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Erin Tomiyama, OD, PhD, FAAO, offers actionable advice for myopia management and perspective for practitioners ready to refine their approach.

CCS 2025: Clinical pearls and forward thinking are the key to success in myopia management

At the 2025 ASCRS meeting, Mitch Shultz, MD, presented compelling new findings from a 12-week clinical trial investigating the impact of lotilaner 0.25% ophthalmic solution on meibomian gland function.

Extended lotilaner 0.25% therapy shows meibomian gland benefits

Articles

The 0.1 mg/mL atropine eye drop for paediatric myopia is licensed from Sydnexis, Inc.

European Commission approves low-dose atropine eye drop Ryjunea, Santen announces

An official approval by the FDA in the United States can boost adoption rate of atropine and antimyopia glasses, which will change the landscape of myopia management.

Atropine vs spectacles: Which move will be more powerful in the game of myopia management?

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

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Authors

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.

iVeena Delivery Systems announced the investigational new drug (IND) submission to the FDA for IVMED-85, an investigational eye drop for the prevention of pediatric myopia progression. IVMED-85 is a new chemical entity; the preservative-free, nonatropine daily drop strengthens scleral and corneal collagen crosslinks through lysyl oxidase (LOX) activation to improve refraction and decrease the rate of axial elongation.

“This IND marks a major step toward meeting a significant unmet need for patients. IVMED-85’s novel LOX-based mechanism offers a differentiated, nonatropine approach that could redefine how we treat pediatric myopia,” Vance Thompson, MD, founder of Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the director of refractive surgery, said in a press release.

The preservative-free prescription eye drop IVMED-85 is being developed by iVeena Delivery Systems, a privately held, clinical-stage ophthalmology company that formulates disease-modifying pharmacologic interventions for refractive diseases. Its other development, IVMED-80, is an orphan drug designated eye drop for keratoconus and has been licensed by Glaukos.

Results of IVMED-85 in a guinea pig model were first presented at ARVO 2019. Safety and efficacy of the drop were investigated in albino guinea pigs with spontaneous myopia, which is thought to be the most similar to myopia in humans. Each guinea pig was dosed with IVMED-85 twice daily for 8 to 10 weeks in one eye, with the other eye either dosed with vehicle or left untreated as the control. Refractive error and axial length were measured, as well as corneal curvature and central corneal thickness.

No toxicity was observed in the dissected eye following the study, and IOP measurements were within normal limits (15-25 mm HG) at all points of the study. IVMED-85 effectively reduced myopia progression in treated eyes while untreated eyes continued to progress. While there was no difference in axial length between treated and untreated eyes, the eyes treated with IVMED-85 showed decreased corneal curvature compared to control eye.

In October 2023, Sarah Molokhia, RPh, PhD—adjunct assistant professor in the department of pharmaceutics and pharmaceuticals at the University of Utah and the vice president of research and development at iVeena—received the National Eye Institute Phase 1 Small Business Innovative Research grant to develop and investigate IVMED-85 for pediatric myopia control.

 In February 2025, iVeena announced that it had secured $3 million in Series B-2 financing to support the IVMED-85 investigational program.

Following the submission, the FDA is expected to review within 30 days. If positively reviewed, iVeena Delivery Systems intends to initiate a multinational clinical trial in 2025.

1. iVeena Announces IND Submission to the U.S. FDA for a Phase 2 Clinical Trial for Pediatric Myopia. iVeena. News release. Published June 2, 2025. Accessed June 4, 2025. 

https://iveenamed.com/news/iveena-announces-ind-submission-to-the-u-s-fda-for-a-phase-2-clinical-trial-for-pediatric-myopia

2. iVeena Awarded NEI-SBIR Grant For Progressive Myopia Drug Candidate IVMED-85. iVeena. News release. Published October 26, 2023. Accessed June 4, 2025. 

https://iveenamed.com/news/iveena-awarded-nei-sbir-grant-for-progressive-myopia-drug-candidate-ivmed-85

3. iVeena Secures $3 Million in Series B-2 Financing to Accelerate Development of IVMED-85 for Myopia. iVeena. News release. Published February 5, 2025. Accessed June 4, 2025. 

https://iveenamed.com/news/iveena-secures-3-million-in-series-b-2-financing-to-accelerate-development-of-ivmed-85-for-myopia

4. Molokhia S, Hauritz H, Archer B, Burr M, Owen LA, Ambati BK. IVMED-85 eye drops for myopia control in guinea pigs. 

IVMED-85 is a preservative-free, nonatropine daily drop that slows myopia progression by strengthening scleral and corneal collagen crosslinks via LOX activation.

