Practice Tip: Have techs engage in ‘small talk’ to uncover contact lens needs
One way to suss out the contact lens needs of both current and potential wearers is to have staff engage them in small talk on the short walk from the reception area to the pretest area, writes Susan A. Resnick, OD, FAAO, in this month’s “Contact Lenses” column. “By ‘small talk,’ I’m referring to how the patient has been and what, if any, activities (recreational, etc.) they’ve been involved in as of late,” she pens. “This information can, in turn, be a springboard for the OD to mention newly available contact lenses or contact lens wear in general.” Read more.
Alkeus Pharmaceutical’s Stargardt disease treatment shows promise
Presented at the American Society of Retina Specialists in Stockholm last week, data on three patients from TEASE-3, a trial of oral gildeuretinol acetate (ALK-011; Alkeus Pharmaceutical) for the treatment of Stargardt disease, reveal the area of photoreceptor damage was significantly smaller in the younger siblings (early stage disease) of Stargardt disease patients compared to their older siblings. Additionally, the progression of photoreceptor damage was vastly smaller in the younger siblings compared with their older siblings.
AbbVie launches two new Refresh lubricating drops
Refresh Tears PF and Refresh Relieva PF Extra from AbbVie are preservative-free lubricant eye drops. The formula employs HydroCell technology that calls on a sodium chloride/salt-free glycerin-based solution to aid in hydration. The multidose bottle design is engineered with a soft-squeeze in mind and a double lockout system that keeps the drops sterile, according to a press release.
Bausch + Lomb buys Trukera Medical
Bausch + Lomb has acquired Trukera Medical from Trukera’s private equity owner, AccelMed Partners, and other shareholders, according to a press release. Trukera Medical produces ScoutPro, a point-of-care portable device for measuring tear osmolarity, an indicator of asymptomatic dry eye disease and ocular surface disease.
CooperVision marketing gets nod with award nomination
CooperVision’s myopia consumer activation event was announced as a finalist for the 2024 Medical Marketing and Media Awards. The 2023 event for children and families, which took place at Chicago’s Navy Pier, presented an opportunity to experience nearsightedness firsthand while riding the Ferris Wheel. Additional educational activities, materials, and area eye care practitioners were also on hand, according to a press release.
Euclid Vision and Visionary Optics appoint new vice president of sales
Euclid Vision Corporation and Visionary Optics named David Lewandowski as the new vice president of Sales, Americas. He will replace David Bland, who was with the company for seven years before his recent retirement, according to a press release. Lewandowski has close to 20 years of eye care industry experience, including past leadership roles at EssilorLuxottica and Alcon.
Eyenovia and Senju team up on anti-dry eye treatment
Eyenovia and Senju Pharmaceutical have entered into a collaborative agreement to develop Senju’s corneal epithelial wound-healing candidate, SJP-0035, for use with Eyenovia’s Optejet dispensing technology for the treatment of chronic dry eye disease, according to a press release. Per the terms of the agreement, Eyenovia and Senju are planning to meet with the FDA to present a clinical development proposal that, if successful, could support a New Drug Application filing for a novel drug-device combination product.
Latinos en Optometry adds to its advisory board
Latinos en Optometry announced the appointment of Angelica Cifuentes, OD, to the nonprofit’s advisory board. Born in Colombia and raised in Miami, Fla., Dr. Cifuentes is a board-certified optometric physician practicing in Florida. She is also the chief executive officer and co-founder of Bye Dry Eyes, an e-commerce website offering a range of anti-dry eye disease products for patients.
Optometry Giving Sight announces retirement of executive director
Optometry Giving Sight announced that executive director Lois Schoenbrun, CAE, FAAO, will retire from the organization in December 2024. Schoenbrun came out of retirement as the executive director of the American Academy of Optometry to serve as interim executive director for OGS in April 2022. A nationwide search is now underway for Schoenbrun’s replacement. Information regarding the position can be found here.
Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association calls for courses
The Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association is seeking education for its annual meeting, which will occur in Fort Worth, Texas, April 22 to April 26, 2025, with both in-person and virtual events, including one-to-two-day pre-meeting courses, one-to-two-day regional seminars (in-person), and virtual webinars. The deadline for submissions, which can be sent here, is midnight CST, July 29.
SIFI product receives European Medicine Agency orphan drug designation for fungal keratitis treatment
SIFI announced the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products of the European Medicine Agency has issued a positive opinion concerning orphan drug designation (ODD) for polyhexanide in the treatment of fungal keratitis. Polihexanide received an ODD for fungal keratitis from the FDA in February 2022.
Transitions Optical refreshes certification program
Transitions Certification Program, an online training resource from Transitions Optical, has been updated to include content and access to the newest offerings from the company, including the Transitions Gen S lenses, according to a press release. Eye care professionals can become experts by completing the online training and assessment. Earn your certification at https://trade.transitions.com/education.