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This week in optometry: July 24-July 28
Catch up on what happened in optometry during the week of July 24-July 28.
Catch up with what Optometry Times®' shared this week:
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Optometry news
DED simplified: How to efficiently diagnose, treat, and track dysfunction
David L. Kading, OD, FAAO
Although dry eye disease (DED) is common in every practice, we have not had a simple, standardized approach to ensure that everyone with DED gets appropriate care. The seminal TFOS DEWS II study laid out a definition, diagnostics, and therapies,1 but how do they translate to the examination lane?
Here, I will share the DED definition that I follow in a logical approach to care that is neither time-consuming nor expensive, as well as some additional steps for those thinking of expanding their DED care.
Pediatric myopia and keratoconus: Key detection and treatment strategies
Kevin Chan, OD, MS, FAAO; Tracy Schroeder Swartz, OD, MS, FAAO
Myopia has long been defined as a dioptric diagnosis of refractive error. Because of the seemingly benign presentation, myopia has yet to be classified as a disease. Growing research, however, has supported and validated that the underlying etiology of myopia predominantly stems from axial elongation of the globe.1,2
The younger the age at which the onset of myopia occurs, the more rapid the progression of myopia. Because of its early onset, the potential odds of developing lifelong ocular complications can be significant in adulthood, which can be detrimental to overall ocular health.1,2 Myopia affected 30% of the global population in 2020. That percentage is estimated to rise to 50% by 2050, when 5 billion individuals worldwide will likely develop myopia.3
Keratoconus is known as a bilateral, noninflammatory ectatic corneal disorder characterized by progressive stromal thinning, corneal irregularities, and permanent vision loss if left unmanaged. It is associated with progressive myopia. Currently, the estimated global prevalence in the general population is approximately 1 in 375 to 1 in 2000 individuals, depending on the testing used.4-6
FDA approves lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25% for treatment of Demodex blepharitis
David Hutton, Managing Editor, Ophthalmology Times
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that the FDA approved lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25% (XDEMVY) for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis. Lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25%, formerly known as TP-03, is the first and only FDA approved treatment to directly target Demodex mites, the root cause of Demodex blepharitis.
New editor-in-chief of AAO’s Optometry and Vision Science journal brings over a decade of experience
Kassi Jackson, Editor
David Elliott, PhD, FCOptom, FAAO, has been announced as the new editor-in–chief (EIC) of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) journal, Optometry and Vision Science (OVS), the AAO announced in a press release.1
Elliot spent 11 years leading the Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics (OPO) journal, in which during his tenure as EIC, OPO saw increased submissions and improved citation metrics. These successes positioned OPO in the top quartile of ophthalmology and optometry journals, ranking #1 in optometry. He held the role as a topical editor for OVS for 8 years, and the role of co-editor for 5 feature issues. Elliott also holds accomplishments within the Academy, becoming a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry in 1992 and receiving several AAO awards, including the Glenn A. Fry Award (2013), the William Feinbloom Award (2018), and the Garland W. Clay Award (2009, 2011).1
Opthea announces nonproprietary drug name “sozinibercept” for OPT-302
Emily Kaiser, Assistant Managing Editor
Opthea announced that its lead biologic drug candidate OPT-302—which is being evaluated in 2 Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of neovascular or wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD)—has received its nonproprietary drug name: Sozinibercept (pronounced soe'' zi nib' er sept). Alongside the World Health Organization’s International Nonproprietary Names (INN) Expert Committee, the American Medical Association’s United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council approved and adopted the name to describe Opthea’s novel recombinant “trap” fusion protein targeting inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factors C and D (VEGF-C and VEGF-D). The drug is administered via intravitreal injection.
Going forward, sozinibercept will be the official moniker of OPT-302, which holds fast track designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its 2 Phase 3 studies, ShORe (investigating 2 mg sozinibercept + 0.5 mg ranibizumab) and COAST (investigating 2 mg sozinibercept + 2 mg ranibizumab) are ongoing. Both share a primary end point: Superiority in visual acuity gains at 12 months for combination therapy when compared with standard-of-care monotherapy.
Demodex “tails”
Katherine M. Mastrota, MS, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO
More than 100 different species of follicular mites have been morphologically described and studied in mammals ranging from marsupials to placental creatures such as armadillos, bats, pigs, dogs, rodents, and primates.1 Interest in the Demodex mite (class: Archnida; family: Demodidicidae; genus: Demodex; species: Demodex folliculorum) as a contributor to blepharitis has waxed and waned since it was first reported in the eyelash follicle in the mid-1800s. With expanded investigation and novel study techniques, information on these mites is advancing, giving us a better understanding of the organism.
CRU 2023: New technologies and advances in the contact lens field, plus the new paradigm in specialty lenses
Deborah S. Jacobs, MD, MS; Emily Kaiser, Assistant Managing Editor; Marlisa Miller, Editorial Intern
Deborah S. Jacobs, MD, who is part of the faculty for the CRU Eye Symposium, caught up with Optometry Times®' assistant managing editor, Emily Kaiser, to talk about the meeting.
CRU is an acronym that stands for "current, relevant, useful," and the second annual symposium will be held November 10-12, 2023, at the Silverado Resort in Napa Valley, California. S. Barry Eiden, OD, FAAO, FSLS; Stephanie Woo, OD, FAAO, FSLS; and John D. Gelles, OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FCLSA, FSLS, FBCLA, are the co-chairs of the meeting, with honorary ambassador Vance Thompson, MD, FACS.
EyeCon 2023: Bringing collaborative OD and MD education to life
A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO; Emily Kaiser, Assistant Managing Editor; Marlisa Miller, Editorial Intern
A. Paul Chous, OD, MA, FAAO, co-chair of the 2023 EyeCon meeting, caught up with Optometry Times®' assistant managing editor, Emily Kaiser, to share the exciting things he's looking forward do for this year's meeting.
The third annual EyeCon meeting will be held December 1-2, 2023, at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Sanibel Harbour, Florida.
