Practice Tip: Explain Orthokeratology
One reason for parent hesitancy regarding orthokeratology can be a lack of understanding about what it is, writes Cary Herzberg, OD, FIAOMC, in “Orthokeratology: Overcome Patient Hesitancy.” To create understanding, he recommends the following script: “Ortho-k is the use of a customized contact lens worn overnight to slow myopia progression. What happens is that while your child is sleeping, the dynamic fluid forces underneath the lenses gently and smoothly reshape the cornea. The procedure is reversible, unlike refractive surgery, and requires only six to eight hours of sleep to accomplish the molding.” For the full article, visit https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/january-february-2023/orthokeratology-overcome-parent-hesitancy.
Alcon Launches Total30
Total30 for Astigmatism, from Alcon, is a reusable contact lens with water gradient material. Alcon says it estimates the contact lens will be commercially available early this year. In other Alcon news, the company, along with the World Council of Optometry, has opened registration for “Dry Eye Spotlight 2: Measurement,” the second in a series of global DED education webinars. The Jan. 31 webinar (at 6 p.m. PST) will be led by Prof. James Wolffsohn and explore the signs and symptoms of dry eye and how to confirm a diagnosis. Register at https://bit.ly/DryEyeMeasurement.
Alcon Opens Children’s Vision Center
Alcon announced the grand opening of the Alcon Children’s Vision Center, located at 8376 Mojave Trail, in Fort Worth, Texas. The Center, a partnership between the Alcon Foundation and the Fort Worth Independent School District, offers comprehensive eye exams, as well as prescription glasses and access to eye care professionals who specialize in pediatric eye care in the Fort Worth community. Additionally, the Center is available for follow-up appointments and ongoing eye care, all free for qualified students in need, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, according to the press release. To learn more, visit https://alconcvc.org.
Amber Ophthalmics Announces Positive Results of Phase 2 Trial Evaluating Therapy for Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect
See Clinical Trial Notes below
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Release Free Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry made available two diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging resources available free for use by all in the profession interested in learning more about offering culturally competent patient care. They are “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging — A Virtual Cultural Competency Workshop” and “Cultural Competence in Eye and Vision Care: A Toolkit,” sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision. Each resource is available at https://www.pathlms.com/asco/courses/49611 and
https://www.pathlms.com/asco/courses/46673, respectively.
Bausch + Lomb Launches Eye Vitamin
The PreserVision AREDS 2 Formula mini soft gels with OCUSorb, from Bausch + Lomb, is based on the findings of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2. It contains OCUSorb, a proprietary composition of lutein and zeaxanthin. The product, which will replace the previous mini gel formula, is available at major retailers nationwide and online at www.preservision.com.
Contact Lens Update Spotlights Multifocals
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) published guidance from three experts to help eye care professionals increase multifocal contact lens fitting success, visual performance, and patient satisfaction in issue 69 of its “Contact Lens Update.” Specifically, the issue is dedicated to evidence-based perspectives and includes a new patient-facing communication tool for in-office and online use by practices, according to the press release. Access the edition at https://contactlensupdate.com.
CooperVision Expands Plastic Neutrality Initiative to Include Biofinity and MiSight 1 Day in the U.S.
CooperVision announced the expansion of its net plastic neutrality initiative to include its Biofinity family and MiSight 1 day contact lenses in the United States. The company has also announced the initiative has prevented the equivalent of more than 100 million plastic bottles from entering the oceans. The program funds Plastic Bank’s collection, processing, and reuse of general ocean-bound plastic waste that is equal to the weight of the plastic contained in designated products in 27 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. In the United States, this includes the clariti 1 day, MyDay, MiSight 1 day, and Biofinity brands.
Curative Biotechnology to Submit Investigational New Drug Application for Metformin Reformulation
See Clinical Trial Notes below.
