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Articles

Incorporating peripheral OCTs into your practice provides valuable insights which may alter your clinical diagnosis.

Taking your OCT outside of the posterior pole

Researchers hypothesize that lamivudine was effective in the clinical trial against DME because the drug blocks the activity of inflammasomes.

HIV drug lamivudine holds potential for patients with DME, researchers find

Bryce St. Clair, OD, MPH, authors the June edition of the Cultural Responsiveness Blog, and urges doctors to consider cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds when caring for patients.

Individualizing optometry care to all patient populations

The ophthalmology platform Optegra operates more than 70 eye hospitals and diagnostic facilities in 5 European markets.

EssilorLuxottica slated to acquire Optegra clinics

Optometry Times delivers clinical news, practice insights, and research updates by optometrists for optometrists to advance care and patient outcomes.

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As technology improves, less-invasive treatments save patients time and money.

In-office procedures are new option for managing cataracts, glaucoma, and lesions

A growing number of less complex and invasive treatments are offering ODs more options for patient care. 

Evolution of in-office glaucoma surgical procedures

A new handheld device developed by University of Missouri – St Louis (UMSL) researchers works to detect and treat amblyopia early and utilizes the Quantitative 3 Dot (Q3D) Test to identify visual suppression.

 The device was developed by Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor Carl Bassi and research collaborators Michael Howe and Wayne Garver and has been licensed by Forus Health, according to a news release.

“I really do think it's going to be something that's going to help a lot of people,” Bassi said in the release. “I do think it can make a difference in the world.”

He stated in the release that he first came up with the idea for the device in the early 1990s, having just joined the UMSL faculty, while examining the vision of patients with Alzheimer disease. Bassi and his colleagues were modifying existing pediatric techniques in order to gauge binocular function, with one of the main screening tests being the Worth Four Dot Test.

“The problem is it's not quantitative,” Bassi said in the release. “It just gives you this gross kind of yes or no, and you have to have a severe problem before you're able to pick anything up with that. My idea very early on was to try to change the intensity of these lights independently. We had to wait for a long time until technology kind of caught up with doing what we wanted to do because it took the development of not only LED lights but super bright LED lights that were needed to do the test right.”

By being able to alter the intensity of these lights, the researchers have been able to detect vision suppression associated with amblyopia much soon than previous methods allowed.

Then, in 2014, they won a $50,000 FastTrack award from the University of Missouri System to create working prototypes for the device. After being studied at the UMSL Eye Care clinic, the Q3D device was involved in a clinical trial with more than 300 patients enrolled at the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, led by Oscar A Cruz, MD, and Bradley Davitt, MD. Trial results demonstrated that Q3D can be used on patients as young as 3 years and is a significantly more sensitive predictor of visual suppression when compared with current methods. Specifically, Q3D detected 4 times the number of impairments in patients with amblyopia as the Worth Four Dot Test.

"At Forus Health, our mission has always been to enable early, equitable, and impactful eye care,” said K. Chandrasekhar, the founder and CEO of Forus Health, in the release. “This commitment drives every innovation we pursue and every partnership we form, as we strive to make advanced eye care accessible to all, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status. Licensing the Q3D technology aligns perfectly with that vision. It represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to equip clinicians with cutting-edge tools that enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. By bringing a more sensitive and accessible diagnostic tool for amblyopia into the hands of clinicians, we have the opportunity to change the trajectory of vision outcomes for millions of children worldwide.

“We are proud to collaborate with the team at UMSL to take this innovation from lab to life, transforming early detection into early intervention."

Q3D diagnostic testing device developed at UMSL allows for earlier detection, treatment of amblyopia or “lazy eye.” News release. University of Missouri – St Louis. June 4, 2025. Accessed June 6, 2025.

The device was developed by Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor Carl Bassi and research collaborators Michael Howe and Wayne Garver of the University of Missouri – St Louis.

Researchers develop handheld device to improve early detection, treatment of amblyopia 

This quiz accompanies THIS article from our December issue

c. One-third eye width, canthus to canthus

d. One-third eye fissure opening vertically

Quiz: Know the ocular effects of eyelash growth serums

Mitch Ibach, OD, FAAO, details a presentation he gave with Tanner Ferguson, MD, at the Collaborative Care Symposium 2025.

