Practice Tip: Learn about the iris color-changing eye drops under scrutiny
“The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the American Optometric Association (AOA), and the FDA have released warnings about color-changing eyedrops that have appeared on social media,” writes contributing writer Sarah Fackler, in her news article, “Eyedrops to Change Iris Color Under Scrutiny.” To educate your patients on these drops, including their ingredients and the claims their manufacturers have made about them, Read here.
American Optometric Association’s InfantSEE to host webinar
InfantSEE will host the webinar, “Nurturing Vision Health in Children,” at 7 p.m. CT on Jan. 23, 2025. Specifically, the webinar will feature an in-depth exploration of best practices for conducting eye examinations on infants and is open to doctors of optometry, students, and paraoptometric professionals. To register, click here. In other news, the American Optometric Association’s Health Policy Institute (HPI) released a brief focused on blepharitis. The resource is intended to educate the public on blepharitis, its symptoms, and treatment options. Download the HPI brief here.
Centre for Ocular Research and Education publishes Contact Lens Update issue on myopia control
The Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) has made the focus of the latest Contact Lens Update on myopia control. The issue is titled “The Science of Myopia Control: What Every ECP Should Know.” The feature article is written by Vishakha Thakrar, OD, who reviews studies on a range of optical (including spectacles and soft contact lenses designed for myopia control and orthokeratology), pharmaceutical, and low-level red light therapies. The bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com.
CooperVision and World Council of Optometry Myopia Management Navigator used worldwide
The Myopia Management Navigator, from the World Council of Optometry and CooperVision is being actively used in 126 countries worldwide, according to CooperVision. Additionally, its usage represents 64% of all countries globally, with the United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia, India, Australia, and Canada having the most active users. The World Council of Optometry partnered with CooperVision to launch Navigator in April. It provides evidence-based content, advice, and practical actions to help eye care professionals deliver care to myopia patients. Access the Navigator at myopianavigator.info.
EssilorLuxottica to acquire Espansione Group
EssilorLuxottica has entered into an agreement of acquisition with Espansione Group, an Italy-based company specializing in the design and manufacture of noninvasive medical devices for the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye, ocular surface, and retinal diseases. Espansione operates in more than 40 countries, according to a press release.
eyeDNA receives Rare Pediatric Disease Designation from FDA
eyeDNA Therapeutics has been granted a Rare Pediatric Disease Designation by the FDA for HORA-PDE6b, a gene therapy for patients who have inherited retinal dystrophy caused by mutations in the PDE6b gene, according to a press release. HORA-PDE6b may significantly delay or halt retinal degeneration in PDE6b-deficient patients. The safety and efficacy of HORA-PDE6b has been evaluated in 24-month follow-up results from HORA-PDE6b phase I/II study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03328130).
New England College of Optometry partners with AI company to provide students with salary negotiation skills
The New England College of Optometry formed a strategic partnership with Relativ, a conversational analytics company that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to bridge the gap between education and the workplace, to pilot a simulation program designed to provide students with realistic, scenario-based training in salary negotiations. Specifically, by simulating real-world conversations with employers, the tool helps students build confidence, refine their communication skills, and learn to advocate for fair compensation effectively, according to a press release.
Prodege Insights, McDougall Communications team up to provide actionable industry insights
Prodege Insights and McDougall Communications announced a partnership to drive research innovation in vision correction and contact lens technology. Specifically, the Prodege team will work closely with McDougall to design actionable surveys that yield significant, reportable data outcomes, according to a press release. Also, Prodege’s data visualization and analysis team will collaborate with McDougall to effectively summarize findings prior to the partnership and creation of the comprehensive report for stakeholders.
RAND study reveals comprehensive eye exams cost-effective in service members
The cost-benefit analysis of comprehensive military eye examination policies, published in November by the RAND National Security Research Division, shows that baseline and regular comprehensive eye exams for all service members are cost-effective relative to basic acuity screenings. The study also reveals that more frequent exams provide greater benefit than less frequent ones. According to a press release from the American Optometric Association, the 72-page analysis demonstrates that comprehensive eye exams’ benefits exceed costs through the early diagnosis and timely intervention of ocular and visual dysfunctions. Read it in full here.
ViGeneron gets FDA Investigational New Drug clearance for retinal dystrophies gene therapy
ViGeneron GmbH, a clinical-stage gene therapy company, announced that the FDA has cleared the company’s Investigational New Drug application for the Phase 1/2 study of VG801, a gene therapy to treat Stargardt disease, among other retinal dystrophies associated with mutations in the ABCA4 gene. ViGeneron also announced that the FDA selected its proposal for the Rare Disease Endpoint Advancement pilot program, which is designed to foster innovation and advance rare disease drug development programs.
The Vision Council to host 300 for Executive Summit
The Vision Council will host 300 of the industry’s key decision makers at its 2025 Executive Summit at the Ritz-Carlton, in Santa Barbara, Calif. from Jan. 22 to Jan 24, 2025. Find more information here. Registration is still available. In other news, The Vision Council submitted a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Committee on Finance urging lawmakers to address specific expiring tax provisions that are vital to optical manufacturers, according to a press release. Read the full letter here. OM