Practice Tip: Obtain binocular balance
“You or your team should work to obtain binocular balance when the patient’s VA is relatively the same in each eye,” writes Mark Wilkinson, OD, in his article, “A subjective refraction technique.” One of the steps involved is neutralizing eye dominance by adding +0.75 D sphere to both eyes to blur the patient’s VA to the levels of 20/30 to 20/40. For the other steps, read here. 

Ambient Medical Scribe harnesses AI technology for medical notations, codes
Compulink Healthcare Solutions and Quantum AI Health announced a strategic partnership to deliver an AI-powered Ambient Medical Scribe. Specifically, the technology reduces the time spent on data entry tasks for medical notes and leverages advanced generative AI and machine learning to automatically listen to the physician and patient during consultations, according to a press release. It then generates medical progress notes and ICD-10 billing codes within seconds of the exam’s conclusion.

Avulux Migraine and Light Sensitivity Lenses to come to Walman Optical centers
Avulux Migraine and Light Sensitivity Lenses have been added to the portfolio of Walman Optical. The lenses block the wavelengths linked to migraine attacks, according to a press release. The partnership includes a streamlined supply chain, exclusive bulk and wholesale offers, and comprehensive informational and promotional materials.

BostonSight’s FitAcademy educates students and fellows
BostonSight held its annual FitAcademy Retreat for Cornea and Contact Lens Residents and Fellows at New England College of Optometry in Boston, earlier in September. In its sixth iteration, FitAcademy provided education for cornea and contact lens residents and fellows at schools and colleges of optometry and accredited fellowship sites through the United States and Canada. Held at NECO’s Clinical Training Center, managing corneal and ocular surface disorders and scleral lens application and removal techniques were major topics.

Contact Lens Institute report shows contact lens satisfaction benefits for personalization, attention, and encouragement
The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) reports several straightforward, high-return actions by eye care practices have the potential to increase retention rates among new contact lens wearers, per consumer data. Specifically, the nationwide survey reveals that soft contact lens users benefit from more personalized care to suit their lifestyle needs, more attention from the entire practice team, more encouragement and training. In the survey, 86% of long-term contact lens patients characterized their overall satisfaction as high, with 67% of new wearers stating the same.

CooperCompanies recognized by Fast Company as a top workplace
CooperCompanies has been recognized as a Best Workplace for Innovators by Fast Company. Singled out specifically for creating a culture of employee development and belonging that inspires innovation, development of new products, and advocacy initiatives that aim to improve standard of care. The company was also included in the 2024 Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces in North America list and achieved a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.

EssilorLuxottica and Meta join forces for smart eyewear
EssilorLuxottica and Meta Platforms have entered into a long-term agreement to collaborate on multigenerational smart eyewear products. The companies have been collaborating successfully since 2019. This collaboration has resulted in Ray-Ban-branded smart glasses. 

Myopia Collective brings together change agents in Chicago
The inaugural Myopia Collective workshop brought together eye care professionals from around the country to discuss delivering myopia control to patients and best practices to collaborate. The multiday workshop took place earlier in the month in Chicago.

Nanoscope gets green light for phase 3 study of MCO-010
Nanoscope Therapeutics announced a productive end-of-phase 2 meeting with the FDA for its clinical program evaluating MCO-010 for the treatment of severe vision loss due to Stargardt macular degeneration (SMD). The discussion provided clear input on the proposed phase 3 registrational trial in patients with SMD intended to support safety and effectiveness of the therapy. The proposed study design will consist of a single MCO-010 intravitreal dose group, randomized 1:1 to a control cohort receiving a sham injection.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine publishes myopia report
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) published “Myopia: Causes, Prevention and Treatment of an Increasingly Common Disease,” which highlights the broad impact the condition has on health, education, and the lifelong potential of an individual, according to a press release. To access the report, click here.

OneSpot launches billing tool
OneSpot, from RevCycle Partners, launched a cloud-based claim-scrubbing module for eye care practices. Called Claim Scrubber, it automates claim reviews. Specifically, billers submit a batch of claims to the scrubber before submitting them to clearinghouse or payer portals. The tool provides immediate feedback with detailed error and warning information, enabling resolutions for each issue, according to a press release.

Prevent Blindness celebrates Inflammatory Eye Disease Awareness Week
Prevent Blindness celebrated the past week with its fourth annual Inflammatory Eye Disease Awareness Week, delivering free educational resources, including fact sheets, social media graphics in English and Spanish, a dedicated webpage, and expert videos— all supported by a grant from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. 

Transitions Optical launches consumer campaign promoting Gen S lenses
Transitions Optical launched a consumer media campaign in promotion of Transitions Gen S lenses. The campaign will drive potential buyers to the “Where to Buy Transitions” online locator (at www.transitions.com/en-us/where-to-buy). Eye care professionals and practices interested in benefiting from the campaign can learn more at https://trade.transitions.com/whatshot. 

The Vision Council releases report on safety eyewear consumption
The Vision Council’s latest report, “Focused inSights 2024: Safety Eyewear” explores consumers’ preferences for the category. For those who regularly participate in sports, the use of protective sports eyewear is especially high, with the most common usage for swimming. For those who wear safety glasses or goggles, most do so while working on home improvement projects or at work, according to the report. Most safety eyewear is purchased online or at big box stores, and when deciding to purchase safety eyewear, fit, material, and shape are important factors. Full details of the report can be found at The Vision Councils’ research download center (https://thevisioncouncil.org/research-reports).

Virtual Vision Health redesigns Virtual Eye Device use interface
Virtual Vision Health, a company focused on virtual reality eye care technology, redesigned the user interface for its Virtual Eye Device in preparation for the addition of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity assessments, according to a press release. Virtual Eye’s existing capabilities to allow doctors to “efficiently and accurately” diagnose their patient’s eye health, include visual fields, color sensitivity, and progression analysis, among others. For more information, visit https://virtualvision.health. 

World Council of Optometry calls for CE courses for Optometry’s Meeting 2025
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) has opened the call for courses for the CE program at Optometry’s Meeting 2025, in Minneapolis, Minn, according to a press release. WCO-selected CE courses will be held on Thursday, June 26, and Friday, June 27, 2025. To submit lecture courses by the deadline of Oct. 22, 2024, 11:59 pm CT,  click here.