Optometry is on the cusp of an important and exciting paradigm shift. As the industry becomes dominantly female and myopia management is expected to become the new standard of care. Female optometrists who do ortho-k and myopia control are now in a critical position of leadership to change our industry! Matthew Herzberg has on three amazing female optometrists from each generation (Boomer, Gen-X, and Millennial) Caroline Cauchi OD FIAOMC, Cheryl Chapman OD FIAOMC, and Leah Johnson OD, FAAO, FSLS to speak directly to female optometrists on why they should take up myopia management and be a part of this important inflection point in our industry.
Want to learn how to do ortho-K? Enroll NOW in the AAOMC Virtual Boot Camp for Newcomers https://www.orthokmeeting.com/
BECOME AN AAOMC MEMBER: https://aaomc.org
CAROLINE GUERRERO CAUCHI, OD, FIAOMC Dr. Guerrero Cauchi pursued the study of psychology during her university education. She worked as a therapist of multiply challenged children to put herself through school. During that time, she co-authored a book (Effective Approaches) designed to train teachers to work with children having disabilities. Her work with partially sighted children caused her to investigate a new career path — optometry. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry, she opened her private practice. This has allowed her to use her skills in psychology, child development, and human behavior to create a caring comfortable eye care environment for people of all ages — especially kids. In 2004 her interest in pediatric care led her to the field of orthokeratology. She spent the next three years becoming an expert in the field and in 2007 was grated the designation FIAO (Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control). Just one short year later, the Academy asked her to sit on the Board of Directors. (link to IAOMC). As a member of the Board, she is responsible for setting care policy, educating doctors new to orthoK and is the Chair of Fellowship for 6 international sections of the Academy.
CHERYL CHAPMAN OD FIAOMC Dr. Cheryl Chapman is a graduate of the University of Houston College of Optometry and has an undergraduate degree from Creighton University. She is a Diplomate with the American Board of Optometry, achieving extensive Board Certification and completing more than 50 hours of continuing education (above and beyond the normal state requirement, which is 22 hours per year). She is also a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Chapman is proud to bring this extra level of ongoing education to her patients. Dr. Chapman has instituted a full-scope myopia management clinic within her practice and works tirelessly to spread myopia management knowledge. In addition to working one-on-one with doctors to implement practice protocols, she lectures within the optometric community as well as to local pediatricians and ophthalmologists. Serving as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry, Dr. Chapman enjoys working closely in training 4th year extern students. Other areas of specialty include managing eye diseases such as: severe dry eye, keratoconus, and computer vision syndrome. Dr. Chapman is a specialist in the fitting of specialty contact lenses such as orthokeratology, scleral lenses and hybrid lenses. In 2010, Dr. Chapman was awarded the Dr. Charles Seeger Memorial Award from the Nebraska Optometric Association for Young Optometrist of the Year. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and six children.
LEAH JOHNSON OD, FAAO, FSLS Dr. Leah Johnson is the Director of Professional Affairs for CooperVision Specialty EyeCare, Americas. She is responsible for the development and implementation of clinical and educational programs supporting current and future eye care practitioners across the Americas and China. She is a graduate of the University of Houston, College of Optometry where she also completed a post-doctorate fellowship in Cornea & Contact Lens. Afterwards, she practiced in Houston, Texas with a concentration in specialty contact lenses. She currently serves at the University of Houston, College of Optometry as clinical adjunct faculty, focusing on Myopia Management Services. Dr. Johnson is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the Scleral Lens Education Society. Dr. Johnson has spent extensive time in China, which contains the highest numbers of myopic children. There she works collectively with key opinion leaders and eyecare professionals to bring a better understanding of myopia and supports selecting the best treatment options that enhance patient outcomes and care.
