to persuade them that there is an increase in myopia? 2. What are the causes of the this increase? 3. What are the most effective methods of myopia control? Which is most commonly employed? 4. What forms of myopia control fair the best in terms of rebound after cessation of treatment? 5. How beneficial is myopia control if the child still has to wear glasses or contact lenses to be able to see? 6. Do you anticipate sending kids for collagen crosslinking once FDA approved? 7. What's in the works regarding the study of soft multifocal contacts for myopia control? What are some research/papers that will be coming out on this topic? About Dr. Walline: Jeffrey J. Walline, OD PhD received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry in 1996, and he received a Master’s degree in Physiological Optics from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 1998. He completed a PhD degree in Vision Science from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2002. Dr. Walline has conducted several pediatric contact lens studies to evaluate the effect of contact lens wear on myopia progression and children's self-perceptions. Dr. Walline is the Chair of the Bifocal Lenses In Nearsighted Kids (BLINK) Study, a multicenter randomized clinical trial enrolling nearly 300 children that is sponsored by the National Eye Institute. He also teaches Vision of Children and Specialty Contact Lenses to third year optometry students. Dr. Walline also founded the Kids Contact Lens Clinic at the Ohio State University College of Optometry. He examines patients and provides contact lens care and myopia control to young children.