Eyes On. February

Eyes On.

Welcome to the February edition of the Eyes On. Newsletter by Danny Laycock and #CMOphthalmology .

February is dedicated as AMD and Low Vision Awareness Month and ends with International Rare Disease Day. As well as this dedicated focus to raise awareness of diseases in ophthalmology, there were plenty of events and news release too.

Here are my February highlights…

Eyes On. Product Launches????????????????????????????????

There were several launch announcements throughout Feb, kicking off with NIDEK USA at the beginning of the month who launched the AL-Scan M Optical Biometer which incorporates 3D auto tracking enabling easy operation and accurate axial length measurements. Along with the MV-1 Myopia Viewer software, measurements can be monitored over time and compared to growth curves.

NIDEK USA also launched the Cube α ophthalmic surgical system which incorporates Gyro torsional ultrasound technology which provides increased safety and efficiency into phacoemulsification for moderate cataracts surgery. The AL-Scan M and the Cube α are both CE Mark approved but not yet available in the US.

The US market did get some new tech though with the launch of the Optovue Solix FullRange OCT by Visionix which features new poster high-density scan patterns, integrated cameras for fundus, external photography and external IR imaging as well as AngioVue, iWellness and AngioWellness software which provide 3D visualisation and can reveal the needs for more extensive imaging.

On the topic of software, Tracey Technologies released the iTrace Prime, an upgrade for the iTrace Ray Tracing aberrometer and corneal topographer which improves the range of information gathered from single devices.

Alcon announced the launch of their Alcon Experience Academy, which will help to optimise digital learning and training resources for eye care professionals.

Rustin Floyd , Global Director of Healthcare Practitioner Education and KOL Management at Alcon said, “We recognize ECPs increasingly rely on their mobile devices to get the information they need on the go, and with that in mind, there is no better way to celebrate the 5-year anniversary of our flagship AEA training program than by making the invaluable education it provides as accessible as possible.”

Eyes On. EU MDR

EU MDR continues to be a big topic of discussion for the entire medical devices industry with new announcements this month from the European parliament that transition periods for Class III devices and Class IIb implantable devices to December 2027 and Class IIa and Class I products to December 2028.

However, there were a couple of February announcements of companies receiving EU MDR Certification.

Eyenuk, Inc. announced that it’s EyeArt AI eye screening system became the first and only autonomous AI solution with Class IIb MDR CE marking for detection of diabetic retinopathy, AMD and glaucomatous optic nerve damage.

“Achieving MDR certification is a major milestone for Eyenuk and a result of our early adaptation to the more stringent requirements of the new regulation. It reaffirms the strong results from rigorous clinical validation of the?EyeArt?AI system," said Malavika B. , Head of Regulatory and Clinical Affairs at Eyenuk.

Norlase also announced that they have received EU MDR certification for their next generation laser solutions.

“Norlase upholds the highest regard for design, manufacturing, commercialization, and customer care in every major marketplace worldwide,” said jan forstberg , VP of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance. “MDR certification is an important milestone that demonstrates our commitment to compliance to even the most stringent of standards.”

Eyes On. Macular Degeneration

博士伦 launched a social media campaign with members of Sight Matters to raise awareness on AMD in line with the AMD Awareness Month.

The campaign, titled ‘What Sight Inspires You' showcased stories and perspectives from people living with AMD.

Secondary to age-related macular degeneration comes the issue of geographic atrophy, and there was huge news in this area this month. The FDA approved Syfovre from Apellis Pharmaceuticals which makes it the first and only treatment for geographic atrophy.

Syfovre’s approval was based on positive results from the phase 3 OAKS and DERBY studies and provides dosing flexibility with a regimen of every 25 to 60 days.?

Eyes On. New Hires

There were plenty of new additions and leadership changes happening in the ophthalmology industry.

Brent Saunders has returned to 博士伦 as CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors.

EyeCheq added Jai G. Parekh, MD, MBA, FAAO to their team as Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer.

Eyenuk, Inc. announced that Paul Praino has joined as their new Chief Commercial Officer.

Ace Vision Group appointed Cristos Ifantides MD, MBA as their new Director of Clinical Applications Development.

Neurolens welcomed Kelly Vaupel to their leadership team as their new VP of Commercial Transformation.

Harrow announced the appointment of Mark Mannebach as Head of Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance.

Good luck to all of these in their new roles and to anyone else starting news positions in February.?

