PRACTICE TIP: When hiring, take note of first impressions
“Most, if not all, of your staff members will interact with patients over the phone,” writes Dr. Patricia Fulmer in her latest “Staffing” column. “These conversations can be the difference between a patient scheduling a visit or going elsewhere. Therefore, I pay close attention to the first impression a potential hire gives in the phone interview.” To read more of Dr. Fulmer’s tips on conducting a phone interview with potential hires, click here.

See the “Research Notes” below for additional news from Bausch + Lomb, Lenz Therapeutics, Nordic Pharma, Qlaris Bio, Sight Sciences, and VisionSpring.

Compulink discusses its AI strategy
Compulink unveiled details about additional AI capabilities across its Advantage SMART Practice solution.  Utilizing the company’s AI engine – Advantage AI Practice – the company’s goal is to implement AI in ways that will advance patient care, practice efficiency, and improve the patient experience, according to a press release. More information can be found here.

CooperVision redesigns online success center
CooperVision has launched its redesigned Online Success Center (OSC). The on-demand digital platform features an updated look and feel, designed to provide users with an improved educational experience, more robust resources, and a streamlined myopia control and myopia management certification process. To access CooperVision’s redesigned Online Success CenterOSC, click here.

Envision Low Vision Grand Rounds opens registration for new webinar
The next Low Vision Grand Rounds, presented by Envision University, will be held April 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT, as a live streamed webinar. The webinar is titled “Should my Patient be Driving? Addressing the Elephant in the Room,” and will be hosted by Bhavani Iyer, OD, FAAO. More information can be found here. 

Eyenovia to demonstrate products at ASCRS & Vision Source Exchange
Eyenovia will feature its products, including the Optejet dispenser, at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting in Boston, on April 5-8, 2024, and the Vision Source Exchange meeting, held April 10-13 in Orlando. Eyenovia will be at booth #265 at ASCRS and booth #1924 at Vision Source Exchange.

IDOC rebrands and revamps marketing services for independent ODs
IDOC’s Marketing Services has rebranded to Optometry Marketing Services and revamped its portfolio to be more accessible and increase value to all independent optometrists, regardless of affiliation. Three digital marketing plans are available: Impress focuses on modernizing the practice’s website and online presence with a website redesign and SEO optimization. Grow aims to help expand the patient base and boost revenue with the same features as the impress package as well as custom blog posts, google ads management, graphic design services, and monthly marketing reports. Dominate is for the practice that wants to control the local market and be visible across all channels. All features of the two other plans are included, as well as organic social posts and paid ads for both Facebook and Instagram.

Lighthouse Guild shares health tips for Women’s Eye Health & Safety Month
Lighthouse Guild is offering tips for women to help take care of their eyes, since April is Women’s Eye Health & Safety Month. “Women are at increased risk for glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, disorders that can lead to vision loss if left unchecked,” writes Lighthouse Guild on its website. More information can be found here.

NORA annual conference opens registration
Registration is now open for the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association 34^th annual conference, taking place September 19 to 22 in Kissimmee, Florida. The live, in-person conference, “Integrating Vision into Brain-Based Therapy,” will provide a variety of continuing education presentations (COPE approval pending) with key opinion leaders from optometry and other specialties, offering a combination of hands-on and lecture style presentations. Visit the organization’s website to register or for more information.

Powers & Company announces philanthropic program
Powers & Company formed Lion’s Share, a new philanthropic program that will provide strategic donations and volunteer support to organizations committed to fostering equitable access to healthcare. The company’s leadership team has chosen their first gift recipients as Sight for Life and Eye Corps, nonprofit organizations improving eye health in underserved areas of the world.

Southern California College of Optometry celebrates 120th anniversary
Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU) is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO). Originally founded in 1904, SCCO was the first optometry school in California. "SCCO's 120-year journey signifies more than just longevity; it represents a commitment to best-in-class optometric education,” said Dr. Julie A. Schornack, president at MBKU, via press release. “This milestone is an opportunity to recognize the collective efforts of the leaders, faculty, students and alumni who have shaped not only our institutional legacy but the long-term success of thousands of health care professionals."

Toku appoints former Google head as chief health officer
Toku, which develops diagnostic tools using AI and retinal photography, has named Professor Michael V. McConnell, MD, MSEE to the role of Chief Health Officer. Professor McConnell’s former roles include Director of Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging and Preventive Cardiology at Stanford University and Head of Cardiovascular Health Innovations at Google. He is also a founding member of the American Heart Association’s Health Tech Advisory Group and author of Fight Heart Disease Like Cancer.

VDR research development fund announced
In the most recent issue of the Vision Development & Rehabilitation (VDR) Leonard J. Press OD, FAAO, FCOVD, editor-in-chief of VDR, announced the new VDR Research Development Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide “funding for exploratory research leading to the generation of publishable quality manuscripts submitted to the journal Vision Development & Rehabilitation,” wrote Dr. Press in latest issue of VDR. More information can be found here.

