Informed decision-making at the point of prescribing meds

EyeMedsNow is an information portal that allows ECPs to easily obtain clear information they need to confidently determine the optimal medication for any eye disease. As an online search engine, EyeMedsNow can be at the prescribers’ fingertips at the time of prescribing. (Adobe Stock / C Malambo/peopleimages.com)

EyeMedsNow is a free online software as a service (SaaS) platform that offers eye care providers (ECPs) immediate access to an extensive database of prescription and OTC medications used in the treatment of eye diseases. In other words, EyeMedsNow is an information portal that allows ECPs to easily obtain clear information they need to confidently determine the optimal medication for any eye disease. As an online search engine, EyeMedsNow can be at the prescribers’ fingertips at the time of prescribing.

Users select the patient’s specific condition from the comprehensive drop-down menu of more than 120 conditions. From this screen, they then can quickly focus the scope of their search by entering terms from more drop-down menus listing: drug classification, OTC/prescription, route of administration, and patient age. Alternatively, users can enter any term in the search term box. There is also a check-off for payment assistance.

Each card includes key information such as: indications, recommended dosing, how supplied, contraindications, adverse reactions, and warnings and precautions. In addition, each card contains the medication’s route of administration and links to external systems that give the prescriber insight on pricing—all designed with icons to represent the properties of each drug on a two-panel display, allowing the user to click on “show more” to view additional content.

New FDA ophthalmic drug approvals are added monthly. Additionally, EyeMedsNow monitors changes in package inserts for each drug in its database; this is how EyeMedsNow keeps user ECP’s knowledge base current.

Recognizing the importance of treating dry eye disease, EyeMedsNow has a separate "tears” section. Prescribers can easily search the database of tear supplements by: active ingredient, how supplied, manufacturer, preservative type, excluded preservative, and viscosity. This data helps ECPs to identify the most effective tear supplement for their patients.

EyeMedsNow also provides an easy-to-use weight-based calculator. By clicking on the calculator icon, ECPs can enter the patient’s weight, recommended dose, frequency, and medication strength and obtain the correct dosing every time—in mgs, mLs, tablets, or capsules.

Scott Jens, OD, FAAO is the Business Advisor for EyeMedsNow. The comprehensive drug database was developed and is updated by Megan Taylor, OD, FAAO, private practice, and Gregory Nixon, OD, FAAO, The Ohio State University. Philip Yuhas, OD, PhD, FAAO, also from The Ohio State University, monitors new FDA drug approvals.

EyeMedsNow has a unique role in educating ECP students and residents. As a result, increasing numbers of students are registering on EyeMedsNow. Using EyeMedsNow prepares students for patient care when they begin practicing. To facilitate communication among students, our Student Intern, Erin Hudson, has just launched an Instagram account.

EyeMedsNow is currently seeking a potential strategic partner/acquirer that can benefit from taking this technology to the next level. With more than 2,700 registrants, EyeMedsNow has developed a solid basis that can be leveraged to provide a valuable service to ECP’s across the country.