?Eyes On. Events

There were plenty of events taking place throughout February. A highlight for me was being able to head down to London for 100% Optical to meet with old and new connections face-to-face.

The event saw a record breaking 10,657 visitors attend over the 3 days including Dame Prue Leith. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the show.

Other events included Arab Health Exhibition , Mido Eyewear and FacoElche.

Did you attend an event in Feb? Let me know.

Eyes On. Media

Not quite Feb, but right at the end of Jan, and after the last edition of Eyes On., ophthalmology was heavily featured on YouTube when Mr Beast aka Jimmy Donaldson , brought out a video showing how he partnered with Jeffrey Levenson and SEE International to sponsor 1000 cataract surgeries through the ‘Gift of Sight’ program.

His gesture meant that people across the US, Jamaica, Honduras, Namibia, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Kenya received free treatment that they would not usually have been able to afford.

There were many messages of support from the ophthalmology community, but he also faced criticism for the video. Should it come down to rich youtubers to support the fight against curable blindness or should more be being done?

Comedic actor, Ken Jeong also featured in eyecare news as he starred in his third commercial to promote Xiidra, 诺华 ’ dry eye disease treatment. Jeong, who is still a licensed physician in California, has been affected by DED for many years and uses his platform to promote treatment.

Content to check out this month:

Changing the Glaucoma Monitoring Paradigm - https://tinyurl.com/2s6253rn

Max G. Ostermeier discusses the eyemate technology platform from Implandata Ophthalmic Products and how the technology fills a gap in the IOP monitoring space.

Top 10 Eye Care Trends to Watch in the Next Decade - https://tinyurl.com/mrykh97r

Brilliant article from Ophthalmology Breaking News covering future trends to watch out for.

A Robotic Revolution - https://tinyurl.com/yckun7ak

The Ophthalmologist sat down with Joseph Nathan, MD, MSc of ForSight Robotics to discuss how robotic surgery can improve access to quality eyecare.

Company Spotlight: 2EYES Vision

Based in Tres Cantos, Madrid, 2EyesVision Vision are developing technologies to allow patients to experience the vision that multifocal corrections can give them before they go through IOL implantation, refractive surgery or contact lens fitting.

Their SimVis Gekko is a wearable, binocular and programmable device that acts as a fitting room for patients who are candidates for presbyopic corrections.

The device aims to reduce uncertainty in post-fitting results, reduce complaints and refunds and increasing multifocal prescriptions for clinics and eye care professionals globally which will result in improved patient satisfaction and profitability.

The company, led by CEO Carlos Dorronsoro Díaz , is a spin off from the Spanish National Research Council.

They recently won the III Open Call for Deep Tech Start-Ups Award at Transfiere 2023. They are definitely a company to keep an eye on as they bring the SimVis to more markets across the world.

Eyecare Vacancies:

I’m currently recruiting across the following areas:

?EUROPE:

·??????National Key Account Manager – DACH

·??????Cataract Sales Manager – France, Germany

·??????Surgical Sales Specialist – Multiple Locations

·??????Medical Affairs Director – Remote

·??????Surgical Equipment Specialist – UK

·??????Capital Equipment Sales Manager – Spain

?North America:

·??????Opto-Mechanical Engineer – Canada

·??????Senior Software Engineer – Multiple Locations – US & Canada

·??????Regional Sales Manager – Artificial Intelligence

·??????Ophthalmic Surgical Technologist – US

·??????Regulatory Affairs Director Surgical – US

Upcoming Events:

·??????ESCRS Winter Meeting – Portugal ????????????????????????????????? 10th-12th March

·??????International Conference of RIO – Egypt???????????????????????? 15th-17th March

·??????Vision Expo East – US????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 16th- 19th March

·??????Pan American Congress of Ophthalmology - Argentina ? 17th-20th March

·??????UK Neuro-Ophthalmology Society meeting – UK?????????? ?23rd March

·??????OSI Symposium & Dry Eye Masterclass – UK?????????????????? 24th-25th March

·??????AAPOS Meeting – New York?????????????????????????????????????????? ??29th Mar – 1st Apr

Are you looking to add headcount to your team in 2023??Reach out now to set up an introductory call.

To stay up to date with news, announcements, and start-ups from the ophthalmology and eyecare markets, subscribe to the?Eyes On.?newsletter and follow?#CMOphthalmology