CCS 2025: Tackling the complexities of glaucoma management

Alongside Tanner Ferguson, MD, Mitch Ibach, OD, FAAO, focused on glaucoma management and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) in a Collaborative Care Symposium (CCS) 2025 presentation. Ibach emphasized interventional approaches and collaborative care between optometrists and ophthalmologists. Ibach highlights 4 primary modalities for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP):

Drug delivery devices (2 FDA-approved options)

Laser trabeculoplasty (specifically direct selective laser trabeculoplasty or DSLT)

Glaucoma surgeries, including MIGS and incisional surgeries like tubes and traps

A key theme is the complexity of glaucoma treatment, with Ibach noting there's no single "magic bullet" cure. Patients often experience a dynamic treatment journey, cycling through different interventions like selective laser trabeculoplasty, medication adjustments, and surgical procedures. The presentation strongly emphasizes collaborative care, with several critical recommendations:

Establish clear communication between referring doctors and surgical centers

Set explicit expectations about patient management post-intervention

Understand the interplay of various treatment technologies

Ibach passionately advocates for professional collaboration, highlighting that optometrists and ophthalmologists have complementary skills. Although optometrists don't perform intraocular surgeries, and ophthalmologists may not want to manage routine vision care, they can work together effectively to provide comprehensive patient care. A significant pearl of wisdom is not to miss opportunities for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, particularly during cataract surgery. This moment represents a critical intervention point where patients can simultaneously address cataract removal and glaucoma management. The ultimate goals outlined include lowering eye pressure, reducing medication burden, minimizing ocular surface disease, and improving patient quality of life.

Ibach's approach emphasizes flexibility, continuous learning, and a commitment to patient-first care, viewing glaucoma management as a collaborative, evolving journey rather than a one-time intervention.

Conference

Bausch + Lomb has launched its Blink Nourish Lubricating eye drops and Blink Boost Lubricating eye drops in the US.

 Both drops will be available in most national retailers, including Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon, according to a news release.

The preservative-free, contact lens-friendly drops have been formulated to provide hydration and comfort for dry eyes in a multidose bottle.

"Blink Nourish and Blink Boost deliver the same science-backed, long-lasting relief that consumers have come to rely on from our other Blink eye drop products,” said John Ferris, president, Consumer, Bausch + Lomb. “These preservative-free options provide sufferers of dry eyes – especially those with sensitive eyes – with even more ways to achieve relief."

, vitamin C, magnesium, and amino acids that assist the drop in replenishing and rebalancing the tear film. The drop’s pH-balanced composition also hydrates the eye with the active ingredient glycerin, in addition to containing hyaluronan, a moisturizer naturally found in tears, and trehalose in order to promote tear film stability.

Blink Boost also contains a combination of ingredients that are naturally inspired and included in the drop’s formulation in reference to the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society’s DEWS II report. Some of these ingredients include HA and an electrolyte – components of natural tears – and an antioxidant, which protects HA from free radicals, the release stated. The formula is also pH balanced to match healthy tears.

“These new preservative-free eye drops deliver a blend of ingredients that not only hydrate but also promote a healthy ocular surface,” said Gina Wesley, OD, of Complete Eye Care in Medina, Minnesota, in the release. “My patients with sensitivities now have 2 new options from the Blink eye drop portfolio to help address their dry eye symptoms.”

The launch of the drops by Bausch + Lomb follows on the heels of the company’s launch of LUMIFY Preservative Free redness reliever eye drops in the US. The first and only preservation-free OTC eye drops contain low-dose brimonidine tartrate 0.025% that works to relieve redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations.

Bausch + Lomb launches Blink Nourish Lubricating eye drops and Blink Boost Lubricating eye drops in the United States. News release. Bausch + Lomb. June 4, 2025. Accessed June 4, 2025.