ViaLase secures financing to advance femtosecond laser production
ViaLase has closed its Series C financing, raising gross proceeds of $40 million. Proceeds will ensure continued advancement of clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones for the company’s ViaLase Laser, a femtosecond laser that is intended for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma following regulatory approval.

Viatris announces US launch of eye drop to reverse dilation
Viatris Inc. has launched Ryzumvi (phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75%) to providers in the United States. The therapy is utilized for the treatment of pharmacologically induced mydriasis produced by adrenergic agonists, such as phenylephrine, or parasympatholytic agents, such as tropicamide.

Virtual Vision Health unveils eye monitoring and pupillography functionality of Virtual Eye Pro
New testing features in the Virtual Eye Pro, from Virtual Vision Health, have been released and were on display this week at ASCRS. Developed and validated by Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the headset’s new features include improved test modalities, reporting accuracy, and repeatability. Live eye monitoring and streaming as well as pupillography are now available on the Virtual Eye Pro.

The Vision Council launches PolicyWatch
The Vision Council has introduced PolicyWatch, a regulatory monitoring service for the optical industry, tailored to provide easier access and understanding of the industry’s evolving legislative landscape. PolicyWatch will monitor legislation specific to teleoptometry. Standing as a centralized resource, PolicyWatch offers real-time updates on teleoptometry laws, regulations, and legislation across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Click here for more information.

World Council of Optometry announces myopia management ambassadors
The World Council of Optometry (WCO), in partnership with CooperVision, is appointing a team of myopia management ambassadors to assist with education, outreach, and practice-building initiatives. All four ambassadors serve a global role, representing a diverse set of regions, and are optometrists with extensive experience in myopia management in both clinical practice and educational settings. The ambassadors are: Nicola Logan, PhD, MEd, MCOptom, SFHEA, FHEA (global representative); Jagrut Lallu, MSc Specialty Lenses, BOptom, FIAOMC (Asia–Pacific representative); Síofra Harrington, PhD, FAOI (European representative); Ashley Wallace Tucker, OD, FAAO, FSLS, ABO Diplomate (U.S. representative).

Research Notes

• Bausch + Lomb’s Miebo is the subject of two recent Phase 3 studies. In the GOBI and MOJAVE trials in adults with dry eye disease (DED) associated with meibomian gland disease (MGD), one drop of perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution (Miebo) instilled in each eye four times daily over 8 weeks resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in the signs and symptoms of DED compared with hypotonic saline (0.6%). The agent was generally well tolerated, with most ocular adverse events being mild or moderate in severity. The efficacy and tolerability of perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution was sustained for up to 52 weeks in an extension study (KALAHARI). Read on here.
• Lenz Therapeutics announced positive topline results from its Phase 3 CLARITY study of two investigational formulations of aceclidine, LNZ100 and LNZ101, for the treatment of presbyopia. In Phase 3 safety and efficacy trials (CLARITY 1 and 2), the lead product candidate LNZ100 (1.75% aceclidine) achieved the primary endpoints and key secondary endpoints, with statistically significant three-lines or greater improvement in bBest cCorrected dDistance vVisual aAcuity (BCDVA) at near, without losing one-line or more in distance visual acuity. The full results can be found here.
• Nordic Pharma will present data on its Lacrifill canalicular gel during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Annual Meeting in Boston, MA on April 5-8, 2024. ASCRS attendees are invited to stop by booth #1245 to learn more about Lacrifill. The panel “LACRIFILL: A Paradigm Shift in Dry Eye Intervention” will also be presented at ASCRS on Saturday, April 6.
• Qlaris Bio announced the initiation and dosing of two separate U.S. Phase 2 masked, randomized clinical trials investigating QLS-111 in patients with ocular hypertension and glaucoma. The Osprey study (NCT06016972) will assess the safety, tolerability, and optimal dose of QLS-111 compared with vehicle alone in adult patients who have primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and/or ocular hypertension (OHT). The Apteryx study (NCT06249152) will evaluate the safety and tolerability, and measure the additive IOP-lowering efficacy, of QLS-111 in combination with latanoprost versus latanoprost alone. 
• Sight Sciences announce data from two of its proprietary glaucoma and dry eye technologies, the OMNI Surgical System (“OMNI”) and the TearCare System (“TearCare”), will be presented in two oral presentations and two posters at this year’s ASCRS Annual meeting April 5th to 8th in Boston, MA. An oral presentation about the results for the OMNI will be held on Sunday, April 7, at 3:50 p.m.; an oral and paper presentation on results about the TearCare will be held Sunday, April 7, at 3:30 p.m.
• Research from VisionSpring, BRAC, and Queen’s University Belfast has found a pair of reading glasses increases the earnings of people in low-income communities by 33%. This study, called THRIVE (Tradespeople and Hand-workers Rural Initiative for a Vision-enhanced Economy), is a randomized controlled trial carried out across rural Bangladesh and found that the provision of reading glasses improves livelihoods and quality of life and reduces poverty, among other benefits. More from this study can be found here.