PRACTICE TIP: When to order OCT for patients with diabetes
Optometrists should order optical coherence tomography (OCT) for any patients with diabetes who have either unexplained reduced visual acuity or clinical suspicion of DME, such as microaneurysms and hard exudates, writes Dr. Anna Bedwell in her article “Recognizing the early signs of diabetic eye disease.” Dr. Bedwell explains how to then act on the resulting OCT images in her full article, which can be found here.
Note: Items ending in an * were edited with AI assistance.
RESEARCH NOTES:
- AEYE Health received FDA clearance for its autonomous AI for portable screening of diabetic retinopathy. This handheld technology, according to AEYE, improves on efficacy and imageability, with over 99% diagnostic success using a single image per eye. AEYE sees its technology as a chance to help the millions affected by diabetic retinopathy worldwide, according to a press release.*
- Aurion Biotech completed dosing for all subjects in its Phase 1/2 clinical trial (CLARA) of AURN001. The therapy targets corneal edema secondary to corneal endothelial dysfunction. AURN001, a combination cell therapy, is a minimally invasive, one-time intracameral injection. The trial, involving 97 subjects across US and Canadian sites, aims to evaluate safety, tolerability, and efficacy, with a primary focus on vision improvement. More information can be found here.*
- SightGlass Vision will present new data surrounding its Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT 0.2) spectacle lenses from four studies at the ARVO 2024 Annual Meeting. The CATHAY study builds on SightGlass Vision’s long-term CYPRESS trial, and is a two-year, randomized, controlled clinical trial of children ages 6 to 13 across five sites in China. For more information, click here.
CLI reports on actions to attract new and returning contact lens wearers
The Contact Lens Institute has published an in-depth report on everyday actions that the eye care community can take to draw interest from potential and former contact lens wearers. Based on research with more than 1,000 vision-corrected adults segmented by glasses-only wearers, new contact lens wearers, and contact lens dropouts, “Beyond Vision: Behaviors to Attract New & Returning Contact Lens Wearers” contains many key takeaways and implementation tips. It is available for download here.
Essilor Luxottica & WCO release resolution for global standard of presbyopia care
EssilorLuxottica and the World Council of Optometry (WCO) released a global standard of care for presbyopia and the aging eye. The resolution aims to set a benchmark through evidence-based resources that center on the eyecare practitioner’s attention on mitigating, measuring, and managing presbyopia. It also advises eyecare practitioners to incorporate the standard of care for presbyopia and the aging eye within their practice that shifts from not only correcting vision but includes public education and early and frequent discussions to provide ongoing presbyopia awareness. View the complete standard of care document here.
GATORZ Eyewear and Navy SEAL Foundation release limited-edition glasses
GATORZ Eyewear and the Navy SEAL Foundation jointly released the Navy SEAL Foundation Limited Edition GATORZ Delta sunglasses, according to a press release. The limited-edition glasses feature gold mirror lenses and the NSF logo, and come packaged in a branded pouch and a functional ammo can eyewear hard case. The glasses are limited to 300 units and will retail for $230. At least 15% of sales will directly benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation.*
Glaukos takes home Stevie Award
Glaukos received a Stevie Award for Marketing Campaign of the Year for its keratoconus consumer awareness campaign. The bronze-level distinction from the American Business Association recognizes the consumer awareness focus of the campaign, created with agency partner PRECISIONeffect, centered around the www.livingwithkeratoconus.com website supported by social media and collateral breaking down keratoconus signs and symptoms, risks, and possible rapid progression.
ISS returns space station's vision-related research to Earth
Research on a novel vision loss therapy and space-manufactured optical fibers were among the nearly 565 pounds of science and technology payloads sponsored by the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory that splashed down off the Florida coast Tuesday morning as NASA concluded SpaceX’s 30th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission. The more than 40 ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations include a novel gene therapy to prevent and possibly reverse vision loss from age-related macular degeneration, and a project examining the manufacture of high-value, optical-quality glass materials. For the full press release, click here.