J Joy. Bausch + Lomb launches LUMIFY Preservative Free redness reliever eye drops in the US. 

https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/bausch-lomb-launches-lumify-preservative-free-redness-reliever-eye-drops-in-us

Both preservative-free, contact lens-friendly drops will be available in most national retailers.

Bausch + Lomb launch Blink Nourish Lubricating eye drops and Blink Boost Lubricating eye drops in the US for dry eye

HOYA Vision Care recently announced its acquisition of Canadian distributor Centennial Optical.

 Centennial Optical distributes ophthalmic frames, eyeglass lenses, sunglasses, lab supplies, and optical accessories.

“We continuously seek new opportunities to deliver greater value and drive innovation,” said Steven Haifawi, president of HOYA Vision Care Canada, in a press release. “This strategic investment expands both our companies’ capabilities and enhances our competitive positions in the market while strengthening our partnerships with customers across Canada.”

HOYA Vision Care has a presence in over 50 countries, is seen as a leader in myopia management and has a proven track record in advanced lens design, high-performance photochromic technologies, and high-quality AR coatings.

HOYA’s acquisition of Centennial Optical will allow the companies to better serve the Canadian market by leveraging HOYA’s resources and technologies, now adding Centennial Optical’s foundation.

“We carefully considered the future of our business, our customers, and our employees,” said Allen Nightingale, president of Centennial Optical, in a press release. Nightingale said HOYA’s industry leadership was only part of what stood out to the company, citing HOYA’s alignment with Centennial Optical’s culture, values, and mission.

“HOYA shares our commitment to innovation, integrity, and customer-focused service, which made them the right partner for Centennial’s next chapter.”

1. HOYA Vision Care Acquires Centennial Optical | HOYA Vision Care. HOYA Vision Care. Published 2025. Accessed June 3, 2025. https://www.hoyavision.com/en-us/newsroom/hoya-in-the-news/news-folder/hoya-vision-care-acquires-centennial-optical/

This strategic investment will allow both companies to better serve the Canadian market.

HOYA announces acquisition of Centennial Optical

Carolyn Majcher, OD, FAAO, details a Collaborative Care Symposium 2025 presentation given with Prethy Rao, MD.

CCS 2025: Collaborative retinal disease management in the preoperative refractive surgery patient

Carolyn Majcher, OD, FAAO, detailed in a Collaborative Care Symposium (CCS) 2025 presentation discussing retinal disease management in preoperative cataract and refractive surgery. The presentation, copresented with Prethy Rao, MD, focused on comprehensive patient care and interdisciplinary approaches to eye surgery. A critical aspect of the discussion was setting realistic patient expectations. Majcher emphasized that patients with retinal conditions need to understand potential vision limitations post surgery. The goal isn't always complete vision correction, but rather reducing dependence on corrective lenses. Majcher recommended supplementary strategies like using extra lighting, magnifiers, and contrast-enhancing devices to support patients with vision challenges. 

Collaborative care emerged as a central theme, with Majcher highlighting the importance of different eye care specialists working together. By combining perspectives from optometry and retinal specialties, providers can optimize patient outcomes and develop more comprehensive treatment strategies. Key clinical recommendations included performing thorough retinal examinations, particularly under dilation, to identify potential surgical risks. 

Majcher stressed the significance of multimodal imaging techniques like macular OCT, fundus autofluorescence, and wide-field color fundus photography to detect subtle retinal pathologies. Special attention was given to patients with specific conditions. For instance, those with diabetic retinopathy require extra preoperative screening, including macular OCT to check for diabetic macular edema. Patients with macular diseases might benefit from monofocal or light-adjusted intraocular lenses instead of diffractive premium IOLs. Majcher also recommended close communication between eye care professionals, considering low vision rehabilitation referrals, and using large-print educational materials to support patients with reduced vision. The presentation underscored the complexity of managing patients with retinal diseases undergoing eye surgery. By combining thorough examinations, advanced imaging, realistic patient counseling, and interdisciplinary collaboration, eye care providers can develop more personalized and effective treatment approaches. 

Majcher concluded by emphasizing that successful patient care requires a holistic, collaborative approach that considers individual patient needs, potential surgical risks, and long-term vision management strategies.

Laurie Saloman

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