Optometry Times

?? August Issue Alert! ?? The latest edition of Optometry Times is out now. Stay ahead with the latest research and insights in the field of optometry. Access the August 2024 issue here: https://bit.ly/ODIssue

Optometrists and ophthalmologists gathered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to learn about some of the hottest topics in eye care at the 2024 Optometry Times EyeCon. From dry eye with Laura Periman, MD, and managing a social presence with Adam Ramsey, OD, the schedule was stuffed to the gills. Cochairs Kelly Nichols, OD, PhD, MPH, FAAO, and A. Paul Chous, OD, MA, FAAO, for the optometry track and Peter McDonnell, MD, and honorary chair Periman for ophthalmology kept the conversation flowing. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d9VT7PDE

A new study that compiled data from 2022 has uncovered a higher prevalence in glaucoma than previously estimated in the US. The study, Prevalence of Glaucoma Among US Adults in 2022, was published in JAMA Ophthalmology and found that approximately 4.22 million people in the US have glaucoma, 1.62% of which were adults ages 18 and older, according to a news release from Prevent Blindness. As many as 1.49 million people have vision-affecting glaucoma, with 0.57% being adults ages 18 and older. Read more: https://lnkd.in/enHYF5CH

"The retina terrified me. I graduated from optometry school with many ocular pathology courses and disease-heavy rotations, but I still felt trepidation when examining, diagnosing, and managing diseases of the posterior segment. I was lucky to secure a residency in a multispecialty referral center, where my interest in and knowledge of the retina continued to expand under the guidance of 2 fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeons. "However, I realized that the more I knew, the more I became aware of what I did not know. To be transparent, the journey that led me to be the first retina optometrist at Colorado Retina Associates (CRA) was driven by fear. I would lie awake at night, stressing about my patients. Did I miss a tear? Did I refer this patient appropriately? And the worst one: If I made a mistake, would my patient lose vision? Because I was determined to know I was doing the absolute best for my patients, I spent every free moment in the retina clinic soaking up each drop of wisdom," writes Betty Zhang, OD. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gA5WJNqb

Start your weekend off right with our highlights from a busy week in optometry: https://lnkd.in/eRaDMTXv

Biopharmaceutical company Ocular Therapeutix has announced accelerated timelines for its SOL-1 Phase 3 registrational clinical trial of Axpaxli for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study is now expected to be fully enrolled with all 300 patients randomized by the end of 2024, with topline data now expected during the fourth quarter of 2025, according to a news release. Prior guidance for Ocular Therapeutix was to complete enrollment by the end of the first quarter of 2025. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gVUA5P7s

In today’s digital age, social media has become an indispensable tool for businesses to connect with their audience, showcase their services, and drive engagement. Leveraging social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook is key for optometric practices looking to attract new, younger patients while also engaging current ones. First, it is important to identify how different generations find and view information on the internet. According to a recent Forbes Advisor survey, younger generations—specifically millennials and Generation Z—tend to rely more on social media platforms than traditional Google searches when looking for companies to buy from or do business with. As many as 1 in 5 people surveyed do not feel the need to use a search engine and prefer to access websites through social media instead. Additionally, approximately 40% of both Gen Z and millennials primarily rely on mobile devices for internet access. This shift in behavior can be attributed to several factors, including more trust in peer and influencer recommendations than traditional advertisements, more interactive engagement with brands, a heavy emphasis on visual content, brand authenticity and transparency in the form of values and personality, and the convenience of using social media apps on mobile devices. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eehVJY7Y

Technological advancements have revolutionized the way we travel and navigate the world. From getting directions to the closest coffee shop to ordering a rideshare back from the airport, technology has made travel more efficient, convenient, and less stressful. However, for someone with vision loss, navigating a route and doing it safely still has many challenges. Challenges for people with a visual impairment may include reading a street sign, crossing a busy street, or avoiding an obstacle. Finding the restroom in an unknown indoor environment has been reported as the biggest challenge, followed by locating signage, stairs, and elevators. Consequences of these challenges often result in avoiding travel, social isolation, or even injury. Outdoor head-level accidents requiring medical attention are not uncommon for people with vision loss. Read more: https://lnkd.in/enX28268

Diabetic retinopathy has tended to be regarded as a rare occurrence in young patients diagnosed with diabetes, but a recent paper details the growing rates of the disease in young people as a looming “potentially unappreciated public health catastrophe.” An editorial in JAMA Ophthalmology, coauthored by Julie M. Rosenthal, MD, MS, from the University of Michigan Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Kellogg Eye Center, pointed to data from 2 recent studies, including the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth study and the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e2J37nwp

Bausch + Lomb announced FDA approval of its latest enVista intraocular lens (IOL), the Envy full range of vision IOL. The Envy offers a continuous range of vision that promotes dysphotopsia tolerance, according to the company. The lens demonstrated excellent long-term outcomes in US-based clinical trials as well as Canadian studies, and leverages ActivSync Optic intelligent energy distribution to perform well in all lighting conditions. The enVista Envy was previously approved by Health Canada in May of 2024. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gJBTrJyw