This week in optometry: January 21-January 26

Article

A look back on what's happened in optometry during the week of Jan. 21-Jan. 26.

Check out what Optometry Times®' shared this week:

Optometry news

Surprising findings from the DRCR Retina Network Protocol AA

By A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO

Recently published and anticipated results from the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Retina Network (DRCR.net) Protocol AA yielded the surprising finding that predominantly peripheral lesions (PPL) using ultra-widefield (UWF) color retinal imaging were not predictive of significant, 2-step worsening on the Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS)1, contrary to previous findings from several single-center studies.2,3

The initial study, conducted by investigators at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts, found that PPL were highly and significantly associated with 2-step worsening (3.2× risk) and proliferative DR (PDR; 4.7× risk) over 4 years.2

Read more...

Contact lenses can help patients with low vision

By Euin Cheong, OD

Contact lenses generally are not combined with low-vision rehabilitation; the two are seen as different entities in the profession of optometry. I have had the joy and privilege of working as a contact lens and low vision specialist, and the intersection of care has been profound. There are myriad ways to utilize contact lenses for patients with low vision to maximize rehabilitation and quality of life.

More here...

Study finds fungal endophthalmitis after cataract surgery linked to viscoelastic

By Lynda Charters

South Korean ophthalmologists reported a fungal endophthalmitis outbreak after cataract surgery resulting from contaminated viscoelastic material. The investigators, led by Seong Woo Kim, MD, PhD, from the Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea, found that prompt intervention may improve the prognosis of fungal endophthalmitis caused by contaminated medical products.1

Fungal endophthalmitis is rare, occurring in 0.002% of cases in South Korea, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, but it generally follows an intractable clinical course with poor visual prognosis.

An “unusual” outbreak developed in October 2020, that became a nationwide outbreak and was found to be associated with contaminated viscoelastic material (sodium hyaluronate).

Kim and colleagues conducted a retrospective case series analysis of clinical data from multiple institutions across the country from September 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021, to determine the epidemiologic and clinical features and treatment outcomes of this outbreak after cataract surgery.

Read the full report...

Practical management EP 1: Why having a brand is important

By Maria Sampalis, OD; Kassi Jackson, Editor

Maria Sampalis, OD, owner of Sampalis Eye Care in Cranston and Providence, Rhode Island, sat down with Optometry Times®' editor Kassi Jackson to talk all-things practice management.

In this first episode, learn about the importance of a brand for your optometric practice.

Listen now...

Black EyeCare Perspective appoints new executive director

By Kassi Jackson, Editor

Black EyeCare Perspective has named Essence Johnson, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, as the first Executive Director of the non-profit.

Johnson has served as the organization's Chief Visionary Officer and co-advises the Black EyeCare Perspective Pre-Optometry Club. Johnson assumed her new role at the start of the new year and will manage the day-to-day operations for Black EyeCare Perspective. She has impacted the eyecare profession by creating new avenues to recruit, engage and influence the next generation of eyecare professionals.

Continue reading...

Recent Videos
In 2 weeks, the study participant's dry eye symptoms improved from 76 to 43 on a 0-100 rating scale, according to Marc-Matthias Schulze, PhD, Dipl Ing.
Eye care practitioners reported moderate to high satisfaction with lifitegrast's ability to improve signs of dry eye, according to Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS.
Neda Gioia, OD, CNS, FOWNS, details the positive feedback gained so far from other optometrists that have been prescribing the NutriTears supplement to their dry eye patients.
Damaris Raymondi, OD, FAAO, highlighted the importance of building patient-doctor trust to learn about these practices, which can include non-traditional treatments like chamomile or manuka honey eye drops.
Noreen Shaikh, OD, Magdalena Stec, OD, FAAO, and Brenda Bohnsack, MD, PhD, emphasize that collaboration and communication are key to proper diagnosis and treatment.
Cecilia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO, cited data from a recent student that found that presbyopia treatment with 0.4% pilocarpine led to up to 86% of patients achieving 20/40 or better.
Kerry Giedd, OD, MS, FAAO, was 1 of 20 investigators around the country for a study evaluating the daily disposable contact lens.
According to A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO, optometrists have an important opportunity to educate patients in their chairs about diabetes.
David Geffen, OD, FAAO, gave a poster presentation titled "Revolutionizing Comfort: Unveiling the Potential of Perfluorohexyloctane Eyedrops for Contact Lens Wearers" at this year's Academy meeting.
Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO, Dipl-ABO, discussed ophthalmic considerations for patients undergoing treatment with antibody drug conjugates for gynecologic cancers at this year's conference.
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