Lighthouse Guild awarded $75,000 grant
Lighthouse Guild has been awarded a $75,000 AMDF Thrive Award to conduct research into assistive technology for vision impairment, according to a press release. The goal is to provide objective information that will help people with vision impairment determine which devices will work best for them. According to a press release, Lighthouse Guild is motivated in this research by the growing number of people worldwide suffering from vision impairments. One billion people have such impairments, particularly due to age-related vision diseases like macular degeneration, and the number is expected to double by 2050.*
LVPEI and CORE sign partnership agreement
LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) and the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) have entered into a strategic partnership to advance vision science research and therapeutic development. The agreement includes several key focus areas: joint research initiatives, therapeutic development, knowledge exchange and capacity building, and innovation. Both organizations are establishing the joint operating models for the partnership.
NECO announces award recipients for 2024 commencement
The Board of Trustees at New England College of Optometry (NECO) has announced its honorary degree recipient, two Presidential Medal awardees, and six valedictorians as part of its 130th commencement exercises to be held on May 19, 2024, at Boston’s Symphony Hall. The honorary degree will be awarded to Jane Gwiazda, PhD, a Professor Emeriti at NECO who was the director of research and director of graduate studies. The presidential medal will be awarded to Marjorie Axelrad, editorial director Emeritus of Vision Monday and VMAIL, and Marc Ferrara, executive consultant for Jobson Optical Group. The full list of awardees can be found here.
NORA calls for submissions
The Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) is accepting abstracts for consideration for its 2024 General Conference, Sept. 19 to 22, in Kissimmee, Fla. NORA members and non-members can submit an abstract for consideration on or before June 15, 2024. Visit this link for information on how to submit an abstract and poster presentation guideline.
In other NORA news, the organization is offering up to 10 students and residents with an interest in neurorehabilitation an opportunity to apply for a grant to attend its General Conference. Each grant recipient will receive full conference registration and $500 in travel grant funds. To apply for the grant, students/residents must fill out an application form, which should be mailed to noraconference@gmail.com. The deadline for submission is June 15, 2024.
Prevent Blindness opens registration for virtual summit
Prevent Blindness announced that its 13th Annual Focus on Eye Health Summit will be hosted as a virtual interactive event from July 10-11. The theme for this year is “Being Seen and Heard,” with the goal to amplify and educate on the importance of a person-centered approach to vision health interventions, research, communications, and care. Stacey B. Lee, JD, Professor of Law and Ethics at the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School, will give the keynote address, titled “The Patient Voice,” on July 10. Registration and more information can be found by clicking here.
Two award-recipients will also be honored at the summit. “Mission for Vision” will be given the Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health. Erica Shelton, OD, MS, FAAO, clinical instruction and PhD candidate, The Ohio State University College of Optometry, has been named the recipient of the Rising Visionary Award. More information can be found here.
Qlaris Bio secures funding for IOP treatment
Qlaris Bio has secured a $24 million Series B financing round, to support its work in ophthalmic disease treatments, according to a company press release. Co-led by Canaan and New Leaf Venture Partners, with participation from abrdn Inc. and existing investors, Mayo Clinic Ventures and Correlation Ventures, this funding will assist the clinical development of QLS-111. QLS-111 targets intraocular pressure (IOP) by focusing on episcleral venous pressure (EVP), with ongoing Phase 2 trials for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.*
Southern College of Optometry bestows honorary degrees
The Southern College of Optometry, as part of its 2024 commencement on May 7, will recognize two alumni and one industry professional for their contributions to the field of optometry. The honorees are:
- Doctor of Ocular Science - Dr. Fred Farias III, OD (Class of 1987)
- Doctor of Humane Letters - Dave Sattler (former SCO board trustee)
- Lifetime Achievement Award - Dr. Barry Winston, OD (Class of 1974)
Topcon invests in AI-powered Alzheimer diagnostic technology
RetiSpec received investment from Topcon Healthcare to help bring RetiSpec’s AI-powered eye diagnostics for brain health to market. RetiSpec’s AI technology is designed to predict amyloid burden, a core biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease even before symptoms emerge. Currently, the test is available for research use only; however, once commercialized and integrated with Topcon Harmony, a device-inclusive and cloud-based clinical data management platform, it will enable early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and facilitate timely access to care. More information can be found here.