OD Notebook:
Practice Tip: Stage Dry Eye Disease to Determine Treatment
Patients who have Stage 1 dry eye disease (DED), for example, have a standard patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED) score of less than 6 (asymptomatic), 5/5 meibomian gland expression in all three quadrants, cloudy gland secretion, and less than 25% of gland loss on meibography, writes Selena R. McGee, OD, FAAO, in the July issue article “Treat Dry Eye Disease by Severity.” Additionally, lid margins reveal minimal debris. Given these findings, Stage 1 DED patients would achieve relief via lid hygiene, an ocular nutritional supplement, artificial tear drops, blinking exercises/awareness, a low-inflammatory diet (e.g., less-processed foods), and good hydration, she explains. For the entire article, see https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/july-2023/treat-dry-eye-disease-by-severity.
Alcon Showcases Monthly Lens, Digital Lens Ordering System, and “Inclusion” Panel
In a press event held during AOA’s Optometry Meeting, Alcon shared insights into the TOTAL30 portfolio of monthly water gradient contact lenses. In addition to an expert panel discussion, Sean Clark, general manager, U.S. Vision Care, Alcon, said a soft launch of the TOTAL30 multifocal was expected this fall, with a full national launch in the first quarter of 2024. The meeting also included an update on MARLO, the company’s digital contact lens ordering platform, as well as the Ophthalmic World Leaders (OWL) panel, “Eyes on Inclusion: Mentorship Matters.” The panel, which discussed the challenges LGBTQ+ people face in finding mentors, included moderator Nivine Woods, OWL president-elect, and Drs. Rachel Gorgy, Bryce St. Clare, Lauren K. Haverly, and Jeffrey J. Walline.
Bausch + Lomb to Acquire Xiidra
Bausch + Lomb (B+L) entered into a definitive agreement with Novartis under which B+L will acquire lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% (Xiidra), a non-steroid eye drop specifically approved to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) that focuses on the inflammation associated with DED. The acquisition of the drug will complement B+L’s existing DED portfolio, which includes eye and contact lens drops from the company’s consumer brand franchises and its pharmaceutical business that features perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution (Miebo). (The latter was recently FDA approved to directly target tear evaporation, according to the press release.) In other news, B+L will kick off a social media campaign to increase the understanding of DED and the role of tear evaporation as a leading driver of the disease. The campaign will run throughout this month (July) for Dry Eye Awareness Month.
Companies Join Forces with Foundation to Increase Eye Care Access
PlenOptika partnered with Sightsavers and the Fred Hollows Foundation (https://www.hollows.org/us/home) to work with the World Health Organization’s task reallocation and role optimization strategies to help reassign refractive services to areas in need. They have started pilot programs in Sierra Leone and Nepal, which will explore whether trained community health workers can accurately and effectively screen for refractive errors at scale using handheld technology.
CooperVision Launches Consumer Phase of Myopia Education Campaign
CooperVision launched the consumer phase of its “Make Children’s Sight Your Fight” myopia control advocacy initiative. Specifically, the back-to-school campaign includes a message that emphasizes the need for parents to schedule a comprehensive eye exam for children prior to their return to school, and a collaboration with a U.S consumer health care website that will deliver related articles, videos, and slideshows.
EssilorLuxottica to Produce Jimmy Choo Eyewear
EssilorLuxottica and Jimmy Choo have signed an exclusive license agreement for the design, manufacture, and worldwide distribution of Jimmy Choo Eyewear. The agreement is effective Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2028, according to the press release.
Glaukos Launches iDetective Campaign
Glaukos launched its iDetective campaign to educate optometrists on the early signs or clues of keratoconus (KCN), so that patients can be diagnosed early. The campaign includes digital and print communications, such as a dedicated website (www.idetectives.com), videos and podcasts, advertising and advertorials, social media, and a conference presence. Additionally, the campaign offers content and resources, such as autorefractor and topography cards, KCN Clue trading cards, KCN Clue videos and case studies, and a KCN-customized 3D model of a keratoconic eye. The campaign was launched at the 126th annual AOA Congress (Optometry’s Meeting), in Washington, DC.
