News from Aerie Pharmaceuticals, American Optometric Association, Bruder Healthcare, CooperVision, Eschenbach, EssilorLuxottica, Haag-Streit, and more…
Practice Tip: “A scribe can add efficiencies to a practice and enhance the patient experience,” writes Steve Vargo, OD, MBA, in this month’s “CEO Checklist. “This is because the doctor can focus more on the patient, and less on a keyboard.” To get a scribe in place, have them practice by entering data on a fictitious patient — maybe an employee; review charts with the scribe; and give lots of guidance, and encourage questions. See bit.ly/ODScribeChecklist.
Aerie Pharmaceuticals Announces First Subject Receives Investigational Dry Eye Treatment in Phase 3 Study
Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the first participant in the first of three Phase 3 clinical trials has been dosed with the company’s AR-15512 ophthalmic solution for the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. Aerie says it plans to start the other two trials in the second half of 2022 in support of a potential New Drug Application (NDA) filing in 2024.
Alcon Reaches Agreement to Acquire Eysuvis and Inveltys From Kala
Alcon and Kala Pharmaceuticals Inc. reached an agreement for Alcon to acquire Kala Pharmaceuticals’ commercial portfolio and related intellectual property assets. The sale, upon completion, would include Eyesuvis, the FDA-approved therapy for short-term treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, and Inveltys, a corticosteroid for the treatment of post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. Under terms of the agreement, Alcon will pay $60 million upfront, plus potential milestone payments. Kala plans to focus on developing KPI-012, a novel cell-free secretome therapy that has the potential to address several rare and severe ocular diseases.
American Optometric Association Foundation Names 2022 National Optometry Hall of Fame Inductees
The AOA Foundation selected four optometrists for this year’s National Optometry Hall of Fame: Joseph Barr, OD, MS; Edward Bennett, OD; Charles Brownlow OD; and Don Williamson, OD (posthumous). The inductees will be honored during the AOA Awards and National Optometry Hall of Fame ceremony on Thursday, June 16, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. during Optometry’s Meeting in Chicago.
Bruder Healthcare Presents Study That Points to Fear Among Cataract Surgery Candidates
In a noninterventional, cross-sectional investigation of 278 U.S. adults, age 65 and older, it was found that fear is a predominant emotion in one of three cataract surgery candidates. Additionally, this fear correlates with intentions to delay having surgery as long as possible. The report, presented by Bruder Healthcare, was recently published in Clinical Ophthalmology. To reduce fear and uncertainty, the study’s authors suggest a pre-surgical prep kit, which is an offering of Bruder Healthcare products.
CooperVision Names President, Americas
CooperVision appointed Alex Wilkes as its president, Americas, effective June 14. Mr. Wilkes has more than a decade of experience in the eye care industry, with his most recent post as senior vice president and general manager of Pearle Vision at Luxottica, according to the press release. He will be responsible for executive leadership and determining the strategic direction for the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
Centre for Ocular Research & Education and Public Relations Firm Win Public Relations Award
CORE and McDougall Communications received the Public Relations Society of America’s Silver Anvil Award for efforts to raise awareness among medical professionals and consumers about increases in dry eye disease symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as providing steps to alleviate the discomfort. The efforts led to widespread attention on the condition MADE, or mask-associated dry eye. Additionally, a CORE-bylined feature story was also awarded a Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation.
Eschenbach Launches Lamp That Has Adjustable Color Temperatures
Magno Lumnia Max Lamp, from Eschenbach Optik of America Inc., is a device that allows users to select the optimal light color temperature and brightness level settings to maximize their viewing environment, the company says. The lamp is available in desktop and floor versions. Attributes include energy-efficient LEDs, five brightness settings, and five color temperatures ranging from warm (3000 K) to cool (6500 K). Selections are made by the user via touch pad buttons on the lamp or a wireless remote control. More information on the product can be found at https://www.eschenbach.com/products/task-lighting.asp.
EssilorLuxottica Launches Foundation for Global Advocacy and Philanthropy
EssilorLuxottica announced the launch of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, marking a new chapter in the group’s journey to help everyone in the world “see more and be more.” The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation unites many of the group’s global advocacy and philanthropic actions and will play a role in the fight against poor vision. By raising awareness on the importance of good vision and supporting the creation of sustainable vision care through philanthropic grants, the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation will work with like-minded partners to help realize the United Nations’ resolution, “Vision for All,” and help eliminate uncorrected poor vision in a generation, according to the press release.
