PRACTICE TIP: Instill an artificial tear before topography
Before performing topography, instill an artificial tear in the eyes of the patient. This improves patient comfort by reducing the dryness of the eye, which in turn helps reduce the need for retakes. This recommendation comes from Susan Resnick, OD, FAAO, one of several contributors to Optometric Management who shared efficiency and accuracy “hacks” for optometry pretesting. Read the full article here.

RESEARCH NOTES:

• Azura Ophthalmics has enrolled the first patient in the ASTRO study, a phase 3 clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of AZR-MD-001 in patients with clinical signs and symptoms of meibomian gland dysfunction. The multicenter, double-masked, vehicle-controlled, randomized trial seeks to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of AZR-MD-001, sterile ophthalmic ointment 0.5%, compared to vehicle in patients with MGD and associated symptoms of dry eye disease. The primary efficacy sign is the change from baseline to month 3 in meibomian glands yielding liquid secretion (MGYLS; 0 to 15 scale). The primary efficacy symptom is the change from baseline to month 3 in the total Ocular Surface Disease Index score (0 to 100 scale).
• Harrow announced results from its ESSENCE‑2 open-label extension (OLE) clinical study for VEVYE (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.1%. The one-year study results, published in Cornea, demonstrated VEVYE’s sustained safety and efficacy in treating the signs and symptoms of DED, underscoring its value in managing this chronic condition. More information can be found here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

Alcon and World Council of Optometry extend DED education program
Alcon and the World Council of Optometry (WCO) are extending their education initiative to advance global, evidence-based dry eye disease (DED) education. The initiative began two years ago. As part of the renewed collaboration, an update to the existing WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel is now available. A dedicated website at dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info includes a series of dry eye webinars recorded with world-renowned opinion leaders and also provides a collection of resources that can be used in clinical and educational settings.

BioTissue begins shipment of CAM360 AmnioGraft
CAM360 AmnioGraft, from BioTissue, is a hydrated, shelf-stable cryopreserved amniotic membrane solution, which has begun shipping nationwide. The ringless cryopreserved amniotic membrane solution is a ringless CAM that does not require refrigeration. Its adhesive properties ensure that the produce stays placed under a bandage contact lens. For more information about BioTissue and CAM360 AG, click here.

Latinos en Optometry appoints new board of directors member
Non-profit group Latinos en Optometry announced the appointment of Sandra Juarez Fortenberry, OD, FAAO to the Latinos en Optometry board of directors. Dr. Fortenberry is part of the founding faculty at the Rosenberg School of Optometry (RSO) and has served as director of continuing education, director of Professional Relations, and assistant dean for professional advancement during her time at RSO. On June 1, 2022, she became the first female Hispanic dean of an optometry school in the nation. For more information on Latinos en Optometry, which promotes representation of Latinos and Spanish-speaking professionals within optometry, click here.

Lumbird Medical’s POCKET III pachymeter now available
POCKET III, from Quantel Medical by Lumbird Medical, is a light, connected pachymeter with an ergonomic compact design. It has an extended measurement range from 150 μm to 1200 μm, due to 30 MHz probe. Its dedicated holder allows the probe tip to be soaked safely in disinfectant solution, and the pachymeter is CE-marked and FDA 510k-approved. More information can be found here.

Lumenis OptiLIGHT partners with U.S. athletes
Two U.S. athletes have partnered with Lumenis to share how the company’s OptiLIGHT technology helped improve their dry eye symptoms. Volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings, a three-time gold medalist in the summer Olympics, shared her experience with OptiLIGHT on her Instagram page. Track and field athlete Chari Hawkins, who seeks to qualify for the U.S. track and field team for this summer’s Olympics in Paris, shared her experience with OptiLIGHT on a Times Square billboard (and posted about it on her Facebook page).

National Vision opens 1,000th store
National Vision, Inc., celebrated the opening of its 1,000th “America’s Best” eyewear store, located in south Philadelphia at 2230 West Oregon Avenue. The May 31 opening included a performance by the Fralinger String Band Mummers; the store marks the 34th that National Vision has opened in the greater Philadelphia area.

Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association Awards open for nominations
Award nominations are now being accepted by the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International (NORA). The awards offered include: the Advancement of Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Award; Advancement of Sciences Award; Founding Fathers Award; William and Diana Ludlum Educators Award; Gus Forkiotis Student Award; and the President’s Award. Submissions are due by July 15. Information on the individual awards and submission guidelines can be found here.

Prevent Blindness declares June Cataract Awareness Month
June has been declared Cataract Awareness Month by Prevent Blindness, which will be providing patients and professionals with free educational resources on cataracts. These consumer resources, available in English and Spanish, include fact sheets, social media graphics, and listings of vision care financial assistance programs. For free information on cataract or cataract surgery, click here. For a listing of vision care financial assistance programs in English and Spanish, click here.

UnitedHealthCare Vision joins Global Myopia Awareness Coalition
UnitedHealthcare recently joined the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC), with Lori Archer, UnitedHealthcare Vision CEO, being appointed as board member. GMAC seeks to promote awareness of myopia in children as a treatable disease and advocate for the use of proven interventions. 

VSP Vision appoints new insurance officer
Usha Patil has been appointed the new chief insurance officer for VSP Vision. She will lead the organization’s not-for-profit vision benefits business, VSP Vision Care, which serves more than 85 million members. Patil joins VSP Vision from UnitedHealth Group, where she spent the last 14 years in a variety of senior leadership roles, most recently leading operations for UnitedHealthcare’s individual and family ACA plans.