Pipeline

iVeena submits IND to FDA for a phase 2 clinical trial for pediatric myopia

Tenpoint Therapeutics announced that the new drug application (NDA) for its presbyopia candidate, Brimochol preservative-free (PF), has been accepted by the FDA. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of January 28, 2026. According to the press release, the FDA plans to hold an advisory committee meeting to discuss the NDA.

“This milestone marks a significant step forward in our transition toward becoming a commercial-stage company, and we look forward to collaborating closely with the agency throughout the review process,” Henric Bjarke, chief executive officer of Tenpoint Therapeutics, said in a press release. “As the only combination product of its kind, Brimochol PF offers the potential for a best-in-class product, achievable through a unique and differentiated profile. With our commercial leadership team now in place, we are fully engaged in launch preparations as we anticipate a product availability in 1H 2026.”

 in April 2025. Brimochol PF is a unique entry into the presbyopia-correcting market due to a combination of brimonidine and carbachol in a pupil-modulating eye drop. The drop produces a pinhole effect to improve depth of focus sharpen near and distant impact to deliver greater peak efficacy and duration relative to monotherapy alone. This drop has the potential to be the first combination therapy for presbyopia.

, a phase 3 pivotal trial investigating Brimochol PF. The 3-arm, multicenter, randomized, double-masked study investigated safety and efficacy. Investigators compared Brimochol PF with carbachol monotherapy and a vehicle topical ophthalmic solution in patients with emmetropic phakic or pseudophakic presbyopia. The trial met primary end points in both US and European Union/UK trials with a statistically significant visual acuity improvement at near. The improvements were recorded at all time points over 8 hours (

< .008). No serious adverse events were reported.

Additionally, Brimochol PF demonstrated clinically and statistically significant reductions in pupil size at all time points in the study. This is the key to the pinhole effect the drop creates, and was cited as a key mechanism of action.

. Prior to this merger, Brimochol PF was being investigated by Visus.

1. Tenpoint Therapeutics Ltd. Announces FDA Acceptance of New Drug Application for BRIMOCHOL PF for the Treatment of Presbyopia. BusinessWire. Press release. Published June 3, 2025. Accessed June 3, 2025. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603104526/en/Tenpoint-Therapeutics-Ltd.-Announces-FDA-Acceptance-of-New-Drug-Application-for-BRIMOCHOL-PF-for-the-Treatment-of-Presbyopia

2. Joy J. Tenpoint Therapeutics submits NDA application to US FDA for Brimochol PF for the treatment of presbyopia. 

Published April 8, 2025. Accessed June 3, 2025. 

https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/tenpoint-therapeutics-submits-nda-application-to-us-fda-for-brimochol-pf-for-the-treatment-of-presbyopia

3. Joy J. Tenpoint Therapeutics announces positive topline results from Phase 3 pivotal trial BRIO-II assessing BRIMOCHOL PF for the treatment of presbyopia. 

 Published January 9, 2025. Accessed June 3, 20205. 

https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/tenpoint-therapeutics-announces-positive-topline-results-from-phase-3-pivotal-trial-brio-ii-assessing-brimochol-pf-for-the-treatment-of-presbyopia

4. Hutton D. Tenpoint Therapeutics and Visus Therapeutics merge. 

. Published December 12, 2024. Accessed June 3, 2025. 

https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/tenpoint-therapeutics-and-visus-therapeutics-merge

The PDUFA date for Brimochol PF is January 28, 2026.

Patrick Simard, OD, MSc, MBA, FAAO, FIACLE, IACMM

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