Hilco Vision Earns Accreditation for Ophthalmic Products Facility
Hilco Vision earned drug distributor accreditation from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy for its North Las Vegas, N.V., facility. The facility is a wholesale distributor of optical and ophthalmic products that distributes and stores prescription and OTC drugs and medical devices.
Mount Sinai Opens Center for Ophthalmic Artificial Intelligence and Human Health
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai launched the Center for Ophthalmic Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human Health. In partnership with the Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health at Icahn Mount Sinai, the center aims to advance clinical innovation in AI-based diagnostic care in ophthalmology and population-based medical care, while advancing the understanding of cardiovascular and neurological conditions that impact patient well-being, according to the press release.
Organizations Begin Zambian Eye Care Program RGIL
VisionSpring, Live Well, and the Council of Churches Zambia launched the Reading Glasses for Improved Livelihoods (RGIL) program in Zambia. This year, the program aims to test the sight of 47,500 rural Zambians. For the working age adults who will gain clear vision through the program, eyeglasses are projected to unlock more than $2.5 million (ZK 52.5 million) in income-earning potential at the household level, according to the press release.
Prevent Blindness Provides Resources for Dry Eye Month
Prevent Blindness declared July as “Dry Eye Awareness Month.” Information is available on dry eye risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options through a variety of resources, including fact sheets and shareable social media graphics, available in English and Spanish, and a dedicated dry eye web page:
https://preventblindness.org/2023-dry-eye-awareness-month/#:~:text=In%20an%20effort%20to%20educate,available%20in%20English%20and%20Spanish%2C. Additionally, Prevent Blindness is offering a new episode of its Focus on Eye Health Expert Series, “Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD),” featuring Optometric Management’s chief optometric editor April Jasper, OD, FAAO. In other news, Prevent Blindness announced that the 2023 Prevent Blindness Swing Fore Sight golf tournament will occur Sept. 27, at the Bali Hai Golf Club, in Las Vegas, Nev. in conjunction with Vision Expo West. For more information, visit https://preventblindness.org/SwingForeSight, or contact Albert Muci, amuci@preventblindness.org.
Viatris Eye Care Division Launches Dry Eye Disease Awareness Campaign
In conjunction with dry eye disease awareness month, the Viatris Eye Care Division launched the dry eye disease awareness campaign “More Real. More Substance.” The campaign advocates for the necessity of more real conversations and more substance to the dialogue around the chronic condition. Key topics include life before dry eye disease, the experiences patients had when they first engaged the health care system, and how the disease develops inside the eye.
Vision Council Releases Consumer Optical Preferences and Habits Study
The Vision Council released Focused inSights 2023: Frames, which examines consumer behavior and trends, including U.S. adults’ brand preferences, frame purchasing frequency, generational differences in the selection of eyewear, the role of managed vision care in paying for eye exams and frames, and the average list prices that patients pay. Among the highlights: one in 10 consumers indicated they made a recent frames purchase, and 51% of consumers reported spending $0 out-of-pocket for value-priced frames.
World Congress of Optometry Registration is Open
Registration is now open for the World Congress of Optometry, taking place Sept. 8 to Sept. 10, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. The themed conference, “Optometry Unites, Down Under,” includes 26 countries contributing abstracts and a diverse range of sessions and topics, according to the press release. For more information, visit https://www.omega-event.org/
RESEARCH NOTES
Dopavision Trial Enrolling Pediatric Myopes
Dopavision announced an update on its MyopiaX-1 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04967287), a randomized, active-controlled clinical trial enrolling children between the ages of 6 and 12 years who have progressive myopia and a refractive error between –0.75 D and –5.00 D. Specifically, all clinical trial centers are now open and actively enrolling eligible participants, in Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and the clinical effect of MyopiaX for the management of pediatric myopia.
Elois Completes Enrollment, Changes Executive Team
Elios Vision Inc. completed enrollment for its pivotal trial of more than 300 patients who have mild-to-moderate glaucoma treated with the Elios procedure in combination with cataract surgery. The procedure uses net generation excimer laser technology for the treatment of glaucoma. In other news, the company announced changes to its executive team in the United States: Frank Shields, president of the Americas; Cari Stone, senior vice president of Marketing; and John Liu, senior vice president of Reimbursement & Market Access.
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.