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| Vol. 23, #48 • Monday, December 19, 2022 |
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Off the Cuff: Not Again
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is at it again. The Contact Lens Rule that was imposed in 2020 requiring eye doctors to have patients sign copies of their contact lens prescription and save the signed copy in their records as proof they were given to the patient is possibly going to be expanded. Expanded where you may ask? To eyeglass prescriptions of course. Beginning in January 2023, the FTC will be calling for a 60-day consumer comment period to evaluate whether the same requirement should be imposed on eyeglass prescriptions.
Who is asking for this? With the Contact Lens Rule, it was fairly evident that the online contact lens retailers led the charge. I don't believe that this is coming from the online eyeglass retailers though. Currently a patient can go to many online retailers and order any eyeglass power they like without any verification whatsoever. My best guess would be that this is likely coming from the big box brick and mortars or the biggest online eyeglass retailer. We likely will never know for sure.
The American Optometric Association (AOA) fought the contact lens rule and will be fighting this as well. In 2020, Dr. Epstein flew to Washington, DC, to testify at the FTC hearing on behalf of the AOA. I remember him coming home frustrated and saying it was obvious the FTC was going through the motions and had already made up its mind, ignoring not only the AOA but also our elected state representatives. It seems as if optometry is being singled out and vilified by the FTC again. Rules regarding giving patients their contact lens prescriptions were already on the books then just as they are for eyeglass prescriptions now. The current call for comment is likely "just for show" for the already forgone conclusion of another unnecessarily imposed redundancy and practice burden.
Want to share your perspective?
Write to Dr. Shannon L. Steinhäuser, OD, MS, FAAO at ssteinhauser@gmail.com.
The views expressed in this editorial are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Jobson Medical Information LLC (JMI), or any other entities or individuals.
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Association Between Dry Eye Disease and Depression
This umbrella review aimed to summarize the available evidence on the association between dry eye disease and depression. Review authors searched the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases using the search strings "Dry eye syndrome or Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS or Aqueous tear deficiency or Sjogren syndrome” and “depression or depressive symptoms” and “meta-analysis or systematic review" from inception to July 20, 2022. They looked at all meta-analyses investigating the association between dry eye disease and depression.
Researchers concluded that dry eye disease is associated with depression. The symptoms of dry eye disease affect the daily lives of patients, thus affecting their mood. However, researchers noted that further evidence is required to confirm this association.
The finding highlights the importance of psychological support for patients with dry eye disease. Researchers suggested that future clinical studies should investigate the mechanism underlying the association between dry eye disease and depression.
SOURCE: Tsai CY, Jiesisibieke ZL, Tung TH. Association between dry eye disease and depression: An umbrella review. Front Public Health. 2022; Nov 17. [Epub ahead of print].
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Is Dacryocystectomy Effective in Reducing Epiphora?
This study investigated the efficacy of dacryocystectomy (DCT) in reducing epiphora in cases of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This prospective, nonrandomized, interventional study was conducted over a period of 12 months. All cases who either opted or satisfied criteria for DCT in primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (age above 70 years) were included in the study. Patients with secondary nasolacrimal duct obstruction and those undergoing revision surgeries were excluded. Patients were asked to report the percentage improvement in postoperative watering subjectively. Munk score and fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT) were recorded pre- and postoperatively.
Eighty-two eyes of 65 patients were included. Most of the patients (46, 70.8%) were females. The mean age was 68.46 ± 5.7 years (range: 60 to 85 years). The mean subjective improvement in watering was 86.8%. The P value for preoperative and postoperative difference in Munk score and FDDT score was highly significant.
This study concluded that aside from providing relief from ocular discharge, DCT also provides significant improvement in watering. Patients can be preoperatively counseled regarding chances of reduction in epiphora following surgery.
SOURCE: Alam MS, Kundu D. Is dacryocystectomy effective in reducing epiphora? Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022;70(12):4416-8.
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Corneal Ulcer Due to Monkeypox Infection
Investigators reported on the following rare case of keratitis due to monkeypox infection: A 45-year-old male presented with an epithelial corneal ulcer 20 days following initial diagnosis of monkeypox from genital and perioral lesions. PCR analysis of the epithelium confirmed the presence of human monkeypox virus. The patient was hospitalized, and ganciclovir gel, as well as povidone iodine 0.6% and moxifloxacin eyedrops were prescribed. Oral tecovirimat 600 mg was administered for 14 days. A therapeutic contact lens was used. Twenty days after the initial diagnosis of keratitis, the corneal defect closed leaving a faint subepithelial haze.
This uncommon case report revealed epithelial keratitis due to human monkeypox. PCR positivity for monkeypox in the corneal epithelium confirmed the presence of viral material in the cornea.
SOURCE: Lamas-Francis D, Treviño M, Pérez-Freixo H, et al. Corneal ulcer due to monkeypox infection. Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2022; Dec 12:1-3.
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Industry News
Non-Preserved Latanoprost Approved
Thea Pharma announced the FDA approved Iyuzeh (latanoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.005% for the reduction of elevated
intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The company says Iyuzeh is the only clinically proven, non-preserved formulation of latanoprost available in the United
States.
Learn more.
Curesight Now Available
NovaSight announced its digital therapy for amblyopia, CureSight, will be available for sale this month. It was approved by the FDA in October. Read more.
Harrow to Acquire Five Ophthalmic Products from Novartis
Harrow entered into an agreement to acquire the exclusive U.S. commercial rights to the following five FDA-approved ophthalmic products from Novartis:
• Ilevro (nepafenac ophthalmic suspension) 0.3%;
• Nevanac (nepafenac ophthalmic suspension) 0.1%;
• Vigamox (moxifloxacin hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) 0.5%;
• Maxidex (dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension) 0.1%; and
• Triesence (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension) 40 mg/ml.
Harrow will make a one-time payment of $130 million at closing, with up to an additional $45 million payable upon the commercial availability of Triesence, which is expected in the second half of 2023. Read more.
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Journal Reviews Editor:
Katherine M. Mastrota, MS, OD, EMBA, FAAO
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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.
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