Envision Conference West Opens Registration, Calls for Submissions
Envision Conference West will take place March 30 to April 1, 2023, at the Academic Learning and Teaching Center at UT Health, San Antonio, Texas. The conference includes 23 hours of CE, an expo hall, and networking opportunities. Register here. Additionally, all submission categories for the event are open and include clinical education, panel/symposia courses, and research abstracts. The submission deadline is Jan. 29 and can be done here.
Eschenbach Sponsors Visually Impaired Children to Attend Space Camp
Eschenbach Optik of America sponsored two visually impaired students to attend Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students. The camp was held Sept. 2022 at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, in Huntsville, Ala. Students were immersed in astronaut-training techniques using equipment adapted from NASA’s actual astronaut program, according to the press release.
Frontera Therapeutics Begins Phase 1 Trial for Leber Congenital Amaurosis-2 Therapy
See Clinical Trial Notes below.
Glaukos Announces Positive Clinical Updates for Several Corneal Health Pipeline Programs
See Clinical Trial Notes below.
Harrow Antibiotic Compound Now Available
Fortisite, from Harrow, is a tobramycin 1.5% and vancomycin 5% compound from the ImprimisRx 503B outsourcing facility that is now available for in-office use. Fortisite formulations are patent-pending, high-concentration, and refrigeration-stable formulations in solution.
Joint Venture Developing Contact Lens to Measure IOP
Entities Boomerang Ventures Studio, Purdue Foundry, and the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization joined forces to create BVS Sight Inc. Specifically, the entity will develop Purdue-related health care startups and health care-related intellectual property that has yet to reach the market. One item in the pipeline is a contact lens that measures IOP.
Lighthouse Guild Announces New Board Member
The Lighthouse Guild named Barry S. Honig, president and CEO of TruckPay, Inc., a start-up logistics technology company, and president of Honig International, an executive search and management consulting firm, as a new member of its board of directors. A graduate of Columbia University School of Engineering, Mr. Honig was the first blind graduate of the Bronx High School of Science.
Neurotech Pharmaceuticals Names Chief Commercial Officer
Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., appointed Scott Hunter chief commercial officer. Mr. Hunter has a track record in global rare and specialty eye care, having worked for Novartis, Shire, and Bausch + Lomb. He earned his M.S. in Pharmacoeconomics from the University of Florida, and his MBA from the University of Tampa after completing his B.S. in Biology at the University of South Florida.
Ocuphire Pharma Enrolls First Patient in Phase 3 Trial on Presbyopia Treatment
See Clinical Trial Notes below.
Prevent Blindness Calls for Nominations for Organization’s Awards
Prevent Blindness is asking for nominations for its Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health, and the Rising Visionary Award. Submissions for both awards should be received by Feb. 3 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. For more information, visit https://preventblindness.org/jenny-pomeroy-award-for-excellence-in-vision-and-public-health/.
State University of New York College of Optometry to Collaborate with Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity for Glaucoma Global Panel
The State University of New York College of Optometry and Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity International will collaborate on the global panel “Glaucoma Awareness and Management Around the Globe,” for Glaucoma Awareness Month. The event will occur Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 11 a.m. CST. Register at http://sunyopt.edu/glaucoma-awareness.
Topcon Launches NW500 Retinal Camera
The NW500 non-mydriatic retinal camera, from Topcon, is a robotic fundus camera that delivers reliable, sharp-quality imaging even in ambient light, according to the company. The NW500 offers slit scan illumination and a rolling shutter mechanism, and a 12-megapixel sensor, all sans dilation.
Vision Council Report Measures Optical Industry at $76.5B
The Vision Council’s Market inSights 2022 Report presents a summary of the vision care industry from 2019 to 2022 and a forecast for 2023. In addition to a measure of the overall size of the optical industry, at $76.5 billion, key takeaways for 2022 include:
- Lenses made up nearly one-third of the market, with a value of $23.6 billion.
- A total of 98 million frames were sold for a total of $12 billion.
- A total of $15.27 billion was spent on eye exams, between patient spending and managed vision care reimbursements.
The report is available in The Vision Council’s Research Center.
