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weekly e-journal by Art Epstein, OD, FAAO
Off the Cuff: We Begin Again
Welcome to 2021 and a belated, but sincere Happy New Year. With 2020 finally in the rearview mirror, it’s time to start looking forward. Yes, I suspect 2021 will have its own challenges and unpleasant twists and turns, but for now, let’s focus on the bright spots of the new year. 2021 will usher in major innovation and broader use of advanced ocular diagnostics and therapeutics. Let’s take a look.
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Prevalence of Contact Allergens in Best-selling Ophthalmic Products | ||||
Ophthalmic products are a common but often overlooked contributor to allergic contact dermatitis. Frequency of allergenic ingredients in over-the-counter ophthalmic products has not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of allergenic ingredients in most commonly bought eye lubricants and contact lens solutions. A product list of Amazon.com's best-selling ophthalmic products was curated by searching for "Best Sellers in Eye Drops, Lubricants & Washes" and "Best Sellers in Contact Lens Care Products." For exploratory analysis, indication, price, consumer ratings, number of reviews, and FDA approval status were recorded. The products' ingredients were compiled using NLM DailyMed, and products that had one or more allergens or relevant cross-reactors on either the 2018 American Contact Dermatitis Society Core Allergen Series or the 2015-2016 North American Contact Dermatitis Group Standard Allergen Series were noted. Forty-eight percent (n=49) of the total products, (57.8% [n=37] of eye lubricants, and 31.6% [n=12] of contact lens solutions) had one or more allergens or associated cross-reactors. Identified allergens were benzalkonium chloride, propylene glycol, sorbic acid, amidoamine, sorbitan sesquioleate, chlorhexidine digluconate, lanolin alcohol, parabens, benzyl alcohol and butylated hydroxytoluene. |
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SOURCE: Om A, Yeung H, de la Feld S. Prevalence of contact allergens in best-selling ophthalmic products. dermatitis. 2020; Sep 8. [Epub ahead of print]. |
Aerobic Exercise Reduces Intraocular Pressure and Expands Schlemm's Canal Dimensions in Healthy and Primary Open-angle Glaucoma Eyes | ||||
Researchers wrote that aerobic exercise (AE) has been reported to decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy subjects, and there are concomitant morphological changes in the anterior segment of the eye including Schlemm's canal (SC). However, its effects on IOP and SC morphology in glaucoma patients had not been studied before. Researchers aimed to investigate the effect of AE on the IOP and SC dimension in both healthy and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes. The area and diameter of SC and IOP were measured in 35 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients (59 eyes) and 36 healthy subjects (72 eyes) before and after performing moderate intensity of AE by running on a treadmill for 30 minutes. SC was imaged by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) for evaluation.
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SOURCE: Yuan Y, Lin TPH, Gao K, et al. Aerobic exercise reduces intraocular pressure and expands Schlemm's canal dimensions in healthy and primary open-angle glaucoma eyes. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2020; Dec 31. [Epub ahead of print]. |
Disruption of 24-hour Rhythm in Intraocular Pressure Correlates with Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss in Glaucoma | ||||
Parameters of 24-hour rhythm in intraocular pressure (IOP) were assessed in patients with stable or advanced primary open-angle glaucoma (S-POAG/A-POAG) and referenced the phase of "marker" circadian temperature rhythm of each patient. Body temperature and IOP were measured over a 72-hour span in 115 participants (65 S-POAG and 50 A-POAG). Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage was assessed by high-definition optical coherence tomography. Investigators found that the 24-hour IOP rhythm in A-POAG patients peaked during the night, opposite to the daytime phase position in S-POAG patients. The 24-hour IOP phase correlated with RGC loss. The internal phase shift between IOP and body temperature gradually increased with POAG progression. Angiotensin converting enzyme Alu-repeat deletion/insertion (ACE I/D) emerged as a candidate gene polymorphism, which may play a role in the alteration of the circadian IOP variability in advanced glaucoma. |
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SOURCE: Neroev V, Malishevskaya T, Weinert D, et al. Disruption of 24-hour rhythm in intraocular pressure correlates with retinal ganglion cell loss in glaucoma. Int J Mol Sci. 2020; Dec 31. [Epub ahead of print]. |
News & Notes | ||||||||
Kala Announces Availability of Eysuvis, Updates Development Pipeline
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Coburn Announces New ProCoat Hard Lens Coating, Welcomes Lentocha as Director of Service Coburn Technologies introduced ProCoat, a hard coating for backside lens coaters designed for abrasion resistance, adhesion, tintability, clarity and stability. It is intended to deliver higher abrasion resistance and offer a greater degree of adhesion across a broad range of lens materials and superior tintability. Like Coburn’s UVMAX and DURA-UV, ProCoat is approved for use in competitive coating systems, is fast curing and achieves high yields at an affordable cost. ProCoat is also free of volatile solvents for safer shipping and handling. Learn more. In addition, the company welcomed Christopher Lentocha to its service team as the new director of service. Lentocha recently served as director of customer service at VITAS Healthcare, and he held managerial roles at Pelican Products and Meridian Medical Management. |
