Practice Tip:
In regard to the recent availability of AI in eye care, both the currently available and in-the-pipeline AI diagnostic and screening technologies appear to aid in clinical decision making (enhancing patient care), provide time savings for doctors and patients, save clinic space, and offer relief for those who have mobility issues, writes Kevin Cornwell, OD, in “Investigate Artificial Intelligence in Eye Care,” which appears in the August 2022 issue. To explore the AI developments in the different areas of eye care, such as dry eye disease, See https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2022/august-2022/investigate-artificial-intelligence-in-eye-care.
American Academy of Optometry Foundation Names Contact Lens Research Award Recipient
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation named Binod Rayamajhee the 2022 recipient of the Joe and Janet Barr Early Career Cornea and Contact Lens Research Award, which provides a first- or second-year MS or PhD student in vision science or physiological optics with $2,000 of seed funding for research in cornea/ocular surface or contact lenses.Mr. Rayamajhee is a second-year optometric PhD student at the University of New South Wales School of Optometry and Vision Science in Australia. His research focuses on the effects of intracellular bacteria on the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Bausch + Lomb Launches the #LUMIFYEyeDance Challenge on TikTok
Bausch + Lomb Corporation is challenging consumers to dance on TikTok with their eyes to the beat of the company’s Lumify audio track for a chance to win a makeover with celebrity makeup artist and Lumify eye drops brand ambassador Vincent Oquendo. The $10,500 prize package includes travel and accommodations for two to New York, a $500 American Express gift card, a “dream kit” featuring products used during the makeover session, and professionally shot photographs to commemorate the event. To enter, consumers must post a video using the two official hashtags, #LUMIFYEyeDance and #WinIt.
Eyenovia Appoints Chief Operating Officer to Chief Executive Officer
Eyenovia named current chief operating officer Michael Rowe as the company’s new chief executive officer effective August. Mr. Rowe’s appointment follows the company’s nationwide search and interviews with multiple candidates. He has also been appointed to Eyenovia’s board of directors. In his 30+ year career, Mr. Rowe spent 12 years at Allergan. Most recently, he was with Aerie Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Rowe has also held leadership roles at Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Eyenovia’s current CEO, Sean Ianchulev, MD, announced he will transition to chairman of the company’s board.
IDOC Offers Managed Care Consulting Benefit
IDOC announced the launch of a new member benefit: access to managed care consulting with Jenna Armitage, who joins IDOC in a managed care consultant role offering support to ODs as they navigate the changing landscape of medical insurance and managed care plans. Ms. Armitage joins IDOC with six years of management experience across multiple independent practices. She holds an MBA in healthcare management. The new benefit is extended to all Advisor and Select members and will address areas including maximizing profitability of managed care plans, accounts receivable management, setting fee schedules, credentialing, and billing and coding. To learn more about IDOC’s services, membership levels, and benefits, visit IDOC.net.
Nicox Names Chairman of its Board of Directors
Nicox appointed Jean-Francois Labbé as chairman of its board of directors. Mr. Labbé has served as a member of Nicox’ board of directors since June 2010 and has been the chairman of the Audit Committee of Nicox since July 2013. He is the founder and chief executive officer of SpePharm Holding BV, a pan-European specialty pharma company.
Oyster Point Expands Access to Tyrvaya Nasal Spray
Tyrvaya nasal spray, from Oyster Point Pharma Inc., is now covered by commercial prescription drug plans managed by the nation’s top three Pharmacy Benefit Manager Group Purchasing Organizations, according to the company. In addition, Oyster Point Pharma Inc has expanded patient access programs to patients. For more information, visit www.tyrvaya-pro.com.
Prevent Blindness Offers Educational Materials for Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
In honor of Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month and the declaration of 2022 as the “Year of Children’s Vision,” Prevent Blindness is offering a variety of free resources, including educational tool kits, fact sheets, and webinars. The goal is for parents, caregivers, teachers, school nurses, and public health professionals to have the information they need to keep children’s eyes healthy, thus ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed in school, activities, and development. Tools offered through the non-profit can be found at https://preventblindness.org/your-childs-sight/.
Safilo Adds Sustainable Material to Production in 2023
Eastman Tenite Renew has been introduced in Safilo Group’s sunglass and prescription collections. The materials are used across all types of applications and production processes for the company’s eyewear portfolio, beginning with the January 2023 licensed brand Levi’s collections. Tenite Renew is part of a broad range of sustainable materials.
Transitions Optical Survey Reveals Reasons Employees Would Seek an Eye Care Provider
Transitions Optical’s 2022 Workplace Wellness Survey shows blurry vision (73% of respondents), light sensitivity (52% of respondents), digital device-caused eye strain (49% of respondents), and interest in blue light protection (30% of respondents) prompt employees to visit an eye care provider. Additionally, 96% of respondents say they are willing to pay more than what their insurance covers for premium ophthalmic lens options, including photochromic lenses.
Vision Expo West Announces Return of the Career Zone-Student Lounge
The Career Zone-Student Lounge will return to Vision Expo West on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Union, booth U23019. It serves as a central hub for students and young professionals to network with participating companies, including Elevate Eyecare, Eyecare Partners, VSP, Keplr Vision, National Vision Inc., MyEyeDr, Luxottica, Walmart, and Warby Parker. Vision Expo West takes place Sept. 14 to Sept. 17 at the Venetian Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. Register at visionexpo.com.
Wellspring Ophthalmics Receives Second Patent for Dry Eye Therapy
Wellspring Ophthalmics garnered its second patent for a novel cyclosporine dry eye therapy. The company’s intellectual property portfolio, which includes additional pending patents, covers a broad formulation platform of suspension-comprising aqueous, amorphous nanodispersions of cyclosporine. Wellspring Ophthalmics continues seeking a licensee who will complete development and commercialize its newly acquired platform.
World Council of Optometry and Alcon Partner on Dry Eye Disease Education Initiative
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon joined forces to form a global, evidence-based dry eye disease education initiative designed to raise optometrists’ understanding of dry eye etiology and prevalence, diagnosis, and practical management. The initiative will feature the collected insights of several opinion leaders, a simplification of the latest research, and related, easy-to-implement educational materials. Visit at worldcouncilofoptometry.info.
ZEISS Celebrates US Launch of Vision Experience
Zeiss Vision Care is celebrating the opening of the first optometry practice in the United States to feature a ZEISS Vision Experience in Peraland, Texas. The Eyecare Leaders store combines a modern and immersive patient experience with ZEISS, specifically patient-focused services from precise vision measurements and lens consultation through frame selection. The concept is employed at 250 independently owned operations outside of the United States, Zeiss says.
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.