Optometry Times

CRU 2025 attendees ended the first day of the conference trying out some local wine paired with delectable bites. Take a look and see what we're up to at the event in Napa, California: https://lnkd.in/g2utcHSq

A recent study published in Translational Vision Science and Technology has found that people who are racial and ethnic minorities or live in rural communities are less likely to receive monitoring for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) progression in terms of NQF and AAO guidelines. The retrospective cohort study included adults with POAG from 12 tertiary-care health systems participating in the SOURCE Ophthalmology Big Data consortium in the US, according to a news release. Read more: https://lnkd.in/evMapbSA

Independent provider of NHS cataract surgery SpaMedica, based in the UK, is launching a glaucoma service across its network of specialist eye hospitals. NHS patients who receive care at SpaMedica Sale, SpaMedica Manchester, SpaMedica Worcester, SpaMedica Chester, and SpaMedica Haydock, will benefit from reduced waiting times for glaucoma assessments, monitoring, and treatment, according to a news release. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emuyU_y4

Opthea announced results from COAST, its phase 3 clinical trial in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). COAST (Combination OPT-302 with Aflibercept Study) evaluated sozinibercept (2 mg) every 4 or 8 weeks in combination with aflibercept (2 mg), as per label, every 8 weeks after a loading phase for the treatment of wet AMD. According to the company, the trial did not meet its primary endpoint of mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to week 52. In wet AMD patients with minimally classic and occult lesions, participants receiving sozinibercept combination therapy with a dosing regimen of every 4 weeks (n=296) or every 8 weeks (n=297) achieved a mean change in BCVA of 13.2 or 13.2 letters from baseline to week 52, respectively, compared to 3.8 letters with aflibercept monotherapy (n=299). Read more: https://lnkd.in/evZdWDir

New research released by The Vision Council has found that patients’ overall satisfaction in managed vision care (MVC) plans increased between 2023 and 2024, among other findings. The Focused inSights 2025: Managed Vision Care report provides details on how individuals enroll in MVC plans, their satisfaction with current vision insurance providers, levels of coverage for products and services, and how MVC coverage informs consumer choices concerning eye care providers and optical purchases, according to the news release. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gtVK5GB9

Optometry Australia (OA) has recently endorsed the World Council of Optometry (WCO) myopia management standard of care resolution. In the organization’s position statement, OA affirmed the WCO resolution and “supports a significant shift in clinical practice form merely correcting vision to employing strategies that slow myopia progression,” according to a news release. The OA supports the need for eye care providers to focus on assessing myopia risk and offering preventative counseling in addition to regular comprehensive eye examinations. In April 2021, WCO partnered with CooperVision to introduce its myopia management standard of care, defining evidence-based standard of care comprising of mitigation, measurement, and management. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dJe9MyKr

This week ushered in Bausch + Lomb's new lens fitting system for orthokeratology lens design process. Learn what else of note happened in this week's optometric recap: https://lnkd.in/erh3tBUd

The Frances G. Scaife Foundation recently donated a $100,000 grant to the Lighthouse Guild in an effort to aid in the expansion of programs to teach technological skills and provide training for patients with visual impairments. The donation was unveiled on February 5 by the private foundation, which has been a longtime donor to the Lighthouse Guild, according to a news release. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eG5TPRYu

EyeSouth Partners has announced a partnership with Retina Institute of Illinois, joining over 40 other eye care groups, more than 330 doctors providing medical and surgical care, and more than 220 locations that are affiliated with the management services organization. Affiliated eye care service organizations and practices are located throughout Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, and New York, according to a news release. Read more: https://lnkd.in/esAeEyve

Geographic atrophy presents unique challenges for optometrists, from early detection to patient education. Stay up to date on the latest clinical insights, research, and expert guidance with Optometry Times. Click here to explore our geographic atrophy coverage: https://hubs.li/Q03bLX8F0 #GeographicAtrophy #Optometry