Practice Tip: Suspect keratoconus when faced with five clues
“While none of the following symptoms are specific to keratoconus, our suspicion must be heightened when reported by patients in their early to mid-20s, in whom other clinical explanations, such as diabetes, are much less unlikely,” writes Susan Resnick, OD, FAAO, in this month’s “Contact Lens” column. These five symptoms:
(1). Complaints of reduced vision in one eye more than the other. While KCN is a bilateral condition, it typically progresses asymmetrically.
(2). Unsatisfactory prescription updates. KCN patients will present with a history of having their prescription updated frequently within the past year but with frustration that the changes do not quite result in improved vision.
(3). Glare.
(4). Photophobia.
(5). Distorted night vision.
For the full column, visit https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/october-2023/clinical-contact-lens.
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry launches optometrist matching service
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) announced Eye Opener Sessions, a complement to ASCO’s public awareness campaign, Optometry Gives Me Life. Eye Opener Sessions is a matching service for potential and future optometry students looking for a Doctor of Optometry to shadow, via in-person or virtually, during the workday to learn more about a day-in-the-life of an optometrist, according to a press release. Optometrists interested in becoming a mentor should visit www.eyeopenersession.org. Students will be matched with an OD based on geographical information, common interests, and goals. Students can start the matching process at www.eyeopenersession.org.
BioTissue announces favorable results in treating dry eye disease with Prokera Slim
BioTissue announced significant improvement in patient outcomes with less time when patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease were treated with BioTissue’s Prokera Slim amniotic membrane corneal bandage. The main result of the study revealed a significant improvement in Dry Eye Workshop scores one-week, one-month, and three-months post-treatment. Baseline scores improved from 3.1 +/- 0.6 at baseline to 1.50 +/- 0.5 at one-week (P = 0.006) and 1.2 +/- 0.4 at both one- and three-months (P = 0.004), with no reported complications or adverse effects throughout the study, according to a press release.
CooperVision awards travel grants for Academy 2023
CooperVision awarded 10 fellows, or candidates of fellowship, a cumulative $15,000 in travel grants to attend Academy 2023, which occurred Oct. 11 to Oct. 14, in New Orleans. Recipients of the first-ever travel grants were given to individuals from countries including Ghana, India, Nigeria, Nepal, Malawi, and Pakistan. Eligibility requirements included being either a fellow or candidate for fellowship of the Academy, living in a low or lower-middle income country, the ability to attend Academy 2023 in New Orleans, and providing a personal statement.
Heidelberg Engineering gets FDA nod for combination device
Heidelberg Engineering received FDA clearance for its all-in-one Anterion platform, which combines biometry, IOL power calculation with corneal topography and tomography, anterior chamber metrics, and high-resolution imaging, according to a press release. Proprietary features, such as patented eye tracking and composite imaging technologies, help deliver images and key measurements, the company says. Functionality includes a previously approved Imaging App and newly approved Cataract App, Cornea App, and Metrics App.
InflammX named EYEnovate winner
InflammX was named winner of Vision Expo West’s inaugural EYEnovate Ocular Horizons Award. Vision Expo West 2023’s Innovation Stage hosted the debut of EYEnovate, a content series highlighting groundbreaking technologies. Specifically, Brian Levy, OD, MSc, CEO, of InflammX Therapeutics, was awarded for the presentation “Novel Platform Technology Targeting the Pathological NLRP3 Inflammasome in Retinal /Kidney Disease,” which addressed a therapeutic approach for treating retinal diseases with an orally administered tablet capable of treating both eyes simultaneously.
Lighthouse Guild Podcast covers accessible technology for those who have vision loss
The latest episode of the Lighthouse Guild podcast “On Tech and Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts” explores the pathway from concept to reality with two innovators in accessible vision technology: Jay Cormier, president and CEO of Eyedaptic (a vision-enhancement technology company), and Dr. JR Rizzo, professor and researcher of medicine and engineering at New York University. Dr. Rizzo and his research team are developing a wearable “backpack” navigation system that uses a camera, computer, and sensor technology, according to the press release. The podcast is available online at www.lighthouseguild.org, and for downloading on Apple Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts iHeartRadio Podcasts and Tunein.com.
Optometric Management announces photo/image contest
Optometric Management invites you to enter its Clinical Image Contest. Specifically, the magazine is seeking high-resolution JPG, .JPEG or .GIF photos/images that depict the following areas: AMD, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, dry eye disease, and contact lens fit. Please email entries to Jennifer.kirby@broadcastmed.com, with the subject line “Photo Contest.” The email should contain the photo/image, its title, image description, and your contact information. Winning photos/images will be chosen by a panel of judges selected by Optometric Management. The winning photos/images will be featured in an upcoming issue of Optometric Management.
Orasis Pharmaceuticals announces approval of Qlosi
Orasis Pharmaceuticals announced the FDA approval of pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.4% (Qlosi) for the treatment of presbyopia in adults. The drug is a prescription eye drop that can be used daily, or as needed, up to twice per day. It demonstrated efficacy 20 minutes after administration and can last up to eight hours, as measured on day 15, to improve near vision without impacting distance or night vision, according to a press release. The therapy is expected to be commercially available in the United States in the first half of 2024.
Vision Council completes, approves Lens Product Description Standard
The Vision Council announced the completion and approval of Version 1.00 of the Lens Product Description Standard. The standard, created by the Lens Product Description Standard Committee, keeps up with the changing nature of the industry and the more feature-rich designs available in the marketplace; it will eventually replace the currently used Lens Description Standard v2.2, according to a press release. The Lens Product Description Standard Committee encourages you to post feedback, questions, or concerns on the LPDS forums. Visit https://forums.thevisioncouncil.org/forum/6-lens-product-description-standard-lpds/. In other Vison Council news, the organization continues its partnership with Vistaprint ProShop to offer access to printable materials at a discounted rate. From stickers and retractable banners to posters and tabletop signs, the online store includes printable resources for National Sunglasses Day, low vision, lens options, and dispensing information. Standard shipping is free on orders more than $50. Since its inception in 2022, items have been updated and will continue to be updated, according to the press release.
Visioneering Technologies announces interim results for PROTECT myopia progression study
Visioneering Technologies, Inc., presented the one-year interim retrospective data of its PROgressive Myopia Treatment Evaluation for NaturalVue Multifocal Contact Lens Trial, or PROTECT, randomized control trial at the American Academy of Optometry’s annual meeting. PROTEC was a multi-center, randomized, double-masked clinical trial investigating the three-year safety and effectiveness of NaturalVue Multifocal Contact Lenses for myopia progression control in children. The presentation displayed 1-year preliminary interim results in slowing myopia progression, which confirm that the therapy effectively manages eye growth and refractive error change among progressing myopic children. Additional details are coming in January 2024, according to a press release.
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.