Did you know that more industry professionals make their buying decisions at Vision Expo than at any other optical industry event?

Stay tuned for our reports on current wares from eyewear brands plus the latest advances in contact lenses, solutions, therapeutics, and diagnostic equipment. Whether you attend the conference or not, we’ll gather the key takeaways, so you don’t miss a thing.

And if you will be in Las Vegas, come see us at the Eyecare Republic booth (#PAN3064) on the tradeshow floor on Thursday, September 19. We will be gathering valuable insights from your fellow ECPs, facilitating chats between ECR ODs and attendees, and having fun in the process.

Plan to learn more at Vision Expo West about ECR:

• New partnerships with major industry players
• Meaningful professional development opportunities for members
• Access to cutting-edge resources to improve your clinical and business practices

Refer a member to ECR and win up to $100 in chips! You’re also invited to attend a mixer with ECR and partners at Top Golf and a party with ECR and OD’s on Facebook at Drai’s. Find out more and RSVP for those events at the links.

Related read: Eyecare Republic Announces New Partnerships to Enhance Its Network of Independent Optometrists

The post Vision Expo West 2024: Stay in the Loop appeared first on Optometry 411.

“We’re dedicated to providing eye care professionals with cutting-edge contact lens technologies that cater to their patients’ needs,” said Dinesh Guglani, vice president and general manager, North America Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb. “As Eyecare Republic’s elite contact lens partner, we’re excited to support the 20,000 independent practices nationwide with innovative products and business solutions.”

“Fait Distribution is excited to partner with EyeCare Republic as an elite level contact lens distributor.”, said Chad Moder, Vice President of Sales, Fait Distribution. “We are passionate about working alongside our customers to help them achieve their business and financial goals, while providing exemplary service to their offices.”

Michael Feldman, President & CEO of I-Deal Optics, echoed this sentiment: “We are thrilled to partner with Eyecare Republic and are confident that our margin-building product lines and attentive service will bring great value to members. For over 27 years, we have been committed to supporting independent eye care professionals, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of enhancing revenue and driving growth.”

In a rapidly evolving industry where technology, patient care needs, and business practices are constantly changing, Eyecare Republic aims to equip its members with the tools and support necessary to stay ahead. By offering access to business resources, continuing education, and a collaborative peer network, ECR empowers optometrists to navigate these shifts while continuing to provide top-quality care. The addition of these new partners reinforces ECR’s position as a leading community dedicated to innovation and excellence in optometry.

For more information about membership with ECR and its new partners, please visit https://eyecarerepublic.com, or contact Dr. Justin Weigel (jweigel@eyecarerepublic.com) for membership questions or Aaron Allen (aallen@eyecarerepublic.com or 855-859-8792.

About Eyecare Republic (ECR)

Eyecare Republic is a nationwide community of independent optometrists focused on improving patient care through collaboration, innovation, and shared resources. Members benefit from collective bargaining, business solutions, and continuous education, helping them to grow and enhance their practices.

About New Partners

Bausch + Lomb – U.S. headquarters in Bridgewater, N.J.

Bausch + Lomb is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the gift of sight for millions of people around the world — from birth through every phase of life. Its comprehensive portfolio of approximately 400 products includes contact lenses, lens care products, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products, and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb has a significant global research and development, manufacturing, and commercial footprint with approximately 13,000 employees and a presence in nearly 100 countries.

As an elite ECR partner in the United States, Bausch + Lomb’s contact lens brands, including Bausch + Lomb INFUSE®, Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® and Biotrue® ONEday, will be available to ECR members with unique pricing discounts and rebate programs. Members will also receive promotional pricing on certain Bausch + Lomb over-the-counter products. For more information,
visit www.bausch.com.

Fait – U.S. headquarters in Burlington, WI

Fait Distribution is passionate about providing the best service to its customers. Known for its responsive and intimate service, Fait is driven to help optometry businesses run more effectively by delivering high-quality contact lens solutions.

