Practice Tip: Because patients often view their vision plan as medical insurance for which they are responsible to make up the difference, consider providing them with the true definition, so they’ll take advantage of the plan, writes James Winnick, OD, in his article “Maximize Your Profitability with Vision Plans.” (To see the patient script he provides, visit https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2022/november-december-2022/maximize-your-profitability-with-vision-plans. Regarding the script: “…This explanation delivers the message that vision plans were created to increase eye care access to patients, help those patients purchase needed visual correction, and increase the frequency of their eye exams…”
Alcon and World Council of Optometry Launch Dry Eye Disease Education Initiative Website
Alcon and the World Council of Optometry (WCO) launched dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info, which features on-demand webinars presented by academics in the field, and in-practice tools, such as clinical studies and white papers, among other professional development resources. The first on-demand Dry Eye Spotlight webinar, “Dry Eye Disease Mitigation,” is now available on the website.
Art Optical Awards First Specialty Contact Lens Student/Resident Travel Grant
Art Optical Contact Lens Inc., in partnership with Contamac, named Dr. Emily Gottschalk, the first recipient of the company’s recently launched Specialty Contact Lens Student/Resident Travel Grant program. Dr. Gottchalk, current Cornea & Contact Lens Resident at the Michigan College of Optometry, was recognized and awarded a $750 travel grant to the recent American Academy of Optometry meeting in San Diego, where she presented her poster “Presbyopia Utopia.” Her poster focused on decentered optics in multifocal scleral lenses.
Azura Ophthalmics Announces Positive Results from Trial on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Drug
Azura Ophthalmics Ltd. announced positive three-month efficacy and safety results from its Phase 2b study of its meibomian gland dysfunction drug AZR-MD-001 0.5%. Specifically, the trial met its co-primary endpoints of improvements in Meibomian Glands Yielding Liquid Secretion (MGYLS; number of open glands) and Ocular Surface Disease Index scores, and it was deemed safe and well tolerated. Azura says it will advance AZR-MD-001 to a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for MGD in 2023.
CORE’s Contact Lens Update Focuses on Artificial Tear Use
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) published Issue 68 of Contact Lens Update, which focuses on the use of artificial tears. The latest edition and all past issues are available free at www.contactLensUpdate.com. In part, the issue includes a discussion on how OTC lubricating eye drop formulations may address common ocular conditions, including dry eye disease, contact lens discomfort, and digital eye strain. The publication receives support from the educational arms of Alcon, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
GPLI Names Tom Quinn, OD, MS, Associate Director
Effective Jan. 1, 2023, Tom Quinn, OD, MS, will join the GP Lens Institute (GPLI) in the part-time role of associate director. He will be responsible for providing regular input regarding GPLI programs and resources, overseeing GPLI projects and committee activities, such as the new GPLI online educational journal, serving as chair of the GPLI Leadership Advisory Board, and actively participating as a member of the GPLI Development Committee.
Graybug Vision and CalciMedica Announce Merger Plans
Graybug Vision Inc. and CalciMedica Inc. have entered into a merger agreement. The combined company will focus on further developing CalciMedica’s Auxora, an intravenous-formulated, small molecule calcium-release activated calcium channel inhibitor, to treat inflammatory diseases. The proposed transaction is subject to shareholder approval and is an all-stock transaction.
Heru Named Honoree of Innovation Award
Heru Inc. was named an honoree in the Virtual & Augmented Reality category of the CES Innovation Awards for its cloud-based, wearable platform that enables physicians to perform nine vision exams: VFs, dark adaptation, contrast sensitivity, and color vision testing, using a lightweight, portable AR/VR headset. The CES Innovation Awards, owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association, is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in 28 consumer technology product categories.
Kala Pharmaceuticals Submits Drug Application for Treatment of Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. submitted an investigational new drug (IND) application to the FDA for its KPI-012, a treatment for persistent corneal epithelial defect (PCED). Subject to the FDA’s acceptance of the IND, Kala says it remains on-track to start a Phase 2b clinical trial of KPI-012 for PCED in the fourth quarter of 2022. Topline safety and efficacy data from the trial is expected in the first quarter of 2024.
Kinarus Adds to Patents for KIN001 Therapy
Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG has received a Notice of Allowability from the US Patent and Trademark Office regarding its application for “methods of preventing or treating ophthalmic diseases,” which covers therapeutic candidate KIN001, an in-development oral treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration, among others. The method of use patent is complementary to the patent No. 11285155, which protects the innovation of KIN001 pharmaceutical combination of pamapimod and pioglitazone until at least 2037.
