Practice Tip: Promote the 20-20-20 rule to patients
One way to educate patients on preventing dry eye disease is to promote the 20-20-20 rule, writes Lisa Hornick, OD, MBA, FAAO, in her article “Educating patients on dry eye disease prevention.” As digital device use decreases one’s blink rate, “we should educate our patients that this rule is to look 20 feet away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes during digital device use, to give the eyes the opportunity to blink naturally to refresh the tear film. To help patients remember this rule, I recommend they place a Post-It Note on their computer or set an alarm on their smartphone,” she pens. Read more.
Eyenovia and SGN Nanopharmo partner on dry eye therapy
Eyenovia and SGN Nanopharmo have entered into a collaboration agreement to develop a treatment for chronic dry eye disease. Under the agreement, the companies will work to develop SGN’s Micellar Nanoparticle Platform (MNP)-based cyclosporine formulation for use with Eyenovia’s Optejet dispenser. The companies are currently validating the novel drug-device combination product’s manufacturability to support clinical testing and will then schedule a consultation meeting with the FDA to discuss clinical development. This is the second of such recent partnerships for Eyenovia. Read more.
HCP Cureblindness now Cure Blindness Project
HCP Cureblindness has rebranded to Cure Blindness Project, according to the company, this rebranding marks a strategic evolution to better encompass the organization’s expanded geographical footprint and its unwavering commitment to eliminating avoidable blindness worldwide, whatever its cause.
LKC Technology’s retinal device referenced in 200 publications
LKC Technologies announced that its RETeval handheld electroretinogram/visual evoked potential device has been referenced in more than 200 publications. This includes numerous studies highlighting its diverse applications, such as in autism and ADHD, according to a press release.
Ocular Therapeutix enrolls patients in phase 3 SOL-R clinical trial
Ocular Therapeutix Inc. announced that the first patients have been enrolled in the phase 3 SOL-R clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06495918) evaluating repeat dosing of axitinib intravitreal implant, OTX-TKI (Axpaxli) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration patients.
Prevent Blindness designates August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Prevent Blindness has once again declared August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. The goal of this designation is to educate parents, caregivers, professionals, and policymakers on the important role vision and eye health plays in a child’s development, learning ability, and social engagement, according to a press release. General information on children’s eye health and safety can be found at PreventBlindness.org/your-childs-sight.
Sharpview Ophthalmology to showcase IOL at European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons and Euretina meetings
EyeMax Mono IOL, designed for age-related macular degeneration patients, from Sharpview Ophthalmology, will be featured at the European Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and the Euretina annual congresses. The events will occur Sept. 6 to Sept. 10, 2024, and
Sept. 19 to Sept. 22, 2024, respectively, in Barcelona, Spain. For additional information about Sharpview Ophthalmology and EyeMax Mono, including safety information, visit www.sharpviewophthalmology.com.
Topcon Healthcare releases ophthalmic instrument stand
Topcon Healthcare, Inc., has launched the IS-6500, a digital instrument stand, in the United States, Latin American, and Canadian markets. The stand incorporates features that can be customized to allow the operator to control room lights, read lamp brightness, and binocular indirect retinoscopy brightness directly from its built-in touchscreen panel, according to a press release. Additionally, the stand features a redesigned slit lamp arm mechanism, allowing for single-handed adjustment. For more information on the IS-6500, contact your local U.S./Canadian Topcon Healthcare representative.
TFOS to take place Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 in Italy
The 10th annual International Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society’s Conference is set to take place Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2024, in Venice, Italy. Interested parties can visit the website to register.
Transitions Optical launches points program
Transitions Optical has launched a program for independent eye care optical locations called Transitions Points Plus. Through this program, participating locations will be eligible to earn points for pairs of Transitions lenses sold and can redeem them for different practice-building offerings, such as premium Transitions lens displays, according to a press release. To participate, an eye care professional in the practice must become a Transitions Expert by completing a series of short modules on light management and Transitions products. Eye care professionals interested in joining the Transitions Points Plus program can learn more and register at https://trade.transitions.com/PointsPlus.
Zeiss survey shows parents concerned about impact of children’s screen time
Zeiss Vision Care has released the results of a nationwide survey that shows parents are worried about how an increasingly digital-centric lifestyle will impact their child’s eyes, and acknowledge the importance of protection behaviors, according to a press release. Specifically, the survey reveals 88% of parents are concerned about the eye health of their children, as it relates to digital device use, and 57% say they’d spend money on their child’s eye health, even if there were no immediately tangible results (i.e., instantly seeing more clearly). The survey was comprised of parents who have children ages 18 and younger.