I-Deal Optics – U.S. headquarters in Troy, MI

Since 1996, I-Deal Optics has specialized in identifying market needs and offering profitable solutions to independent optometrists and eyewear chains alike. The company is committed to providing quality products, competitive pricing, and unmatched service to its customers.

The post Eyecare Republic Expands Network with New Partnerships to Enhance Optometry Nationwide appeared first on Optometry 411.

It’s important to stay abreast of the diagnostic developments in this area, of course. You can also use this unique facet of optometry to attract and retain patients. The invaluable benefit of regular eye exams on total health is not common knowledge, and you’d be well served making patients aware.

Messaging should always emphasize that regular eye exams are essential not only for maintaining good vision but also for monitoring one’s overall health. We’ve compiled a primer on the ways optometrists contribute to the early detection and subsequent management of systemic diseases, plus current related reads to help you with detection:

1. Diabetes

In the past, diabetes was identified in eye clinics only after visible signs of diabetic retinopathy. Recent research has identified subclinical and clinical changes that occur in the anterior segment of the eye with metabolic disease that allows for detection of diabetic eye disease at an early stage. Optometrists can also be on the lookout for early signs of diabetic retinopathy like microaneurysms, hemorrhages, and exudates in the retina.

Related reads:
Recognizing the Early Signs of Diabetic Eye Disease

Advancements in the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy: A Glimpse into Cutting-Edge Therapies

OU Researcher Developing Potential New Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy That Could Address the Problem Much Earlier

2. Hypertension

Signs of hypertensive retinopathy include narrowing of blood vessels, retinal hemorrhages, and optic disc swelling. Noticing these signs can lead to a prompt referral for an evaluation to initiate hypertension management and reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack.

Related read: Don’t Let the Pressure Get to You — or Your Patients: 3 Questions ODs Should Be Asking Themselves

3. Autoimmune Diseases

Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can present with eye symptoms like dry eye, uveitis, or scleritis that you can identify during routine exams. The first symptoms of Myasthenia gravis often involve drooping eyelids in one or both eyes and/or double vision, and dry eyes are a key feature of Sjögren’s syndrome. While not technically categorized as an autoimmune disease, the inflammatory disease sarcoidosis causes iritis and severe light sensitivity.

Related reads:
Autoimmune Disease and the Eye

Understanding Ocular Findings and Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Update Review of the Literature

Purtscher-Like Retinopathy: A Warning Sign of Lupus

4. Thyroid Disease

Piggybacking off autoimmune disease detection, optometrists can spot thyroid eye disease, which causes symptoms like proptosis, dry eyes, and double vision. Detecting thyroid-related eye symptoms early enables referral to an endocrinologist, oculoplastic surgeon, etc. for thyroid management and prevention of more severe complications.

Related reads:
Identifying the Constellation of Signs and Symptoms in TED

Thyroid Eye Disease In Your Exam Lane

Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy: The Role of Oxidative Stress

5. Multiple Sclerosis

Optic neuritis is often one of the first symptoms of MS and can be identified through symptoms like sudden vision loss or pain with eye movement. Once you’ve detected optic neuritis in an eye exam, you can refer to a neurologist for diagnosis and management.

Related reads:
Optometry’s Role in Multiple Sclerosis

Vision Problems Associated With Multiple Sclerosis

6. Cardiovascular Diseases

Changes in the retinal blood vessels, such as arteriovenous nicking or cotton wool spots, can indicate underlying cardiovascular issues. ODs can detect these signs during a dilated eye exam. Speedy referral to a cardiologist for further assessment can help prevent serious outcomes.

Related read: Ocular Manifestations of Common Cardiovascular Diseases

7. Cancer

Cancers like ocular melanoma, primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL), or metastatic tumors, can present with eye symptoms and unusual growths or lesions in the eye. Early detection leads to referral for oncology evaluation and treatment and can potentially improve the prognosis.

