JACKSONVILLE, Fla. and SANTA ANA, Calif.—Johnson & Johnson Vision has named Dr. Chandra Mickles, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, to the newly created position of North America professional education lead, myopia, effective July 26. Dr. Mickles is a recognized leader in eyecare and has had a career dedicated to professional education, patient care, and research in contact lenses, according to J&J Vision. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and Scleral Lens Education Society and also serves on the American Optometric Association (AOA) Contact Lens and Cornea Council and the National Optometric Association board of directors.

Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson Vision, Dr. Mickles had a very successful career in academia and has been recognized by national optometric institutions and organizations for the important role she played in contact lens education, the company noted.
 
In this new position, Dr. Mickles will work to further strengthen Johnson & Johnson Vision’s education efforts to empower and train professionals about myopia, as well as create new ways of engaging customers through leadership and science. Dr. Mickles will be joining a motivated team of innovators and advocates who are all working to better understand this disease while partnering to find solutions.
 
“Myopia is sometimes called ‘nearsightedness’ but it is so much more,” Mickles said. “Johnson & Johnson Vision is collaboratively advancing the next generation of science, research and development of new solutions with the potential to transform the standards of care in myopia and I am beyond excited to be a part of the efforts and engagements to help drive public awareness and professional education to address the needs of patients.”
 
The appointment follows the recent news of J&J Vision announcing the new Acuvue Abiliti brand for future products and services to help parents and eyecare providers address the growing prevalence and progression of myopia in children, as VMAIL reported, as well as a global strategic collaboration with Menicon, a leading manufacturer of innovative contact lenses, as part of a broader commitment from J&J Vision to lead with science and help reshape the future of myopia and to bring forward a novel portfolio of products and services to manage the progression of myopia in children, as VMAIL reported.
 
Subsequently, in May, J&J Vision said the FDA approved Acuvue Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses as the first and only FDA-approved orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lens for the management of myopia. The lens, expected to launch by the end of 2021, as VMAIL reported.