CooperVision Becomes Global Patron of International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

Collaboration Furthers IAPB Mission of Achieving Universal Access to Eye Health; Increases Attention of Growing Global Prevalence and Severity of Myopia in Children

CooperVision has become a Global Patron of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). The company becomes part of a select group of leaders including Allergan, Bayer, Novartis and Standard Chartered Bank that supports IAPB at the highest level to help achieve universal access to eye health.

As part of the relationship, CooperVision and IAPB will collaborate to bring greater awareness and action to the growing prevalence and severity of myopia in children worldwide[i]. A seminal 2015 report on the issue from the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that “myopia and high myopia are increasing globally at an alarming rate, with significant increases in the risks for vision impairment from pathologic conditions associated with high myopia.[ii]”

“CooperVision has a heritage of addressing widespread refractive issues such as astigmatism and presbyopia. More recently, we have taken on even greater challenges such as childhood myopia, not only correcting it but also successfully slowing its progression,” said Daniel G. McBride, President of CooperVision. “Even with the remarkable progress we’re making, no single organization can do this alone. We’re optimistic about what our new partnership with IAPB will mean for millions of children, adults and families worldwide.”

“IAPB are excited about the opportunity to partner with CooperVision to create sustainable and lasting change in eye health, including addressing the substantial global increase in myopia,” said [Peter Holland, Chief Executive, IAPB]. “The leadership, insight and innovation of our Patrons regularly unearth new approaches, models and alliances for greater collective and individual impact. By working together, we exponentially increase our abilities to confront and overcome vision impairment issues.”

In addition to its IAPB patronage, CooperVision contributes significant funding, knowledge and time to a range of eye health-focused organizations every year. These include being a founding member of the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition, a Global Platinum sponsor of Optometry Giving Sight, and partner in Our Children’s Vision. As part of its corporate responsibility initiatives, CooperCompanies is also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, concentrating on good health and well-being, responsible consumption and production and complementary partnerships.

CooperVision develops a range of products designed to aid eye care professionals. Silicone hydrogel soft contact lens brands such as Biofinity^® and clariti^® 1 day are worn by millions worldwide. Its myopia care portfolio includes advanced lenses such as Paragon CRT^® and Procornea DreamLite designed for overnight wear (orthokeratology), as well as innovations such as MiSight^® 1 day contact lenses, which are clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia in children[iii].

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About CooperVision

CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (NYSE:COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of daily disposable, two-week and monthly contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism, presbyopia and childhood myopia; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.

About CooperCompanies

CooperCompanies (“Cooper”) is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE:COO). Cooper operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of women, babies and families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on medical devices and fertility & genomics. Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., Cooper has a workforce of more than 12,000 with products sold in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com.

[i] Holden et al, – Global Prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology 2016. 123(5):1036-1042

[ii] The Impact of Myopia and High Myopia. Report of the Joint World Health Organization-Brien Holden Vision Institute Global Scientific Meeting on Myopia. University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 16-18 March 2015.

[iii] Chamberlain P et al. A 3-year Randomized Clinical Trial of MiSight^® Lenses for Myopia Control. Optom Vis Sci 2019; 96:556-567.