Practice Tip: Tackle Tight-Fitting Lenses
As a tight-fitting lens can cause conjunctival hyperemia, which can induce lens discomfort or ocular dryness and could lead to drop out, it makes sense for optometrists to keep it on their diagnostic radars when evaluating red eye in soft contact lens wearers, writes Susan Gromacki, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, in “Combat Soft Contact Lens-Caused Red Eye.” In addition to the temporary discontinuation of lens wear, Dr. Gromacki suggests, “refitting [these patients] in a different lens material and/or flatter curvature and instructing them to decrease their wearing time, as lenses tighten as the day goes on. For more, see https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/january-february-2023/combat-soft-contact-lens-caused-red-eye.
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Launches Diversity Video Series
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) launched its Voices of Diversity video series, which is part of its Eye on Diversity Initiative, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision. The Voices of Diversity videos feature first-person accounts from optometrists, optometric educators, and optometry students on the personal and professional impact of race and prejudice. The Video of Diversity project, in its entirety, is about 1 hour and 30 minutes and can be seen on ASCO’s YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/gtNRuMvAZ-E.
Bausch + Lomb and Glaucoma Research Foundation Announce Glaucoma Awareness Month Campaign
Bausch + Lomb and the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), a national non-profit organization with the vision of curing glaucoma, announced the U.S. launch of “Screen, Protect, Cure,” a Glaucoma Awareness Month campaign designed to provide educational resources and raise glaucoma awareness. Specifically, Bausch + Lomb and GRF will share educational resources with those who may be at risk for glaucoma and empower them to take an active role in their eye health. Also included: a fundraising challenge that will match every dollar raised up to $20,000 in support of GRF research for a potential cure. Learn more at glaucoma.org/screen-protect-cure.
Compulink Advantage Version 12 Achieves Government Certification
Compulink Advantage Version 12 received the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC-Health IT) 2015 Edition Cures Update Health IT certification, which became effective in 2023. Specifically, this includes the latest interoperability standards needed to support compliance with the 21st Century Cures Actinformation-sharing requirements, according to Compulink.
IDOC Expands its Vendor Portfolio
IDOC announced new partnerships for 2023 with more than 15 additional vendors to add to its portfolio, while maintaining existing partnerships. New 2023 partnerships include Lombart Instruments, Zeiss Vision Technology Solutions, RevCycle Partners, RCM by VisionWeb, and EyeDesigns. IDOC partners provide exclusive pricing discounts, rebate programs, and resources to IDOC members. To see the full list of IDOC vendor partners, visit https://idoc.net/partners.
Innovative Eyewear Inc. Signs Global Licensing Agreement for Eddie Bauer Smart Eyewear
Innovative Eyewear, Inc., the creator and retailer of smart eyewear under the Lucyd and Nautica brands, reached an agreement with Authentic Brands Group for the global licensing of
Eddie Bauer for smart eyewear. The Eddie Bauer smart eyewear collection is expected to launch in 2023.
Opus Genetics Acquires Rights to Inherited Retinal Disease Gene Therapy Product Candidates
Opus Genetics acquired the rights to two preclinical-stage Adeno-Associate Virus-based gene therapy product candidates for inherited retinal diseases from Iveric Bio. They will address bestrophin-1 (BEST1)-related inherited retinal diseases and rhodopsin-mediated autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RHO-adRP). The company says it anticipates completing additional Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies and filing an IND for BEST1 in the second half of 2023.
Orasis Pharmaceuticals Submits New Drug Application for Presbyopia Treatment
Orasis Pharmaceuticals submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for its investigational CSF-1 (low dose pilocarpine hydrochloride 0.4%) for presbyopia. The NDA is based on data from the Phase 3 NEAR-1 and NEAR-2 clinical trials, which involved more than 600 patients and showed the efficacy and safety of CSF-1. Both trials met their primary and key secondary endpoints, revealing a statistically significant three-line or more gain in distance-corrected near visual acuity and no loss of one-line or more in distance visual acuity.
Prevent Blindness Marks Glaucoma Awareness Month with Free Educational Resources
In recognition of Glaucoma Awareness Month, Prevent Blindness is offering a variety of free glaucoma educational resources, including “The Glaucoma Community” (https://responsumhealth.com/glaucoma/) the organization’s-dedicated glaucoma webpage (https://preventblindness.org/glaucoma/), the Focus on Eye Health Expert Series video “Understanding Glaucoma” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zypikzyoQs8&t=49s), and
the newly updated Living Well With Low Vision resource.
Topcon Offers Maestro2 OCT Certification Course for Ophthalmic Staff
Topcon Healthcare announced the new Maestro2 OCT Certification Course. This free course is currently available to all Maestro2 owners and provides an opportunity for technicians to earn CE credits while honing their OCT skills. The course covers a variety of topics, including how to operate the Maestro2 OCT, tips for capturing high-quality scans, basic retinal and optic nerve anatomy, and common retinal and optic nerve diseases. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive two Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology credits. For more information or to register for the course, visit topconhealthcare.com/certification.
Viridian Therapeutics Enrolls First Patient in Phase 3 Trial of Drug for Thyroid Eye Disease
Viridian Therapeutics, Inc. enrolled its first patient in its THRIVE Phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the company’s VRDN-001 for patients who have active thyroid eye disease (TED). The global THRIVE Phase 3 trial will be conducted in approximately 50 centers across North America and Europe and will enroll 120 active TED patients, according to the press release. Additionally, Viridian says it is planning a second global Phase 3 trial in patients who have chronic TED called THRIVE-2.
VisionSpring Screening Methodology Adopted by the World Health Organization
VisionSpring, the social enterprise accelerating the use of eyeglasses in emerging and frontier markets, announced its screening methodology has been adopted by the World Health Organization’s new open-access Training in Assistive Products (TAP) program. TAP equips primary health care providers, such as nurses and community health workers, with the skills they need to identify presbyopia, dispense reading glasses, and refer for other eye conditions. According to VisionSpring, its Reading Glasses for Improved Livelihoods program has corrected the vision of two million people since 2006.
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.