This week in optometry: March 3-March 9
A look back on what's happened in optometry during the week of March 3-March 9.
Catch up with what Optometry Times®' shared this week:
Optometry news
SECO 2023 coverage
By Emily Kaiser, Assistant Managing Editor; Kassi Jackson, Editor
The Optometry Times® editorial team brought you on-the-ground coverage of the 2023 annual SECO meeting—which happened to be the 100 year anniversary—held March 1-March 5 in Atlanta, Georgia.
From keeping an eye on geographic atrophy with Dr. Mohammad Rafieetary to managing myopic patients through lifestyle interventions with Dr. Ashley Wallace-Tucker, as well as valuing yourself in your contact lens practice with Dr. Shalu Pal to lasers in optometry with Drs. Nate Lighthizer and Chris Wroten, optometrists spent their time at SECO learning about the latest and greatest cutting edge technologies and innovations.
Breaking into lens tech
By Raanan Naftalovich
If you ask me, there is no more exciting, interesting, or dynamic industry than that of lens technology. Yes, you could say I’m biased—after all, I’ve spent my entire professional life within that space. I began at Shamir at the tender age of 18, naive, inexperienced, and hungry, but have had the great pleasure of working my way up and eventually becoming president of Shamir North America. And what a ride it’s been.
It seems as if every year we’ve had a front row seat to some of the most exciting innovations in lenses, coatings, materials, and more. And what’s even more satisfying is that with each new development, spurred on by our own and other groundbreaking developers, we’ve had the good fortune to change the lives of millions of customers around the world—helping people see better and live better.
So to all young entrepreneurs out there, itching to dive in and make waves in optical technology, I’d like to pass on some of the most important lessons I’ve learned, and perhaps help the next generation take the reins and push the industry even further.
Recall of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution voluntarily issued by Apotex Corp.
By Kassi Jackson, Editor
With guidance of the US FDA, Apotex Corp. has initiated a voluntary recall at the consumer level for 6 lots of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.15%, distributed nationwide in the United States between April 5, 2022 to February 22, 2023.1 Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution is an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
IKA Keratoconus Symposium 2023: Front to back and everything in between
By Lynda Charters
The 1st Annual International Keratoconus Academy (IKA) of Eye Care Professionals Keratoconus Symposium will take place April 22-23, 2023, at the Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This new hybrid, interactive conference for optometrists, ophthalmologists, and other eye care professionals involved in keratoconus management will promote ongoing professional education and scientific development in keratoconus and other forms of corneal ectasia. The topics covered will include using new diagnostic technologies, maximizing keratoconus management in clinical practice, and amplifying clinician voices on keratoconus best practices.
The cochairs of the event are IKA CEO and cofounder S. Barry Eiden, OD, FAAO, FSLS, North Suburban Vision Consultants, Deerfield, Illinois; IKA president and cofounder Andrew S. Morgenstern, OD, FAAO, FNAP, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; and IKA executive board member Elizabeth Yeu, MD, Virginia Eye Consultants, Norfolk.
Pharmedica USA Purely Soothing 15% MSM eye drops recalled due to non-sterility
By Kassi Jackson, Editor; Emily Kaiser, Assistant Managing Editor
Pharmedica USA LLC has voluntarily recalled two lots of Purely Soothing 15% MSM eye drops due to non-sterility at the consumer level. No adverse events or illness have been reported at the time of recall, but the FDA urges consumers to stop use of the drops and return bottles to the place of purchase. Retailers and wholesalers should immediately pause distribution and return stock to Pharmedica USA or verify proper disposal with the FDA.
Management of chronic allergic eye disease
By Micaela Crowley, OD
Ocular allergies, like systemic allergies, can vary in severity, and medical treatment should be adjusted accordingly.
First-line options such as allergen avoidance, cool compresses, preservative-free lubricating eye drops, and over-the-counter medications like mast-cell stabilizers, antihistamines, and combination eye drops are a reasonable approach to seasonal or intermittent allergic conjunctivitis that responds well to management.1
Practical management EP 7: Tips to succeed in increasing revenue
By Maria Sampalis, OD; Kassi Jackson, Editor
Continuing the conversation on practice management, Maria Sampalis, OD, shares tips on how to succeed in increasing revenue.
