Practice Tip: Treat Everyone as a Glaucoma Suspect
In the April issue of Optometric Management, Austin Lifferth, OD, notes that “guilty until proven innocent” is the best approach for diagnosing glaucoma: “Unfortunately, what happens is we over rely on IOP readings. If they are normal, we may not look objectively.” In such instances, doctors may under-evaluate the optic nerve, he says. “If we can evaluate the optic nerve more systematically, more carefully with every patient, then we are more likely to detect early glaucoma in our patients… and have a better prognosis,” he adds. For the full article, which is based on a presentation regarding glaucoma from the Optometric Management Symposium, visit https://www.optometricmanagement.com/issues/2023/april-2023/arrest-the-silent-thief
American Optometric Association Names Award Winners
The American Optometric Association (AOA), American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), and Optometry Cares —The AOA Foundation announced the 2023 winners of the organizations’ annual awards. The AOA’s annual Doctor of Optometry awards for Optometric Educator of the Year, Distinguished Service, Optometrist of the Year, and Young Optometrist of the Year are submitted by affiliate associations.
The 2023 award recipients:
• Dr. Glen Steele, Tennessee – Distinguished Service Award
• Dr. Jon Pederson, Colorado – Optometrist of the Year
• Dr. Amy Puerto, Louisiana – Young Optometrist of the Year
• Dr. George Veliky, New Jersey – Optometric Educator of the Year
• Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety – Apollo Award (It honors persons or organizations for distinguished service to the visual welfare of the public.)
• Caitlin Parks – AOSA Student of the Year
• Dr. Joseph Shovlin – National Optometry Hall of Fame
• Dr. Siu Wong – National Optometry Hall of Fame
• Dr. Mitchell Scheiman – National Optometry Hall of Fame
• Dr. Andrea Thau – Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr., InfantSEE Award.
Award recipients will be honored throughout Optometry’s Meeting® in Washington, DC, occurring June 21 to June 24, 2023.
Bausch + Lomb Appoint Executives to Management Team
Bausch + Lomb named a new executive vice president and chief legal officer, Bob Bailey, as well as a new president, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, Andrew Stewart. Both Mr. Bailey and Stewart join the executive management team for the company. Concurrent with the appointments, Christina Ackermann will step down in her role as executive vice president, general counsel and president, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, and will leave the company as of April 28.
Horizon Therapeutics Receives Approval for Indication Addition to Thyroid Eye Disease Drug
Horizon Therapeutics has an approval update to the Indications and Usage section of the Tepezza labels. Specifically, the FDA approved the specification of use for the treatment of “thyroid eye disease regardless of thyroid eye disease activity or duration.” Tepezza is approved by the FDA for the treatment of thyroid eye disease, according to the company.
Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society Announce Publication of Global Workshop Report
The Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) announced its global Workshop report, “A Lifestyle Epidemic: Ocular Surface Disease,” will be published this quarter in The Ocular Surface journal. “This new TFOS Report focuses on the direct and indirect impacts that everyday lifestyle choices and challenges have on ocular surface health – from screen time, to our beauty routines, to our nutrition, to where we live,” stated Amy Gallant Sullivan, executive director of TFOS.
Transitions Optical Names Five Optical Industry Action Step Trends
Transitions Optical released an optical trends report for 2023. The five trends that the company notes:
- Do more with every patient
- Keep employees engaged
- Focus on community
- Keep an eye on a sustainable future
- Embrace a hybrid approach
Visit TransitionsPRO.com to learn more and/or download the report.
Valley Contax Names Optometry’s Meeting Travel Grant Winner
Valley Contax, Inc, in partnership with Contamac US, named Rachael Lockhart, from the Class of 2024 at Northeastern State University, Oklahoma College of Optometry, as the travel grant winner to attend Optometry's Meeting in Washington, DC. Applicants for the grant had to submit a short essay about why they chose optometry as a career. The OD-to-be wrote, “Giving sight to people isn’t just about fixing a problem but about allowing them to have all of their precious moments.”
Vision Council Releases Managed Vision Report, Webinar
The Vision Council released key insights into the attitudes of U.S. consumers about their managed vision care plans. In an expansion of these insights, The Vision Council also announced Focused inSights Managed Vision Care 2023, a webinar, hosted by Vlad Gupan, research manager, and Alysse Henkel, senior director, Market Research & Analytics. Occurring May 3 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT, the webinar will preview exclusive results from the brand analysis, with an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and discuss the report’s findings. To download the report, visit https://thevisioncouncil.org/research-reports.
Visus Names Senior Vice President
Visus Therapeutics, Inc., appointed of a new senior vice president of business development and marketing: Jehan Tamboowalla. Mr. Tamboowalla is responsible for identifying and executing strategic partnerships and collaborations, and leading commercial activities for assets in clinical development.
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.