Related reads:
Understanding Ocular Metastatic Tumors and Simulating Lesions

How to Manage a Patient with Ocular Metastases?

Primary Intraocular Lymphoma: StatPearls

Effect of UV Radiation on Ocular Melanoma Differs Between Parts of the Eye

8. Infectious Diseases

Infections like HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis can have ocular manifestations such as retinitis or uveitis. Syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital warts, and pubic lice can also all affect layers of the eye. Identification can prompt crucial further testing and treatment of the underlying infection.

Related reads:
Ocular Manifestations of HIV

HIV Retinopathy: StatPearls

Ocular Manifestations and Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Involving the Uvea: A Case Series

If you want to shore up on your early detection skills even further, check out 20 Surprising Health Problems an Eye Exam Can Catch from the American Academy of Ophthalmology that includes additional conditions like giant cell arteritis, high cholesterol, sickle cell disease, and more. There’s a lot to look for during a routine eye exam, but with your help, patients can benefit from potentially life-saving early detection.

The post The Role of Optometrists in Detecting Systemic Diseases  appeared first on Optometry 411.

Date: November 6 – 9, 2024
Location: Indianapolis, IN

In the words of Jeffrey Walline, OD, PhD, FAAO:

The continuing education is second-to-none, and you can learn in a variety of formats including standard continuing education lectures by top-notch presenters, grand rounds presentations, workshops, rapid fire lectures, a variety of symposia, and small-group exchanges.

The opening Plenary Session always presents cutting-edge information that provokes thought and conversation. Attendees will also be able to interact with more than 125 vendors in the exhibit hall, while learning about and purchasing products that will improve patient care.

According to the Academy motto, “All CE, All the Time,” attendees can potentially earn 32+ hours of continuing education credit over the course of the meeting.

There are several registration tiers available, from guest pass to one-day to member and non-member tickets. The conference has rooms at seven hotels within walking distance to the Indiana Convention Center. Find info on rates and reservations as well as event registration at the link below.

Register here.

The post NOV 6 – 9 | Academy 2024 Indianapolis appeared first on Optometry 411.

Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Location: Indianapolis, IN

Note: November 5 is Election Day. Plan to vote early then join the conference!

What to Expect

Ellen Steinlein, a leadership development coach, presents “Asking for What You Want,” an interactive keynote and workshop. This simple act has the potential to reshape your life, your career and your relationships.

You’ll explore:

• Barriers to why we don’t ask
• The value of asking
• Three transformational ideas that will elevate the quality of your conversations and relationships

Whether you’re asking for more resources to support your work, negotiating a contract, or setting boundaries, you’ll take away key tips to practice every time you make a request. The dynamic and interactive presentation provides attendees the opportunity to practice some of these skills.

Not attending the Academy Meeting but still want to attend the Women’s Leadership Conference? Visit the link below for more details and to register for the WO event only.

Register here.

The post NOV 5 | 2024 Women’s Leadership Conference appeared first on Optometry 411.

Join the AAOMC for Vision By Design, four days of comprehensive meetings focused on the latest advances, research, and fitting techniques in all areas of myopia control and prevention, including orthokeratology.

Date: October 2 – 5, 2024
Location: Dallas, TX

Program Schedule Highlights

Myopia Management Profile

See more schedule details, speaker bios, and conference information at the registration link below.

Register here.

The post OCT 2 – 5 | AAOMC Vision By Design appeared first on Optometry 411.

Date: September 27 – 29, 2024
Location: Nashville, TN

What To Expect

• Expert panels
• Collaborative discussions
• Numerous networking opportunities

Gain insights from peers and experts in managing:

• Glaucoma
• Cornea, lid margin, and anterior segment disease
• Dry eye and ocular surface disease
• Presbyopia
• Retinal disease
• Collaborative cataract and refractive cases
• Practice and business matters

The Agenda

The thoughtful program agenda features concise presentations, diverse perspectives, and expert discussion focused on the cutting edge of all things medical optometry. You’ll learn:

• Practical advice for diagnosing and treating tricky cases
• Strategies to optimize patient communication
• Evolving technologies affecting day-to-day practice

See more about the full conference and details on the complete MOD Live program schedule here.

