Practice tip: Cover all the angles in dry eye disease
When discussing dry eye disease with patients, are you sure to always inquire about systemic medication and OTC drug use with patients? This month’s column, by Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, serves to remind optometrists why they should take care to do this. Click here.
ABB Optical names new CEO
ABB Optical appointed Daniel Liberman as chief executive officer, effective Feb. 1, 2024. Mr. Liberman takes over the role from Tom Burke, who will become co-chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Liberman has held senior management positions at WS Audiology and EssilorLuxottica, according to a press release.
Alcon announces topline results for clinical trials on dry eye disease candidate
Alcon announced positive topline results from the two pivotal phase 3 clinical trials (COMET-2 and COMET-3) evaluating the efficacy and safety of AR-15512, a candidate treatment for the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). In both COMET-2 and COMET-3, which enrolled more than 930 DED subjects (randomized 1:1 to AR-15512 or vehicle control), the primary endpoint of the proportion of subjects with at least a 10 mm increase in unanesthetized Schirmer’s score achieved statistical significance at Day 14 (P <0.0001), according to a press release.
Amring Pharmaceuticals names new chief commercial officer, eye care US
Amring Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Amring), a subsidiary of Nordic Group B.V. (Nordic Pharma), appointed Jai G. Parekh, MD, MBA, chief commercial officer, Eye Care U.S. Dr. Parekh was a chief medical officer at Allergan Eye Care. He says he’s looking forward to global planning for Amring Pharmaceuticals’ FDA-cleared hyaluronic acid derivative Lacrifill, a canalicular occlusive device, created to temporarily block tear drainage by the occlusion of the canalicular system.
American Optometric Association weighs in on proposed Utah contact lens legislation
The American Optometric Association’s (AOA) Advocacy Executive Committee chair, William T. Reynolds, OD, has this to say about proposed legislation in Utah, H.B. 189, that would amend Utah’s contact lens retail statute to prohibit the contact lens prescriber from selling the prescribed contact lens to their patient, and require additional action steps by prescribers: “I’ve reviewed this proposal and find its flawed approach to be anti-patient and anti-doctor,” he says. “Our health care system deserves better.”
DryEye Rescue launches the Hybrid Display
Hybrid Display, from DryEye Rescue, combines eye-catching visual aids with educational resources via a touch screen, aiding in the awareness of dry eye disease, according to a press release.
Harrow’s Vevye now available stateside
Harrow announced that cyclosporine ophthalmic solution 0.1% (Vevye), a patented, non-preserved, prescription drug administered bid via a semifluorinated alkane eyedrop, is now available in the United States. Health care professionals can send prescriptions for Vevye via Harrow’s dedicated pharmacy partner, PhilRx, any retail pharmacy, or wholesale through mcKesson, Cardinal, and Cencora, according to a press release.
2030 In Sight Live tickets on sale
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness announced ticket sales for 2030 Insight Live, in Mexico. The event will bring together experts, innovators, and advocates June 25 to 27, according to a press release. For more information, see click here.
Lighthouse Guild reports support of president, CEO in transplant program
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, an agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced the Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts (THEA) program, which intends to transplant whole human eyes to restore vision for the blind and visually impaired. Dr. Calvin W. Roberts, president and CEO of Lighthouse Guild, has taken on an additional role as manager of the program. In other news, Lighthouse Guild is the recipient of the John and Jane Shalam Award, named in tribute to John and Jane Shalam for significant contributions to consumer technology.
M&S Technologies launches Bruder Ocular Surface Analyzer
M&S Technologies’ Bruder Ocular Surface Analyzer is an all-in-one device measuring ocular surface disease test results, according to a press release. The device also aids clinicians in creating customizable treatment plans, which can include their existing dry eye disease treatment technology, prescribed therapeutics, and at-home therapy. Click here.
RevCycle Partners launch billing and coding software
RevCycle Partners’ OneSpot is a cloud-based, billing software product for eye care practices. The software assists with insurance billing operations by automating repetitive tasks, monitoring aging claims, and scrubbing old claims in a cloud-based tool, according to a press release.
Safilo and AEFFE renew partnership
Safilo Group and AEFFE SpA have renewed their global licensing agreement for Moschino and Love Moschino eyewear collections until December 2033, ahead of schedule, according to a press release.
Vision Council announces promotions, new employees
The Vision Council has welcomed new team members or promoted the following staff: Rosie Gabriel, Governance and Operations Project Manager; David Pierson, Strategic Advisor; Tori Hyndman, Director of Communciations; Alysse Henkel, Vice President, Research and inSights; Korey Paul, Research Manager; Suzanne Krauss, Director of Shows. In other news, Vision Expo East 2024 is set to bring together more than 450 eyewear and eye care companies displaying products and technology across 150,000 square feet of space in New York City from March 14 to 17, 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.