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INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE TO CONDUCT EYE HEALTH STUDY

The Institute of Medicine will perform a consensus study sponsored by the AOA to assess the public health strategies and core principles to decrease visual impairment and promote eye health in the United States.

In addressing the IOM Committee on Public Health Approaches to Reduce Vision Impairment and Promote Eye Health, immediate past AOA President, David A. Cockrell, O.D., charged the committee to consider four priority areas:

• Regular comprehensive eye exams provided in person by an eye doctor remain key in the eye and vision health of Americans of all ages, and today, more Americans have coverage for routine eye exams than ever before.

• Eye health and vision care needs of Americans of all ages must be accurately identified and efficiently addressed without overlooking the disparities on vulnerable populations, with a focus on eye disease prevention as well.

• Precise language so the public understands the benefits, differences and drawbacks, and so policymakers understand the data — e.g., a “vision screening” should not be used interchangeably with “eye examination.”

• The IOM must distinguish between what’s difficult and what’s illogical — that is, access to care and delivering care can be challenging, but they can be achieved with effort, innovation and teamwork, whereas an inherently flawed approach does not get better with repetition.

CONTACT LENS COMPANIES ANNOUNCE NEW OFFERINGS AT OPTOMETRY’S MEETING

At Optometry’s Meeting, the annual meeting of the American Optometric Association, which took place in Seattle last month, Alcon, CooperVision and Johnson & Johnson Vision Care all introduced new products and services.

Alcon announced the U.S. launch of its next generation hydrogen peroxide solution, CLEAR CARE PLUS Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution, which contains HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix technology (3% hydrogen peroxide), for the cleaning and disinfection of soft and RGP contact lenses.

Alcon also announced it is offering Air Optix Colors contact lenses in two-count packs, available in all nine colors, through Sept. 30, 2015 or while supplies last.

CooperVision introduced MyDay silicone hydrogel daily disposable contact lenses to the U.S. market. Along with MyDay clariti 1 and Proclear 1 day, CooperVision now offers three daily disposable contact lenses.

According to the company, the lens’ “Smart Silicone” chemistry optimizes oxygen permeability in a the lens that has a low percentage of silicone (4.4%). The low modulus optimizes lens softness, yet it remains strong enough to ensure handling.

The company introduced CooperVision Advantage, which brings together the company’s EyeCare Prime, Premier and LensFerry services.

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care launched the 1-Day Acuvue Moist Brand multifocal contact lens. According to the company, the contact lens is the only multifocal that is designed to address the natural variation in pupil size according to age. The lens is built on the 1-Day Acuvue Moist platform. Distance powers are available in quarter diopter steps, from +6.00D to -9.00D, and three ADD powers. The new multifocal lens blocks approximately 82% of UVA rays and 97% of UVB rays.

SPOUSES/LIVE-IN PARTNERS AT DOUBLE RISK OF DIABETES, SAYS STUDY

Compared with people in the general population, spouses or live-in partners of those recently diagnosed with diabetes are twice as prone to get the condition themselves in the year after their spouse or live-in partner is diagnosed, reveals a recent Kaiser Permanente study. A caveat: The study did not take into account one’s BMI.

Charles Ficco, O.D., who practices in Griffin, Ga., and sees many patients who have diabetes, says he always educates his patients and their family members on the importance of diet and exercise during the examination, while also emphasizing to the patient’s significant other that, “This is lifestyle change that EVERYONE has to adhere to.”

As for the Kaiser Permanente study not taking BMI into account, Dr. Ficco says that, in his experience, it goes to follow that the significant other of the patient diagnosed with diabetes is also out of shape or has a very large BMI.

ALLERGAN TO PURCHASE TWO COMPANIES

Allergan is set to buy Oculeve, a development-stage medical device company that creates treatments for dry eye disease and Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, for $125 million and $2.1 billion respectively.

With regard to Oculeve, Allergan will oversee the company’s OD-01, which is a non-invasive neurostimulation device that increases tear production and has shown positive efficacy and safety, and an early stage development program for another dry eye disease device.

“The OD-01 program if [FDA] approved, would provide an exciting new treatment option for patients that is complementary to our existing product offerings,” says David Nicholson, executive vice president, Global Brands Research and Development at Allergan, in a press release.

The purchase of Kythera Biopharmaceuticals will include Kybella, an injection which recently received FDA approval for the treatment of moderate-to-severe submental fat, more commonly known as “double chin,” and the experimental drug setipiprant geared toward preventing male pattern baldness.

Allergan expects the transactions of both companies to become final in the third quarter of 2015.

ALABAMA PASSES NON-COVERED SERVICES LEGISLATION

Vision plans in Alabama can no longer limit an eyecare practitioner’s ability to set service and material fees as a requirement for plan participation, choose supply sources, make changes to the provider manual sans provider notification and have provider contracts that exceed two years from the date of execution, according to recently passed legislation. Further, vision plans in the state must provide plan providers with reasonable reimbursements for services and materials.

“We’ve seen more and more vision plan contracts contain non-covered discount requirements in addition to optical lab requirements. Our doctors want to be able to control their practices, in terms of the services and products they provide,” explains Amanda Buttenshaw, executive director of the Alabama Optometric Association. “In addition, this is a patient access issue, in that as a result of these contracts, some of our doctors have questioned whether they should participate in these vision plans. With this new legislation, eyecare practitioners can run their businesses the way they want to, and patients can continue to receive eye care.”

When asked for advice for other states seeking similar legislation, Ms. Buttenshaw says doctor participation is the key.

“Our doctors were fantastic contacting legislators and explaining what was happening in their practices,” she explains. “Because they put a face on the problem, the legislators really heard them.”

A spokesperson for the AOA says versions of this legislation have been launched in 13 states.