Register today!

The post SEP 27 – 29 | MOD Live 2024 appeared first on Optometry 411.

It’s hard to keep up with the massive beauty industry, particularly if you aren’t into makeup and beauty trends yourself. Let’s run down current problematic beauty trends and techniques so you’ll know what to look for, and what to ask about when seeing patients.

Tightlining

You see it all the time, but you may not know the term: Tightlining is a makeup technique where eyeliner is applied directly to the waterline, the skin between the base of the lashline and the cornea. It is likely the most common/popular practice on this list. Potential problems include:

• Blocking meibomian glands, causing MGD
• Increasing the amount of cosmetic that enters the tear film and contacts the surface of the eyes
• Exposure to bacteria from unclean or shared products
• Product transfer onto contact lenses causing vision disruption, irritation, and infection

Many people don’t know to be cautious of tightlining because its complications aren’t common knowledge. Beauty magazines have promoted using eyeliner on the waterline for decades, and even if you do show the risks, as Dr. Brittani Carver did on TikTok in 2021 of a longtime tightliner’s gnarly MGD, many viewers still replied that they would not be deterred. As I said, it’s an extremely popular technique.

Eyeliner Tattoos

This is a permanent makeup trend with an important caveat: None of the pigments used for eyelid tattoos are approved for use by the FDA. Eyeliner tattooing involves multiple application treatments, any one of which can cause an adverse reaction:

The process can cause physical damage to the meibomian glands due to dye obstructing the duct, chronic lid margin inflammation, allergic reactions, and potential severe reactions like full thickness lid margin penetration, infections, and eyelid scarring. Eyeliner tattoos may affect the eyes with individuals that have undergone the procedure showing increased corneal staining, shorter tear break up time, and greater amount of meibomian gland dropout.  (Source: Through the Lens of Beauty: Navigating Cosmetic Trends and Their Ocular Effects)

Glitter Eyeshadow

You’ve probably seen glitter in a tear duct or two under your slit lamp, no? Needless to say, anything stuck in a tear duct can cause problems. Glitter can also penetrate the tear film and create corneal abrasions. If people use craft glitter on their face, as opposed to a cosmetic glitter, the risks go up.

In the interest of providing safer solutions to harmful products, you could recommend a cream shadow instead of a glitter powder — it’s less likely to get … everywhere. As with tightlining, having glittery eyelids is a beauty trend that’s not going anywhere, so it’s best to properly advise patients and provide safer alternatives when possible.

Lash Serum

Problems with lash serums are well documented at this point. Serums can cause burning and irritation, iris darkening, conjunctival hyperemia, periorbitopathy due to orbital fat loss, upper eyelid ptosis, and chronic dry eye. Safety information on the packaging is often insufficient and serums are categorized as cosmetics when many actually contain prostaglandin analogues. The good news is that most of these side effects are dose-dependent and may be reversible with treatment discontinuation. (Source: Real Talk About Eyelash Enhancements)

Key lash serum takeaways:

• There is still only one lash serum currently approved by the FDA: bimatoprost 0.3% (Latisse).
• Lash growth serums should not be used while wearing contact lenses.
• Providing visual evidence of potential complications makes patients more likely to consider alternatives.
• Nonprostaglandin analog products like castor oil-based conditioners are not scientifically proven to help lashes grow, but can be a generally safer option for many. Still, there is insufficient research evaluating many of these serums and their safety and efficacy.

