This week in optometry: October 9-October 13
Catch up on what happened in optometry during the week of October 9-October 13.
Catch up with what Optometry Times®' shared this week:
AAOpt 2023
The 2023 American Academy of Optometry meeting took place October 11-14 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans and the Optometry Times® editorial team was on the ground bringing you all the latest news. Emily Kaiser Maharjan, assistant managing editor, and Kassi Jackson, editor, met with industry leaders and KOLs to learn about the latest cutting edge technology, therapies, and innovation, as well as research to enhance patient care in myopia, glaucoma, imaging and more.
This year's keynote address focused on mental health and optometry. Presented by Drs. Dennis Pardo, Jeff Walline, and Bernadette Melnyk, alongside former NFL star Brandon Marshall, the team discussed the intersection of mental health care and optometry, from patient care and practice management to caring for clinicians' own mental health.
See the AAOpt 2023 coverage...
Alcon launches new multifocal contact lens for presbyopia
Kassi Jackson, Editor
Alcon has launched TOTAL30 multifocal contact lenses for patients with presbyopia. TOTAL30 is the first monthly water gradient multifocal contact lens on the market, and can be found in the United States and in select international markets.1
Developing as eyes age, presbyopia is a gradual decline of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects and is an eye condition that is a natural part of aging.1,2 Many contact lens wearers find themselves ditching contact lenses after age 40 because of lens dryness, discomfort, and visual acuity issues, switching to bifocals or reading glasses.1,3 Increased digital use also plays a role in contact lens and eye dryness;1,4 however, the TOTAL30 lens combats digital device dryness with its water gradient technology, delivering nearly 100% water at the lens’ surface.1,5,6
CLI publishes comprehensive guide for eye care practices for contact lens success
Lynda Charters
The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) and The Vision Council published a collaborative effort titled, “The Culture Calculation: Data-Backed Behaviors for Contact Lens Success.” This latest publication is part of the “See Tomorrow” research series.
According to a press release from CLI, the new in-depth guide is “designed to help eye care practices enhance their contact lens cultures, in turn increasing patient satisfaction and practice business outcomes.”
Embarking on the quest for comfortable presbyopia correction
Rachael A. Wruble, OD, FAAO
In addition to needing vision correction, patients with presbyopia may be facing age-related changes that can affect the ocular surface. Aging can alter the normal processes of the lacrimal functional unit, which includes the lacrimal glands, meibomian glands, ocular surface, and the nerves that connect them.1
Degeneration of 1 or more components of the lacrimal functional unit can lead to tear dysfunction, which is more common with aging. Ocular surface homeostasis also can be compromised with age-related changes, such as atrophy of lacrimal ducts, decrease in lacrimal secretions, thinning of the lipid layer,2 and a higher rate of tear film evaporation.3 Changes to the eyelid may also occur with age, including increased eyelid laxity and atrophy of meibomian glands.1
In addition, demanding lifestyles and the frequent use of digital devices may play a role in the ocular needs of patients with presbyopia.
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