ZEISS Releases ZEISS ClearView Lenses
ZEISS Vision Care released the ZEISS ClearView Single Vision lenses. ZEISS says it identified a way to incorporate many attributes of complex single vision freeform lens designs into standard single vision lenses as both surfaced and stock lenses. ZEISS ClearView Single Vision lenses provide clear vision from the lens center to the periphery, while improving overall aesthetics by being very thin and flat, according to the company. For more information, visit www.zeiss.com/pro-clearview.
Clinical Trial Notes
Amber Ophthalmics Announces Positive Results of Phase 2 Trial Evaluating Therapy for Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect
Amber Ophthalmics provided positive topline results from its Phase 2 clinical trial, EXPEDE, which evaluated two topically administered concentrations of the company’s lufepirsen ophthalmic gel (Nexagon) for the treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defect, secondary to chemical and/or thermal injury. Both the Nexagon high and low dose treatment groups achieved 66.7% corneal epithelial recovery vs. 27.3% of those receiving vehicle only (n = 11), a clinically meaningful difference of 39.4% (Fisher's exact test: p=0.065). Amber says it plans to submit these findings for inclusion at the upcoming 2023 Association for Vision and Research in Ophthalmology meeting, according to the press release.
Bausch + Lomb and Novaliq Dry Eye Disease Therapy Performs Favorably in Phase 3 Trial
A Phase 3 clinical trial on Bausch + Lomb and Novaliq’s NOV03, (perfluorohexyloctane) for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease associated with meibomian gland dysfunction, shows total corneal fluorescein staining was statistically significantly greater in the NOV03 arm vs. the control saline group (least-squares [LS] mean treatment difference, -0.97; (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.40 vs. -0.55) (P<0.001)). Additionally, the eye dryness visual analog scale score was statistically significantly improved in the NOV03 arm vs. the control group (LS mean treatment difference, -7.6; (95% CI: -11.8 vs. -3.4) (P<0.001). See the study at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36574848/.
Curative Biotechnology to Submit Investigational New Drug Application for Metformin Reformulation
See Clinical Trial Notes below.
Curative Biotechnology Inc. says it has cleared the way to prepare and complete the company’s first Investigational New Drug application to move its metformin reformulation into a clinical trial to treat intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and geographic atrophy resulting from AMD.
Frontera Therapeutics Begins Phase 1 Trial for Leber Congenital Amaurosis-2 Therapy
Frontera Therapeutics dosed the first patient in its Phase 1 clinical trial of its gene therapy program, FT-001, for the treatment of Leber congenital amaurosis-2, which is related to a mutation in the RPE65 gene. FT-001 is a one-time injection into the subretinal space of the eye that delivers a functional copy of the human RPE65 gene to the nuclei of the patient’s retinal cells. The FDA cleared an Investigational New Drug application for the therapy in April. The Phase 1 trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic effects of the therapy.
Glaukos Announces Positive Clinical Updates for Several Corneal Health Pipeline Programs
Glaukos Corporation enrolled its second Phase 3 trial for Epioxa (Epi-on), a corneal cross-linking therapy for keratoconus treatment. The company says it plans to randomize approximately 290 subjects in this trial, and it is targeting enrollment completion by 2023’s end. Additionally, Glaukos announced topline Phase 2a outcomes for GLK-301 topical cream (iLution – Dry Eye Disease [DED]) for the signs and symptoms of DED. Specifically, it demonstrated improvement in the quality of tear film (tear break-up time) with corresponding improvement in quality of vision (reduction in blurred vision). Glaukos says it now has plans for a Phase 2b clinical trial for this year.
Ocuphire Pharma Enrolls First Patient in Phase 3 Trial on Presbyopia Treatment
Ocuphire Pharma enrolled its first patient in VEGA-2, a Phase 3 trial investigating the efficacy and safety of phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75% (Nyxol) alone and as an adjunctive low-dose pilocarpine therapy for presbyopia. Registration for the trial is at www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05646719.
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.