What happened in optometry this week: December 30 - January 3
Catch up on what happened in optometry during the week of December 30-January 3.
Catch up with what Optometry Times shared this week:
What's in store for optometrists in 2025 and beyond?
By Jordana Joy, Associate Editor, and Emily Kaiser Maharjan, Assistant Managing Editor
Optometrists envision significant advancements in their field over the next 5 years. Key changes include embracing a medical eye care model, addressing patients' sports and recreational needs, increasing awareness of the profession's capabilities, and adopting light therapy for various conditions. They anticipate the development of new treatments like eye drops and oral medications for diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. There is also excitement about artificial intelligence-enhanced retinal screening tools and a holistic approach to patient care, incorporating lifestyle factors like nutrition and exercise. Lastly, there is a push for better inter-referral systems and comanagement among optometrists and ophthalmologists to enhance patient care.
Cost-benefit analysis report recommends military service members receive regular comprehensive eye exams
By Jordana Joy, Associate Editor
A recent report conducted by nonprofit research organization RAND found that developing a policy requiring periodic comprehensive eye examinations for all military service members would benefit military readiness, rather than conducting basic visual acuity screenings. Although comprehensive eye examinations require additional costs, the report cited that its benefits outweigh any cost concerns.1
Report authors are listed as Raffaele Vardavas, PhD, MSci; Philip Armour, PhD; Sai Prathyush Katragadda, MS; Toyya Pujol-Mitchell, PhD; Pedro Nascimento de Lima, PhD; Baqir Fateh; Helin Hernandez, PhD; Stacey Yi, PhD candidate; Javier Rojas Aguilera; and Catria Gadwah-Meaden; PhD candidate.1
EnVision Summit 2025: Education for all ages and levels of expertise
By Bonnie An Henderson, MD; Sheryl Stevenson, Eye Care Group Editorial Director; and Emily Kaiser Maharjan, Assistant Managing Editor
The EnVision Summit boasts more than just excellent education for optometrists; it also has a family-friendly youth program to keep kids engaged while their parents earn CE credits. Bonnie An Henderson, MD, the cofounder and program director of EnVision Summit, shares some of her favorite parts of the youth program, which is designed for children of all ages, as well as some details about the trainee program, which offers free registrations to residents, fellows, and students. Sheryl Stevenson of the Eye Care Network questions her about the unique qualities of the programs and how they set the EnVision Summit apart. This year's Summit will take place in Puerto Rico, February 14-17, 2025.
Comparing brolucizumab and aflibercept for treating DME
By Lynda Charters
A recent study that compared 2 anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs for treating diabetic macula edema (DME) found that brolucizumab (Beovu, Novartis) was non-inferior in functional outcomes and superior to aflibercept (Eylea, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals) in anatomic parameters,1 according to first author Leonardo B. Justino from the Division of Medicine, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. He was joined in this study by researchers from the Division of Ophthalmology, Governador Celso Ramos Hospital, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil, Tufts Medical Center, New England Eye Center, Boston; and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami.
Brainstorming eye care research expansion with unlimited resources
By Jordana Joy, Associate Editor; Emily Kaiser Maharjan, Assistant Managing Editor; Shane Kannarr, OD; Andrew D. Pucker, OD, PhD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA; Bridgitte Shen Lee, OD, FAAO, FBCLA, FEAOO; Erin Rueff, OD, PHD, FAAO; and Mark Bullimore, MCOptom, PhD
In discussing areas of eye care research that optometrists would prioritize if they had unlimited resources, several key themes emerge. Dry eye and anterior segment diseases are a major focus for Shane Kannarr, OD, who sees a high prevalence of these conditions in their clinic. He is also particularly interested in finding ways to prevent vision loss from early diabetic retinopathy, which is common in the rural community they serve. Early intervention is seen as crucial for managing these serious eye health issues.
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