The “Therapeutic Focus” column presents the perspective of an optometrist who has firsthand experience with a new product.

A long-standing patient came in for her comprehensive exam. Her main complaint was eye redness and appearance; throughout the years of managing her, I had done testing to rule out underlying inflammation, dry eye and recurring infection or allergies. The patient asked me, once again, to safely reduce her redness, as it made her self-conscious. I offered her Lumify, as a safe and effective solution. I was able to sample the drop for her while in the office, and she was thrilled with her now white, clear eyes.

Photo courtesy of Bausch + Lomb

OVERVIEW

Lumify is for patients with cosmetic concerns about the redness of their eyes, absent of any underlying infection or significant inflammation. The OTC product contains low-dose brimonidine tartrate (0.025%) for the treatment of redness in the conjunctiva and has a strong safety and efficacy profile with low risk for rebound hyperemia or tachyphylaxis. This product can be used once every six to eight hours, no more than four times daily.

The product is indicated for anyone who has ocular redness due to minor eye irritations or generally dilated conjunctival blood vessels. It is contra-indicated in those who have underlying infections or untreated, active inflammation.

ADDRESS PATIENT CONCERNS

To educate patients about Lumify, I address their concerns of their ocular appearance and inquire why their eye(s) may be red. If I determine the cause is benign, I mention that an OTC product is safe and effective for treating ocular redness that I endorse as their eye care provider. From there, I warn patients that this product is not meant to mask underlying issues and, therefore, to return to my care if their redness does not improve within the first day or two of use. When this drop is administered, the optometrist can expect to notice an immediate improvement in redness within one to two minutes.

Staff members play an integral role in patient care, as they have the time and means to answer patient questions. At my office, they are educated on how to instruct use of the product. They are directed not to answer any questions they are unsure of and to have the doctor communicate with the patient as needed. The lumifydrops.com website is an excellent source of information.

At my practice, we provide Lumify in office. In addition to your ability to sell the drops out of your practice, purchasing can also be done at national retailers. (Your Bausch + Lomb sales representative can give you details.)

PRACTICE BENEFITS

A recommendation of Lumify to your patients offers the benefit of opening the discussion for why their eyes may be red. This, in turn, allows us to treat that cause, and then offer a solution for any residual redness.

PROVIDE A SOLUTION

We can all understand the concern our patients have with their ocular appearance. Whether predisposed to having dilated conjunctival blood vessels or circumstantial, due to lack of sleep or long hours of work, we can now offer our patients a safe and effective solution. OM

DR. WESLEY practices at Complete Eye Care of Medina, a Vision Source practice, which she opened in 2008. She was honored as Minnesota’s Optometrist of the Year in 2011. Email drwesley@cecofmedina.com.