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Optometric Management

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LEADING OFF: Also Notable

Optometric Management May 1, 2023 Vol 58, Issue May 2023 Page(s): 16, 17
  • The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) announced that Trish Shomion, CAE, has been appointed CEO. Previously, Ms. Shomion was a senior advisor with Global Management Partners, LLC (GMP), a professional association management company, where she was the executive director of medical organizations. These organizations included the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, and the Organization for Human Brain Mapping.
  • The American Optometric Association issued an alert to consumers to stop using EzriCare and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears products, both from Global Pharma Healthcare. The eye drops were recalled after they were linked to a potential bacterial contamination. A PDF version of the alert can be found at https://bit.ly/AOAeyedropalert . In related news, after visiting Global Pharma’s India-based plant several weeks after the recall of the drops, an FDA inspection resulted in observations, including a “manufacturing process that lacked assurance of product sterility,” according to the report (see https://www.fda.gov/media/166739/download ).
  • Digital Diagnostics is partnering with Labcorp to expand accessibility of the artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic system, LumineticsCore (formerly IDx-DR) to detect diabetic retinopathy (including macular edema). Initially, the test will be launched at nine Labcorp locations in Alabama. Using LumineticsCore enables clinicians to diagnose diabetic eye disease in its early stages with AI at the point-of-care, according to the press release.
  • A survey conducted by The Harris Poll for XP Health reveals that while employees value vision care as much as dental care, many are not using it, due to confusion about how to take advantage of it. It appears that clear and accessible information from employers about what benefits exist and how/when to access benefits might help encourage enrollment and usage, according to an XP Health news release. The survey of 1,009 full-time employed adults in the U.S., aged 25 and older, who are eligible to receive vision benefits from their employer, was conducted online between Feb. 3 to Feb. 13, 2023. For the full results, visit www.xphealth.co/whitepaper/ .
  • IDOC was certified as a Great Place to Work for the third consecutive year. The certification is based on what current employees say about their experience working at IDOC. This year, 82% of employees said IDOC is a great place to work.
  • The International Sports Vision Association (ISVA) named executive and advisory board members, effective April 1: Alireza Somji, OD, to president, and Frederick R. Edmunds, OD, FAAO, to vice president. Adding to the Association’s advisory board: Paul Brewer, OD, founder of Diverge Sports Vision, in Meriden, Idaho; and Melissa Bussey, OD, owner and founder of MB Optometry and Sports Vision, in Windsor, Ont.
  • Johnson & Johnson Vision named Lori Tierney as president, Americas; Jacqueline Henderson as president; and Christoph Vonwiller as president Asia Pacific. The three executives will lead the end-to-end vision business in their respective regions, driving strategy, commercial excellence, and organizational alignment of the vision care and surgical vision businesses, according to the press release.
  • Myopia Action Month, from Myopia Profile, is an awareness campaign occurring in September. The inaugural event will bring four-weeks of global education, industry collaboration, and encouragement to eye care providers to empower them to take action against the disease. The initiative is sponsored by CooperVision, EssilorLuxotica, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
  • Prevent Blindness announced that Dean A. VanNasdale, Jr., OD, PhD, Associate Professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, has been named the recipient of the 2023 Prevent Blindness Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health. Additionally, Christina Ambrosino, medical student at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, has been selected as the recipient of the fourth annual Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award. More details can be found at preventblindness.org/2023-pomeroy-rising-visionary-awards/ .
  • The Tear & Film Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) announced their new global Workshop report, entitled “A Lifestyle Epidemic: Ocular Surface Disease.” The report focuses on the direct and indirect impacts that lifestyle choices and challenges have on ocular surface health. More information about TFOS and the Report is available at www.tearfilm.org/ .
  • Transitions Optical released a new report highlighting five optical industry trends in 2023. The trends are: 1. Do more with every patient: understanding impacts of the pandemic. 2. Keep employees engaged: addressing needs with a people-first approach. 3. Focus on community: making a difference hyper-locally. 4. Keep an eye on a sustainable future: offering products to meet demands hyper-locally. 5. Embrace a hybrid approach: connecting with patients online and off. The full report can be viewed at TransitionsPRO.com .
  • UUniversity, VSP Optics’ continuing education (CE) platform, published new online CE courses for the spring and summer. The free CE courses are designed for opticians who want to obtain their ABO continuing education hours and deepen their knowledge of ocular anatomy, vision conditions, eyewear solutions, and other relevant subjects. The newly published UUniversity courses are vetted and approved by the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and are classified as ABO-T and ABO-G. To create a free UUniversity account, go to https://www.myuuniversity.com/#/public-dashboard .
  • VSP Vision has earned the “VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer” designation in the 2023 VETS Indexes Employer Awards. Presented by VETS Indexes, the award recognizes VSP Vision’s commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing and supporting veterans and the military-connected community.
  • The World Council of Optometry, in collaboration with CooperVision, welcomed more than 1,700 registrants representing 123 countries to its February 16 virtual event, “Myopia Management: Advancing the Global Standard of Care.” The virtual event featured experts discussing the global standard of care and how they have made myopia management an integral part of their work. The event, which also features patient insights, is now available on demand at https://myopia.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/multimedia-resources/ .

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