Lash Extensions

Lash extensions have exploded in popularity in recent years, despite their regular maintenance requiring two-hour-plus appointments every two to four weeks. Potential complications are numerous:

• Lagophthalmos
• Short-term increases in tear meniscus height and corneal staining
• Risk of chalazia/hordeola
• Keratoconjunctivitis, allergic blepharitis, and conjunctival erosion from the glue used in the application process
• Itching, redness, pain, watery eyes, heavy eyelids, foreign body sensation, and burning
• Hygiene issues from extensions being worn for weeks at a time

Safer practices for extensions include using glues that do not contain cyanoacrylate, latex, or ammonia and removers that are oil-based. You could recommend OTC hypochlorous acid as a cleaning option that will not dissolve the glues. (Source: Lashing Out: Dangerous Beauty Trends)

The DED Factor

We’ve gotten through all this with only one dry eye mention. Let’s remedy that. Current research shows that eye makeup in general is having an impact. In this month’s issue of Contact Lens Update, the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) highlighted a study that indicates a link between frequent use of eye cosmetics and dry eye symptoms. CORE lists several recommendations you can share with patients:

• Remove contact lenses and all traces of makeup, especially before going to sleep.
• Patients prone to symptoms of DED should consider the following options to mitigate exacerbation of their dry eye symptoms:
  • Applying cosmetics further away from the ocular surface
  • Limiting eyeliner to the external lids only
  • Avoiding eyeshadows that may contain larger shimmery particles
  • Avoiding false eyelashes (and lash extensions)
• All cosmetic users should be reminded to discard and replace their eye cosmetics on a regular basis and to ensure applicators are regularly cleaned. (Source: Article Review: Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease and Its Association with the Frequent Usage of Eye Cosmetics Among Women)

I recommend visiting all the sources linked in this article for deeper dives on the treatment of complications resulting from cosmetics and eye-related beauty trends, plus additional ways to educate patients about healthier practices and alternatives. Through the Lens of Beauty: Navigating Cosmetic Trends and Their Ocular Effects is particularly informative.

Keep in mind that you are the trusted authority in a sea of beauty influencers and positive product reviews that do not take eye health into account.

The post Problematic Cosmetic Trends: Latest Insights and Recommendations appeared first on Optometry 411.

This enhanced industry experience includes meetings and events hosted by The Vision Council, diverse show floor activations, engaging programming, and a world-class education sessions.

Date: September 18 – 21, 2024
Location: The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas, NV

Program Highlights

VisionEd at Vision Expo

Select from an extensive catalog of accredited optometric, opticianry, and business education spanning subjects from disease management and practice expansion, to lens innovation and business management. Enhance your learning with real-world experience with the industry’s leading exhibitors in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and technology.

OptiCon @ Vision Expo

Unlock a world of knowledge and growth with the OptiCon @ Vision Expo education package. Dive into six key areas of education, including optical technology, allied health, contact lens, practice management and business solutions, and ABO and NCLE basic, advanced, and practical exam review courses.

Expo Hall

The show floor is expansive (see a map here). Uncover innovations in lens processing, medical and diagnostic tech, disease management solutions, contact lens innovations, and eyecare practice optimization. Examine the broadest selection of fashion, sports, and prestige eyewear. Get a bird’s eye view of the frontier of vision technology that’s paving the way for what’s to come.

Find out more and register here.

The post SEP 18 – 21 | Vision Expo West 2024 appeared first on Optometry 411.

Date: September 7 – 8
Location: Online
Price: $219 for an all-access pass to all sessions

Note: Access all conference sessions on demand through December 1, 2024.

Register to receive exclusive discounts from leading vendors, and tune in to the final livestream in September to chat with optometric thought leaders and eye care industry executives.

Program Highlights

The CEwire2024 September schedule features an array of instructional topics:

• Myopia Management: The Next Generation
• Ten Innovations in Eye Care That You Need to Know About
• Decision Making in Glaucoma Management
• Creating the Ideal Optical Team
• Ocular Nutrition Controversies
• OCT Interpretation: A New and Easy Method for all Users
• and much more…

View the September schedule here and check out a course list for ALL conference dates/sessions here.

Register here.

The post SEP 7 – 8 | CEwire2024 appeared first on Optometry 411.