LKC Technologies Participates in Diabetic Retinal Disease Workshop
LKC Technologies participated in the Diabetic Retinal Disease Clinical Endpoints Workshop of the Mary Tyler Moore Vison Initiative (MTM Vision). The workshop is a critical piece of MTM Vision’s response to the generally accepted need to develop new ways to diagnose diabetic retinal disease, assess severity and risk, and predict the rate of progression as well as the response to therapy, according to the press release.
Ocuco Announces Support of Pediatric Optometry Lecture
Ocuco is supporting a clinical webinar on pediatric optometry on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 3:30 EDT. The webinar, presented by Tania Constable, a pediatric specialist optometrist at Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, is called "Talking Unicorns: Pediatric Eyecare Made Easy." This webinar is COPE-accredited for Interactive Distance Learning* and free. Registration is open and can be completed at the following page: www.ocuco.com/upcoming-clinical-lectures/
Oculis’Acute Anterior Uveitis Therapy Meets Primary Phase 2 Objective
Results of a Phase 2 clinical trial assessing the effect of topical licaminalimab (OCS-02) (Oculis) on anterior chamber cell grade in acute anterior uveitis patients shows the study met its primary objective. Specifically, the data show a response rate (defined as a reduction from baseline in anterior chamber cell grade of ≥2, on Day 15 of 56% for treated patients). Published in Translational Vision Science and Technology, and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT023483129, the results can be accessed via PubMed at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9206391/
Professional Organizations Collaborate on Eye Care Interprofessional Communication Protocol
The American Optometric Association and American Diabetes Association, alongside the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retinal Specialists, and the National Eye Institute, are providing a new resource to improve communication among diabetes care clinicians and eye health clinicians: Eye Care Interprofessional Communication Protocol. The protocol includes two algorithms with narrative explanations detailing the recommended processes for eye care-related communications. The first focuses on appropriate referrals and eye care coordination for those diagnosed with diabetes. The second focuses on guidance for eye care professionals who want to refer patients who are diabetes suspects. Download the protocol at https://diabetes.org/eye-care-interprofessional-communication-protocol.
Specialty Contact Lens Pioneer Passes
Dominic Carmen Siviglia, Sc.D., Ph.D., a pioneer in specialty contact lenses has died. Dr. Siviglia founded Lancaster Contact Lens Lab in 1962, started a private practice, held many positions in various contact lens departments, was an Honored Fellow of the Contact Lens Society of America, and a past member of the Contact Lens Manufacturers of America. He is credited, in particular, with landing the first patent for the reverse geometry contact lens design, the NRL, in 1988.
SVision Imaging Rebrands as Intalight, Names New COO
SVision Imaging has changed its name to Intalight, citing a move to expand its position in the OCT sector. As part of the change, Joe Garibaldi was appointed chief commercial officer to lead the U.S. office and oversee all aspects of the company’s commercial strategies. Prior to joining Intalight, Mr. Garibaldi was the president and founder of West Coast Ophthalmic Instruments & Consulting, where he consulted on U.S. product launches, KOL strategy, and OCT software commercial features. Before that, he was the vice president of global commercialization at Optovue.
The Relief Products Introduces Natural Eyes
The Relief Products announced its Natural Eyes product line. Natural Eyes products feature 100% natural active ingredients that are globally sourced from around the world with no known side effects or interactions and are safe for adults and children ages 2 and up, according to the press release. Additionally, the formulas are contact lens safe and suitable for daily use.
Transitions Optical Survey Reveals Doctor Recommendations Create Premium Lens Option Purchases
At total of 88% of employees report they are likely to purchase premium lens options if recommended by an eye care professional, according to the 2022 Transitions Optical Workplace Wellness survey. Further, 86% of employees say they are likely to spend more than their insurance allowance for a new pair of glasses, and 96% of the employees report they are willing to pay above what their insurance fully covers for premium lens options, such as UV protection, blue light protection, and photochromic lenses.
Vision Council Report Shows Online Buyers More Motivated to Purchase Eyewear
Online buyers have made glasses purchases more recently, intend to do so again sooner, and are
more likely to buy multiple pairs vs. in-person buyers, according to The Vision Council’s “Focused inSights: Online vs. In-Person Buyers 2022” report. The report is based on The Vision Council’s monthly consumer survey and a survey focused on how consumers make decisions about their eyewear and eye care. The surveys were comprised of more than 17,000 U.S. adults and were conducted by The Vision Council between April and June 2022. For more information click https://thevisioncouncil.org/optical-market-research.
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.