This week in optometry: January 14-January 19
A look back on what's happened in optometry during the week of Jan. 14-Jan. 19.
Check out what Optometry Times®' shared this week:
Optometry news
Reviewing what is in the anterior segment topical ophthalmic pipeline
By Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO
Recent ophthalmic therapeutic developments making headlines in the treatment of posterior segment ocular conditions have overshadowed the many therapeutic developments utilizing topically administered ophthalmic agents in the treatment of anterior segment conditions. Topically administered ophthalmic agents in late-stage development, and those under regulatory evaluation, are truly innovative with a focus on first-in-class indications and advancements in drug delivery.
Recent ophthalmic therapeutic developments making headlines in the treatment of posterior segment ocular conditions have overshadowed the many therapeutic developments utilizing topically administered ophthalmic agents in the treatment of anterior segment conditions. Topically administered ophthalmic agents in late-stage development, and those under regulatory evaluation, are truly innovative with a focus on first-in-class indications and advancements in drug delivery.
Decrease in endothelial cell density continues after iris-fixated phakic IOL explantation
By Lynda Charters
An iris-fixed intraocular lens (IOL) resulted in a significant decrease in endothelial cell density (ECD) 2 years after explantation,1 according to Tae Young Kim, MD, and colleagues. Kim is from the Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, both in Seoul, Korea.
The research team retrospectively studied the long-term corneal endothelial cell changes and visual outcomes after this iris-fixated phakic IOL was explanted in patients with endothelial damage and investigated any potential predictors of endothelial injury.
Reviewing a patient’s systemic history is critical when treating for OSD
By Kent Uehara, OD, FAAO; Katherine M. Mastrota, MS, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO
When triaging patients suspected of having ocular surface disease, reviewing systemic history and medications is critical. As the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society Dry Eye Workshop II reported, there are myriad systemic medications associated with dry eye, and the list grows every year1 as more adverse effects (AEs) from old medications are reported and new medications are brought to market.
Below is a unique case of conjunctivitis with limbitis in a patient on dupilumab (Dupixent; Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals), a systemic medication used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis that has been associated with a variety of AEs involving the anterior eye.
IDOC and Three Rivers Optical announce merger
By Emily Kaiser, Assistant Managing Editor
This week, IDOC—the largest independent optometric alliance—and Three Rivers Optical—a top independent optical laboratory—announced a merger, which will unite their shared mission of continuing growth and success of eye care professionals. The intention is to create an unmatched suite of practice enhancement and lab services for independent practices by leveraging their combined 75+ year history of serving the optometry community.
Both IDOC and Three Rivers Optical will continue to operate under their current names and with their existing leadership inside the combined company. This includes Steve Seibert and Mary Ann Zappas, who are the second generation of family ownership of Three Rivers Optical.
Over one-quarter of US adults over 71 years have visual impairment
By Lynda Charters
In excess of 25% of adults in the US who are 71 years and older have visual impairment. The differences in visual function were based on socioeconomic and demographic factors,1 according to first author Olivia Killeen, MD, MS, from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
She and her colleagues conducted a survey-based study to determine the current updated national prevalence estimates of vision impairment and blindness among older US adults based on objective visual function testing.
FDA clears the first early-detection sepsis test in emergency department-focused diagnostic tools
By Kassi Jackson, Editor
Cytovale announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its IntelliSep test to aid in the early detection of sepsis for the approximately 30 million adult patients with signs and symptoms of infection who present to US emergency departments (ED) each year.
This diagnostic tool that helps clinicians recognize sepsis and supports critical time-sensitive clinical decisions, providing test results in under 10 minutes. The first in a new class of ED-focused diagnostic tools that assess host response, IntelliSep provides actionable answers directly from a standard blood draw.
Small aperture IOL technology offers benefits to patients, optometrists
By Corina van de Pol, OD, PhD, FAAO
Astronomers and photographers have understood the proven physiologic principle of small aperture optics for centuries. When applied to a camera, the lens aperture or f-stop adjusts the amount of light that reaches the film or image sensor.
As the aperture reduces, image clarity across an increasing range of distances improves. For example, when taking a picture, everything from close in the field of view and everything in between is going to be clear. Whereas, if you have a fixed focus or a larger aperture, the lens is set is in focus but everything behind and in front of the object is out of focus (Figure 1).
By the 1940s, eye care began finding uses for the small aperture, but only now has the powerful principle been incorporated into a presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens (IOL). FDA approval of the IC-8 Apthera IOL (AcuFocus) represents the first such small aperture IOL technology cleared for use in the United States.
