Federal Trade Commission updates Eyeglass Rule with four changes
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced final updates to its Ophthalmic Practice Rules, known as the Eyeglass Rule, aimed at promoting competition and consumer choice. These updates:

1. OD and MD prescribers are required, after providing a patient’s prescription, to request the patient sign a statement confirming they received their prescription and to keep a record of such confirmation for at least three years.
2. Prescribers, with a patient’s verifiable affirmative consent, are allowed to provide the patient with a digital copy of a prescription in lieu of a paper copy; if the patient refuses the digital copy, the prescriber must provide a paper copy. Whether the patient consents to digital delivery or opts for a paper copy of their prescription, the prescription must be provided immediately after the examination is completed (not after the patient has been sold glasses, for instance).
3. The presentation of proof of insurance coverage shall be deemed to be a payment for the purpose of determining when a prescription must be provided.
4. The term “eye examination” has been replaced by “refractive eye examination” throughout the text and emphasizes the need for prescribers to educate consumers that there can be a difference between an eye health examination and a refractive eye examination.
   The FTC vote approving the final rule was 5-0, with Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter issuing a separate statement. It will be published in the Federal Register soon and will become effective 60 days after publication.

Practice Tip: Consider bundling aesthetic products and services
“To increase the likelihood of your patients using all the products and services that can preserve their ocular health and healthy appearance, consider bundling them together,” writes Pamela E. Theriot, OD, FAAO, in “Offering ocular aesthetics in practice.” She says she’s had success in bundling four sessions of intense pulse light with radiofrequency using a rosacea-friendly facial cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen, as well as products to support continued lid hygiene. Click here to read on.

Alcon showcases WaterInnovations portfolio at Optometry’s Meeting
Alcon featured its range of WaterInnovations contact lenses offering all-day comfort at Optometry’s Meeting, which occurred June 19 to June 22 at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn. “With the rates of astigmatism, presbyopia, and digital device dryness all on the rise, our range of WaterInnovations contact lenses were each purpose-built to deliver all-day comfort,” says Kristen Brotherson, General Manager, U.S. Vision Care.

American Optometric Association’s Optometry’s Meeting spotlights legislative efforts
During his House of Delegates report at the recent Optometry’s Meeting in Nashville, Tenn, AOA Executive Director Jon Hymes noted expanded work with the American Dental Association (ADA), including filing a U.S. Supreme Court brief seeking to block vision and dental plans from issuing the ERISA statute to avoid compliance at a state level. Additionally, he shared that AMVETS, a Veterans Service Organization, joined the call for full recognition of optometric scope in the VA health system. Further, Mr. Hymes announced that the National Consumers League now supports the AOA’s efforts to crack down on plan abuses and federal legislation to ban “robocalls” in the contact lens marketplace.

Aurion Biotech Receives two FDA designations for allogeneic cell therapy candidate
Aurion Biotech announced that the FDA granted both Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy Designation for its AURN001, an allogeneic cell therapy candidate for the treatment of corneal edema secondary to corneal endothelial disease. The news comes on the heels of Aurion’s announcement that it has completed enrollment and dosing of its CLARA trial in the U.S. and Canada.

Bausch + Lomb introduces daily disposable contact lens for astigmatism
Bausch + Lomb announced the U.S. introduction of its INFUSE for Astigmatism daily disposable contact lenses. INFUSE for Astigmatism provides astigmatic patients clear, stable vision, all-day comfort, and minimizes contact lens dryness, according to the company. Consistent with the entire INFUSE family of lenses, INFUSE for Astigmatism also features a blend of osmoprotectants, electrolytes, and moisturizers for comfort and eye health.

CooperVision’s myopia management lifecycle team leader joins children’s eye care panel
CooperVision’s Stuart Cockerill, leader of the company’s myopia management lifecycle team, was part of the panel “In Sight for Our Children,” which discussed how to prioritize children’s eye care on national and global agendas on June 27. The panel was part of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness “2030 In Sight Live conference,” which occurred in Mexico City and was livestreamed.

EssilorLuxottica and Diesel seal 10-year licensing agreement
EssilorLuxottica and Diesel announced they signed an exclusive license agreement for the design, manufacture, and worldwide distribution of Diesel eyewear. The agreement became effective June 18 and will run until Dec. 31, 2029, with an automatic renewal option of an additional five years. The first frame collection under the agreement will be available on the market by Q1 2025.

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care joins forces with American Optometric Association and Black EyeCare Perspective at Optometry’s Meeting
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (J&J) partnered with the American Optometric Association and the Black EyeCare Perspective to showcase continued strides in the “Vision Made Possible” initiative. Highlights included a dedicated Juneteenth collaboration with the AOA and the Black EyeCare Perspective on the importance of diversity in eye care and connection to allyship in leadership. In other news, J&J closed a transaction to co-lead the Series A funding of TECLens.i, a start-up developing a non-incisional refractive correction procedure that leverages the corneal collagen crosslinking technique.

Myopia Profile designates September as Myopia Action Month
Myopia Profile announced the return of Myopia Action Month in September 2024. The global event will deliver 30 days of tailored education, industry collaboration, and encouragement to empower eyecare professionals to more effectively address the disease, helping counter growing prevalence rates, according to the organization. This event aligns with the World Council of Optometry’s advocacy for myopia patient care and is fully supported by Myopia Profile’s visionary sponsors. More information about Myopia Action Month, including how to register at no cost, will be published on myopiaprofile.com in the coming months.

Prevent Blindness providing educational resources for Dry Eye Awareness month
Prevent Blindness is supporting dry eye awareness month, which kicks off on Monday, July 1, with free educational resources, including fact sheets and shareable social media graphics available in English and Spanish, and a dedicated web page: preventblindness.org/understanding-dry-eye. OCuSOFT Inc. is partnering with Prevent Blindness in support of Dry Eye Awareness Month.

The Vision Council releases low vision report
The Vision Council has released “Focused inSights: Low Vision 2024.” The report is based on mixed-methods research, including two focus groups and a nationally representative survey of 101 U.S. patients and caregivers, the organization shares. Report highlights include:
     • Trends in diagnosis and referral
     • Information sources
     • Treatment options and challenges
     Click here to access both the summary and the full report from The Vision Council.

Vision Expo West registration open
Registration for Vision Expo West, occurring Sept. 18 to Sept. 21 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, is now open for conference and exhibit hall registration. The event’s educational program, VisionEd, including OptiCon @ Vision Expo, will start Sept. 18, the day before the exhibit hall opening. To register, click here. Future attendees can explore exhibitors, events, course lists and more by visiting west.visionexpo.com.