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Bruder Introduces Pre-Surgical Patient Prep Kit Responding to demand from eye-care professionals, Bruder collaborated with ophthalmic surgeons and comanaging optometrists to develop the Bruder Sx Pre-Surgical Patient Prep Kit. The hygiene products needed by presurgical patients are available in a single, self-contained kit that doctors can provide directly in their practices or via the company’s new online patient portal. The kit includes the company’s hygienic eyelid cleansing wipes, its hygienic eyelid solution, the Bruder Sx Pre-Surgical Compress and the Bruder Sx Case. Learn more. |
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Volk Releases ClearPod to Solve Mask-related Fogging Volk Optical released its newest product, the ClearPod, to solve the problem of mask-related fogging during fundus exams. This patent-pending design was created in collaboration with Bradley Sacher, MD, a cataract specialist and Jeremy Wingard, MD, a glaucoma specialist at Wheaton Eye Clinic. When a patient breathes naturally while wearing a mask, air escapes through the gaps in the mask and accumulates on the lens surface causing condensation and obstructing views of the retina and slowing down the exam. The ClearPod clips securely onto the Volk fundus lens and form a barrier, directing air currents away from the lens surface. Learn more. |
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New Hi-Health Division Streamlines Product Ordering Using EHR Hi-Health’s new eye care division will help streamline product ordering on electronic health records systems. Vista products will be available to select on the EHR, similar to the way prescriptions are filled out. Eye care professionals search for the Vista brand, select Hi-Health’s Pharmacy and input orders. Initial product offerings include artificial tears and tea tree oil-based lid cleansing products, along with a family of advanced macular and dry eye supplements. The company chose its unique business model after hearing complaints from doctors that patients’ retail purchases weren’t consistent with their recommended treatments. Learn more about the company. |
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Ocular Therapeutix Announces Supplemental NDA for Dextenza Ocular Therapeutix announced submission to the FDA of a supplemental New Drug Application for Dextenza (dexamethasone ophthalmic insert) 0.4 mg for intracanalicular use. If approved, the sNDA would include the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis as an additional approved indication. Read more. |
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Eye Designs Group Launches Merchandiser Pro Software Eye Designs announced the launch of merchandising software enabling users to generate planograms used by retailing professionals, and three-dimensional models featuring frame board layouts along with Eye Designs’ most popular accessories (frame holders, shelving, signage, etc). The software keeps track of all accessories being added while the user interacts with a real-time image of the design. Read more. |
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Optos Introduces UWF Imaging Advancements Optos’ line of ultra-widefield imaging devices are offering several advancements. The Daytona model has improved optics for visualization across the optomap image and automatic laterality detection to improve image capture time. It also features an updated design and user interface. The Silverstone model, which offers optomap-guided swept source optical coherence tomography, includes a Repeat Scan tool for monitoring changes over time, and an Explorer mode to display OCT scan type and location. In addition, auto contrast is available for angiography capture. Learn more about the company. |
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Heru Completes FDA Registration Heru, a Bascom Palmer Eye Institute medical technology company developing a next-generation AI platform for vision diagnostics and augmentation, announced its class I listing with the FDA for its cloud-based virtual reality platform’s first diagnostic application for visual field exams. Heru’s platform is designed to autonomously diagnose vision defects and customize individual vision augmentation based on the user’s unique vision defects. Read more. |
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IDOC Reports Business Expansion in 2020, Opens Registration for 2021 Conference IDOC added more than 250 independent optometry practices to the IDOC community in 2020. The privately held IDOC alliance, founded in 1999, includes private practice owners in all states. Over the past 12 months, IDOC launched a number of benefits for members, including a redesigned website and expanded consulting team, social media marketing services and a partnership with Illinois-based United Eye Care Providers, focused on advancing medical optometry expertise for independent ODs. Learn more. In addition, registration is now open for IDOC’s National Conference, The Connection 2021: A Virtual Experience!, which will be held virtually Feb. 3-5. Register here. |
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Keeler Announces Global Portal Keeler announced the launch of its Global Portal. The site will enable the ophthalmic industry to engage with Keeler on OEM manufacturing services, strategic partnerships and product ideas to bring to market. Learn more. |
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Prevent Blindness Launches Glaucoma Community, Calls for Nominations |
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Optometric Physician™ (OP) newsletter is owned and published by Dr. Arthur Epstein. It is distributed by the Review Group, a Division of Jobson Medical Information LLC (JMI), 19 Campus Boulevard, Newtown Square, PA 19073. HOW TO ADVERTISE |