Haag-Streit Announces 2022 Slit Lamp Imaging Competition
Haag-Streit launched its “Slit Lamp Imaging Competition 2022,” which gives eye care providers worldwide an opportunity to showcase their slit lamp imaging skills. Judging criteria includes image quality, technical execution, and disease interest. The competition is open until August 12, 2022. Applicants should send their images to hsimagingcomp@gmail.com. For additional information on the competition, visit https://www.haag-streit.com/imaging-competition.
IDOC Announces National Conference Date; Calls for Speakers
IDOC’s annual national conference, The Connection, will occur Feb. 16 to Feb. 19, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. Additionally, the optometric alliance is calling for guest speakers to provide educational content focused on staff training, practice management, wellness initiatives, marketing strategies, and more. The submission deadline is June 30, 2022, and they can be sent here. Sign up here to be notified about The Connection 2023 updates.
Mobile OptiX Launches Caregiver Appreciation Program
Mobile OptiX, a mobile vision practice, launched its Caregiver Program to provide caregivers and their families with low-cost eye examinations and glasses. Additionally, the company announced that Modern Optical International is donating 1,000 pairs of its frames. The Caregiver Program is extended to long-term caregivers, including nurses, certified nursing assistants, and medical assistants, and their families.
Ocuco Names Senior Sales Executive, North America
Ocuco, appointed Carlo Rossetti as senior sales executive to its North American team. Mr. Rossetti has over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, including several years within the optical sector. He will be a point of contact within North America for independent practices interested in Ocuco’s practice management & EHR system, Acuitas, along with a range of omnichannel solutions, including websites, virtual-try on, digital marketing and more, the company says.
Ocuphire Pharma Announces Phase 3 Clinical Trial Results on Nyxol
The LYNX-1 Phase 3 clinical trial results have been announced by Ocuphire Pharma Inc. The trial is investigating Ocuphire Pharma’s Nyxol for the treatment of night or dim light vision disturbances. The therapy has been tested across 12 sites and enrolled 1,100 subjects. Top line results of the LYNX-1 trial include that the therapy met the FDA-agreed upon primary endpoint in which subjects gained three lines of low contrast distance vision under dim conditions compared to placebo.
Optometry Student Receives Ohio State University Innovator Award
Richard Wan, OD, MS, who graduated May 15 from The Ohio State University College of Optometry, was the recipient of the Ohio State Innovator Award. This is a $5,000 grant that recognizes "inovative, creative, and feasible ideas presented by an optometry student." Dr. Wan got the award for creating AR-Optical, an initiative that aims to leverage augmented reality technology to improve the patient experience and quality of care in the optical. VSP Vision is one of the sponsors of the award.
Prevent Blindness to Host Annual Focus on Eye Health Summit
This year’s Summit, kicking off July 13, will include an array of presentations related to the theme, “Eye-conic Approaches to Eye Health,” including “The Global Impact of Eye Health,” and “Engaging Technology to Support Vision Health and Quality of Life.” Also offered: a dedicated exhibitor hall; educational materials, videos, and toolkits; on-demand educational content; and in-platform opportunities for networking and collaboration. To register or for more information, visit preventblindness.org/eyesummit, or contact Nita Sinha, Director of Public Health, at eyesummit@preventblindness.org.
Treehouse Eyes Partners with J&J Vision on Myopia Marketing Campaign
Treehouse Eyes, a company dedicated exclusively to myopia management, announced it is partnering with Johnson & Johnson Vision on a direct-to-parent marketing campaign in several U.S. cities. The campaign launched in April, and includes paid social influencer partnerships, and media partnerships targeting parents to drive awareness and a call to action to ask their eye care practitioner about myopia treatment options.
Vision Council Offers Downloadable Marketing Materials for National Sunglasses Day
The Vision Council has published downloadable marketing materials for National Sunglasses Day, which in 2022 occurs on Monday, June 27. They can be accessed here: http://nationalsunglassesday.com/sunglasses/materials/.
Visiox Pharma Appoints CEO
Visiox Pharma LLC named Ryan S. Bleeks CEO of the privately funded biopharmaceutical company. Prior to joining Visiox Pharma, Mr. Bleeks served as vice president of sales, sales training, and sales operations at RVL Pharmaceuticals plc. and as national sales director at Sun Pharma, according to the press release.
VSP’s Eyefinity Garners EHNAC Healthcare Network Accreditation
Eyefinity, a VSP Vision company achieved full accreditation from the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission’s (EHNAC) Healthcare Network Accreditation Program (HNAP) for its Electronic Health Network (EHN) platform. The accreditation program recognizes excellence in health data processing and assurances regarding compliance with industry standards and HIPAA regulations, according to the press release. Eyefinity’s EHNAC accreditation became effective May 24 and is approved through 2024.
O.D. 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.