Videos

Optometrists have their eyes set on ocular surface disease treatment and contact lens technology advancement.

Nancy Gries, export sales manager at Logoproject Eyewear, discusses the company's process for creating a private label eyewear brand, from logo design to final product.

In this segment, the expert panel focuses on patient counseling, adherence, and expectation-setting when initiating Acoltremon.

In this segment, the expert panel reviews the COMET-1 and COMET-2 clinical trials, highlighting how these studies evaluated both signs and symptoms of dry eye disease to determine the therapeutic impact of Acoltremon.

Diana Canto-Sims, OD, and Nancy Gries, export sales manager at Logoproject Eyewear, discuss profit margins in creating a private label eyewear brand.

LFVR Eyewear allows for patient customization of their frames in part of its private label eyewear services, according to founder Travis LeFevre.

In this segment, the expert panel discusses how Acoltremon fits within the broader treatment landscape for dry eye disease, particularly in relation to anti-inflammatory therapies.

In this segment, the expert faculty explore the mechanism and clinical role of Acoltremon, a newly available dry eye therapy that targets sensory innervation to stimulate basal tear production.

Travis LeFevre, founder of LFVR Eyewear, and Diana Canto-Sims, OD, discuss the process of creating a private label eyewear brand with the company.

Mark Graham of Your Brand Eyewear shares his company's success stories regarding creating private label eyewear for practices.

The experts further discuss managing neuropathic pain, differentiating peripheral from central mechanisms, validating patients’ symptoms, and using imaging technologies to enhance education and track progress.They describe strategies that rebuild trust, including clearly explaining findings during the exam, demonstrating abnormalities the patient can feel or visualize, and confidently outlining a tailored plan. The experts also find it helpful to show patients a comprehensive list of available treatments, reinforcing that many options remain. The panel highlights the importance of frequent follow-ups—often at 4 weeks, then every 3–6 months—to maintain partnership, monitor progress, and ensure patients never feel abandoned in their care. They also stress collaboration with local physicians for those traveling long distances, reinforcing continuity and shared control in management.

In this segment, the expert panel reflects on the rapid evolution of dry eye therapeutics and the impact of newer pharmacologic options on clinical practice.

In this segment, the expert panel addresses one of the most challenging aspects of dry eye management: engaging frustrated patients who have seen multiple clinicians without meaningful relief. The faculty note that by the time these individuals reach a dry eye specialist, many have lost hope, feel dismissed, or are emotionally exhausted from living with constant ocular discomfort. The panel emphasizes that validation and empathy are essential first steps—acknowledging the chronic, psychologically taxing nature of the disease immediately helps patients feel heard. They describe strategies that rebuild trust, including clearly explaining findings during the exam, demonstrating abnormalities the patient can feel or visualize, and confidently outlining a tailored plan. The experts also find it helpful to show patients a comprehensive list of available treatments, reinforcing that many options remain. The panel highlights the importance of frequent follow-ups—often at 4 weeks, then every 3–6 months—to maintain partnership, monitor progress, and ensure patients never feel abandoned in their care. They also stress collaboration with local physicians for those traveling long distances, reinforcing continuity and shared control in management.

In this segment, the expert panel focuses on how they individualize dry eye disease treatment by interpreting symptom patterns, clinical findings, and patient-specific factors. They acknowledge that the expanding range of therapeutic options can feel overwhelming, but emphasize that effective care comes from methodically analyzing what each patient’s presentation reveals. The faculty explain that targeted questioning—such as whether symptoms are worse upon waking or later in the day—can differentiate between issues like poor lid seal, nocturnal exposure, or evaporative stress. They highlight the importance of performing a structured slit lamp examination, waiting the full two minutes after fluorescein instillation, assessing corneal and conjunctival staining, evaluating tear meniscus height, and observing eyelid mechanics. These findings guide decisions about anti-inflammatory therapy, anti-evaporative strategies, obstruction relief, or eyelid-focused interventions. The panel also stresses environmental and behavioral contributors, using real-world examples to educate patients and encourage active participation. Visual tools—including photos, videos, and simple imaging—help patients understand their condition and the chronic, multifactorial nature of dry eye disease.

In this segment, the expert panel discusses the clinical importance of distinguishing basal tear production from reflex tearing when evaluating patients with dry eye disease. They explain that although both types of tears share many biochemical components, basal tears contain these elements in much higher concentrations, making them essential for epithelial health, nerve function, and overall ocular surface stability. Reflex tears, by contrast, simply wet the surface temporarily and often run down the cheek—giving patients the misleading impression that their eyes “can’t be dry.” The faculty note that this distinction frequently arises in patient conversations, especially when individuals believe that tearing rules out dryness. They use relatable examples, such as tearing from cutting onions or removing debris from the eye, to illustrate that reflexive tearing does not replace true basal tear function. The panel reflects on how treatment options for dry eye have expanded significantly over time, allowing clinicians to better address deficiencies in the tear film’s protective baseline components.

In this discussion, the expert panel emphasizes practical, accessible strategies for identifying underlying contributors to ocular surface disease and dry eye. They note that clinicians do not need advanced or expensive technology to diagnose dry eye effectively; instead, consistency and recognition of key signs and symptoms are essential. The panel highlights the value of brief, structured assessments—such as a “90-second workup”—that incorporate symptom questionnaires like the OSDI, fluorescein and lissamine green staining, and simple tear break-up time measurements. Several faculty members underscore the importance of evaluating meibomian gland structure, whether through meibography or basic transillumination. They discuss the usefulness of rigidly separating aqueous deficient from evaporative dry eye, describing the condition instead as a continuum where each subtype often leads to the other. Tear meniscus height is identified as a powerful but underutilized diagnostic cue. The panel also stresses the importance of considering patient-specific factors—environment, hobbies, and prior eyelid surgery—that influence tear film stability and symptom severity.

Mark Graham of Your Brand Eyewear and Diana Canto-Sims, OD, also discuss the importance of looping in your staff when creating your own eyewear brand.

Brieann Adair, OD, discusses popular opinion among patients regarding contact lens wear.

Adair, OD, outlines the vast expanse of possibilities that lenses offer patients outside of refractive error.

Diana Canto-Sims, OD, and Mark Graham of Your Brand Eyewear discuss the benefits of starting your own eyewear brand and how to get started with the company.

Dye, OD, details exciting new trials for amblyopia that are in the works at NYU Langone Eye Center.

New technology in all facets of eye care provides an opportunity for eye care providers to step out of their comfort zones.

Rose Mandel, OD, shares how the NYU Langone Eye Center tackles a variety of cases in day-to-day practice.

Wen, OD, gives an overview of the glaucoma landscape, from necessary technology and management options.

Clark Chang, OD, MSA, MSc, FAAO; and Michelle Chung, OD, FAAO, FSLS, provided cornea updates during the American Academy of Optometry Academy 2025 conference.

Mark Schaeffer, OD, FAAL, details his poster presentation titled "Practitioner satisfaction and experience with a novel daily disposable toric contact lens in a real-world evaluation."

Johnson & Johnson and The Contact Lens Institute were among industry leaders that provided research and study results during the conference.

Raman Bhakhri, OD, FAAO; Julie Rodman, OD, MS, FAAO; and Andrew Rixon, OD, provide retinal updates during the meeting.

Concludes with key takeaways from all cases, highlighting lessons in diagnostic precision, individualized treatment planning, and the importance of peer collaboration in advancing glaucoma management.

Focuses on optimizing outcomes for patients with inadequate pressure control, covering medication switching, treatment escalation, and strategies to improve adherence and consistency in therapy.