Practice Tip: Be a Problem-Solver
One way to get patient buy-in to premium lenses is to show patients how the lenses can be a problem solver, writes Jessilin Quint, OD, in her latest “Optical” column. “To accomplish this, you must first ask patients, ‘how is your vision in your current eyewear?’ and ‘Are there times when you wish your current glasses could provide better vision?’ Both questions elicit problems and/or needs,” she explains. For more on getting patient buy-in to premium lenses, visit https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2022/november-december-2022/get-patient-buy-in-to-premium-lenses.
Cleinman Performance Partners Collaborates With Allied Financial Partners
Cleinman Performance Partners has joined forces with Allied Financial Partners, a New York-based financial management firm that can assist individuals and businesses in accounting, bookkeeping, tax planning, payroll, and other financial services, regardless of state residence. For more information on Cleinman Performance Partners, visit www.cleinman.com. For more information about Allied Financial Partners, visit www.alliedfp.com.
Contact Lens Organizations Name New Board Members
Derrell James, vice president and general manager of X-Cel Specialty Contacts, has been elected as the president of the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association (CLMA). He also serves as the vice president for the GP Lens Institute (GPLI), the CLMA’s education partner. Joining Mr. James on the CLMA executive board is John Hibbs of Contamac as vice president, and Sara Yost of BostonSight as secretary/treasurer. Additionally, the following industry leaders were elected to the CLMA board of directors: Cindy Belliveau of Visionary, Andy Jackson of ABB Optical, Jonathan Jacobson of Acuity Polymers, Troy Miller of Acculens, Chris Pantle of DAC International, Monica Sanders of Visionary Optics, and Jan Svochak of TruForm Optics. Josh Adams is the immediate past president of the CLMA and will also serve on the board.
CooperVision Specialty EyeCare Releases New Myopia Minute Episodes
New episodes of Myopia Minute, a video series from CooperVision Specialty EyeCare are available that correspond with the 20th anniversary of Paragon CRT contact lenses. The new set of four episodes is led by Maria Liu, OD, PhD, MPH, MBA, FAAO, who is the founder and chief of the Myopia Control Clinic at the University of California, Berkeley. The four episodes are available at https://marketing.coopervisionsec.com/5mm-ozd-lens-customization.
EssilorLuxottica Renews, Expands Partnership with Ferrari
EssilorLuxottica extended its partnership with Ferrari, agreeing to a multi-year license agreement effective Jan. 1, 2023. EssilorLuxottica will continue to design, produce, and market eyewear products featuring the Scuderia Ferrari and Ray-Ban brands and extend the Prancing Horse brand. In an expansion, the Ray-Ban logo will go from appearing on the Formula 1 single-seaters to the cars and apparel of official drivers competing in the World Endurance Championship.
Eyenovia to Participate at 2023 International Consumer Electronics Show
Eyenovia, Inc. will participate at the 2023 International Consumer Electronics Show, occurring Jan. 5 to Jan. 8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Specifically, Eyenovia’s booth (#8311) will feature digital aspects of its proprietary ophthalmic topical drug delivery technology. Optejet. Optejet has not been approved, cleared, or licensed by the FDA for any use, and it is not commercially available in the United States.
Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety Announces Executive Director
The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (HCAPS) has a new executive director: Ralph Kohl. Mr. Kohl is a seasoned and recognized health care association expert; he will serve as the coalition’s’ leader and will work closely with HCAPS partners to set a strategic plan for the future, according to a press release. HCAPS was founded in 2018 by the American Optometric Association to advocate for patient safety and to protect the doctor-patient relationship.
Iveric Bio Completes Rolling New Drug Application Submission for Geographic Atrophy Treatment
Iveric bio, Inc. has submitted to the FDA the third and final part of its New Drug Application (NDA) for rolling review of avacincaptad pegol, a novel investigational complement C5 inhibitor for the treatment of geographic atrophy, secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Per the company's agreement with the FDA for rolling NDA review, part three of the NDA included chemistry, manufacturing, and controls data.
Myopia Profile Upgrades My Kids Vision Parent Education Site
Myopia Profile upgraded its My Kids Vision (mykidsvision.org) website by updating its Knowledge Center and providing printable graphics containing QR codes that ECPs can share with parents during the consultation. Specifically, the Knowledge Center now offers more than 40 articles explaining myopia, treatment options, and children’s vision, including age-specific and topic categories regarding babies and toddlers, children, teenagers, and young adults. The printable graphics promote targeted reading and information on different aspects of myopia, treatment options, and management principles.
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association Names Chair of International Fellowship Committee
The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) appointed Nancy M. Mackowsky, OD, FCOVD, FNORA, chair of its International Fellowship Committee. She succeeds Derrick Tong, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, FNORA, who will step down from the role Feb. 1, 2023. In 2010, Dr. Mackowsky founded The Mackowsky Visual Learning and Rehabilitation Clinic in Raleigh, N.C., which is devoted solely to providing neuro-optometric rehabilitation and vision therapy.
NovaSight Releases Amblyopia Therapy, Appoints VP
NovaSight’s CureSight, a digital therapy for amblyopia, will be released to the U.S. market beginning this month. CureSight received FDA 510(K) clearance based on its study that shows the device to be non-inferior to eye patching, the standard of care, for amblyopia treatment in children. CureSight therapy is carried out while the child watches any streamed content of their choice on a user-friendly, eye tracking—based device. Additionally, the company has appointed Drew Hopper to vice president of sales and marketing North America.
Thea’s Preservative-free IOP Therapy Receives Approval
Thea Pharma’s Iyuzeh, a preservative-free formulation of latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.005%, received approval of its FDA NDA for the reduction of IOP in patients who have open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The therapy has demonstrated consistent IOP-lowering effects. Specifically, in randomized, controlled clinical trials of patients who have open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension with a mean baseline IOP of 19 to 24 mmHg, IOP was lowered by 3 mmHg to 8 mmHg, according to the company.
The Vision Council Looks to Relaunch PAC
The Vision Council announced plans to relaunch VisionPAC, a political action committee intended to enhance the vision community’s reputation among government officials and strengthen its impact on public policy. In January 2023, a Prior Authorization Form will be sent to members of The Vision Council to be completed before any funds may be solicited from eligible employees of member companies. The Federal Election Commission requires all trade associations to obtain signatures and maintain a record of these forms.
OD Notebook is published weekly on Wednesdays. Unless otherwise noted, the information presented is based on press releases and/or announcements by the respective organizations. Find earlier editions here. To submit a press release to be considered for publication, click here.