Practice Tip: Emphasize to patients the importance of obtaining the specific supplement prescribed
“Patients, unlike optometrists, do not know that both the quality and quantity of ingredients in ocular nutritional supplements vary by manufacturer, affecting efficacy,” writes Laurie Capogna, OD, in her article “Increasing compliance to ocular nutritional supplementation.” For this reason, she recommends using this script with patients to acquire their compliance to the specific supplement prescribed: “The ocular nutritional supplements we provide in the practice are comprised of the appropriate amount of each nutrient based on scientific studies…” Read more.
Eyenovia announces study showing safety of company’s drug-dispensing device
Eyenovia announced the findings of a study in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics that shows the company’s drug-dispensing device Optejet delivered a therapeutic dose of latanoprost with less ocular surface exposure to benzalkonium chloride. See the study here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39358871
Lenz Therapeutics’ presbyopia therapy clears FDA hurdle
Lenz Therapeutics announced that the FDA has accepted the company’s New Drug Application for LNZ100 for the treatment of presbyopia. The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act target action date of Aug. 8, and noted that it is not planning to hold an advisory committee meeting to discuss the application.
Ocuphire Pharma buys Opus Genetics
Ocuphire Pharma has acquired Opus Genetics. The new combined company will be known as Opus Genetics. The companies share a “deep dedication to preserving and restoring vision and are best positioned to execute that commitment by building an innovative, efficient, and sustainable clinical-stage biotech company,” according to a press release.
OVDRA accepting abstracts through Oct. 28 for 2025 Annual Meeting
The Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association has opened the call for abstracts (papers or posters) of research studies and case reports to be presented at its 2025 Annual Meeting in Fort Worth, Tex., taking place April 22 to April 26, 2025. (Visit https://www.vtmeeting.com for more information on the meeting.) All abstracts will be reviewed by the Research Committee and will be judged on overall quality, completion of the required information, relevance to developmental, behavioral, and functional vision, subject matter, innovation, and attention to key questions in the field. The deadline for the submissions of abstracts is midnight Monday, Oct. 28. The Research Committee will notify contributors starting Nov. 22.
Study on glaucoma prevalence reveals substantial variation among demographic groups and more
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology titled “Prevalence of Glaucoma Among US Adults in 2022,” reveals substantial variation in the prevalence of the condition among demographic subgroups and more. Specifically, Black individuals are about three times as likely to have vision-affecting glaucoma as compared to white individuals, and an estimated 1.94 million individuals with male sex/gender and 2.29 million individuals with female sex/gender have glaucoma. Additionally, one in about 180 adults have vision loss from glaucoma (with risk increasing with age), and Mississippi has the highest glaucoma prevalence rate, while Utah has the lowest.
Valley Contax, Contamac announce travel grant recipient for Global Specialty Lens Symposium
Valley Contax, in collaboration with Contamac US, announced the recipient of the travel grant to attend the 2025 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) in Las Vegas. Candidates were required to submit a brief essay detailing their most challenging contact lens patient. The award was given to Sophia Tran, a fourth-year student at the University of Houston College of Optometry. In the submission, Tran recounted her experience with a patient suffering from dry eye and a history of two corneal transplants. GSLS 2025 takes place Jan. 15 to 18. Visit https://gslsymposium.com for more information.
The Vision Council opens 2025 Executive Summit registration
The Vision Council announced that registration for its 2025 Executive Summit, occurring Jan. 22 to Jan. 24, 2025, at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, in Santa Barbara, Calif., is now open. The Executive Summit aims to provide a schedule of engaging presentations by keynote speakers, as well as opportunities to network and connect with industry leaders and executives, according to a press release. The event is open to both members of The Vision Council and non-members, with members eligible for special members-only pricing. To register, click here.
World Council of Optometry extends call for CE at Optometry’s Meeting
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) has extended its call for CE courses for the CE program at Optometry’s Meeting, occurring in Minneapolis, June 25 to June 28. Specifically, the WCO is looking for lectures with a global perspective that focus on public health and advocacy, emerging technology and their effect on patient care, and more. Additionally, the primary speaker must be a WCO member. Submit lecture courses here by Friday, Nov. 1, 11:59 pm CT. In other news, the WCO and Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, a tool that helps with the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease, is now available in Spanish. It is accessible at no cost via the WCO website at https://dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/interactive-dry-eye-wheel.