Most of the 45 million contact lens wearers in the United States practice at least some behaviors that put them at risk for serious eye infections, according to a recent report from the CDC. One third of lens wearers who responded to the study’s survey recalled never hearing any lens care recommendations from their eye doctor, even though most clinicians reported sharing recommendations always or most of the time. So, despite the educational efforts going on in the exam rooms, the importance of lens care isn’t always getting through.

Research continues to show that most serious complications are linked to modifiable behaviors such as overnight wear without approval, water exposure, and poor case hygiene. “Some of the most common problems happen because patients are trying to save time or money,” says Teresa Narayan, OD, in the RCCL piece quoted above.

Contact Lens Institute (CLI) addressed the compliance problem most recently by updating The EASY Way (Eyes, Awareness, Safety and You), its initiative that helps the eye care community discuss healthy contact lens wear-and-care routines with patients.

Use these new free assets to boost patient education: a one-sheet infographic, social media designs, animated GIF, YouTube shorts, and even a staff quiz for your practice. All digital graphics are available in five languages.

The Center for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) is another great spot for patient education handouts on a host of contact lens-related topics. Here’s a few that caught my eye:

• Can Kids Wear Contact Lenses? A Guide for Parents
• Inserting a Contact Lens: A Guide for Children (Includes step-by-step photos and problems/solutions. There’s a separate guide for removing contact lenses.)
• Unexpected All-Nighter? Don’t Be Casual with your Contact Lenses
• Eye Makeup Tips for People Who Wear Soft Contact Lenses

The CDC offers a few one-sheets here: Healthy Contact Lens Wear and Care

The AOA and CDC partnered on a one-minute-long, shareable YouTube video: 9 Healthy Contact Lens Habits

Further recommended resources:

How Can We Better Inform Patients of the Importance of Contact Lens Compliance?: Current Perspectives, Clinical Optometry

Contact Lens Rule Compliance Toolkit for ODs, AOA

Here’s an interesting discussion in r/Chempros about wearing contact lenses in a lab setting. And I’ll include the most recent CDC guidance on contact lens use in a chemical environment. Historically, labs would prohibit contact lenses entirely because of the belief that lenses could trap chemicals against the eye, but modern research doesn’t support a blanket ban. The most important rule: Lenses are not eye protection.

The post Contact Lens Patient Education Resources appeared first on Optometry 411.

Pharmacologic treatments for presbyopia promise to give patients freedom and flexibility in the midst of busy careers and active lifestyles. They’re non-invasive, they’re adjustable, and they offer help in transitioning between near, intermediate, and distance vision. But patients miss the boat if optometrists don’t discuss it with them. Jacob Lang, OD, FAAO, called it out at CIME 2025 to Optometry Times:

Some of the barriers that patients run into with regards to pharmacologic correction and presbyopia … I think one of the biggest ones is their providers. It’s actually the doctors not knowing what options are out there with regards to pharmacologic correction and how those pharmacologic options might benefit their patients in their chairs. So furthering their education, embracing new things … I think that’s the biggest thing and the biggest barrier to patients getting access to these options.

Who are the best candidates?

Presbyopia drops tend to work best for patients who meet most of the following criteria:

• Early to moderate presbyopia, where near blur is present but not yet constant across all tasks
• Stable distance vision, whether emmetropic or well corrected with spectacles or contact lenses
• Patients seeking situational near-vision support for workdays, social events, or travel
• Post-refractive surgery patients who have good distance outcomes but are frustrated by the onset of presbyopia

Patients with significant cataracts, retinal pathology, or severe dry eye are not ideal candidates. Pupil size, while a factor, isn’t as critical as motivation and ocular health. Also at CIME 2025, Selina McGee, OD, FAAO, emphasized that it’s less about the perfect measurement and more about the patient’s willingness to try something new.

Drops can complement progressive lenses or monovision or multifocal contact lenses. And as bulleted above, they can support post-surgery patients or those seeking a temporary boost. McGee urged ODs to educate patients on combining options based on their lifestyle needs.

Here’s important context from Marc Bloomenstein, OD, FAAO, in his deep dive on presbyopia eye drops (which we recommend reading).

Presbyopia drops aim to restore near vision by targeting the size of the pupil and thus inducing an extended depth of focus. A very important and distinct feature to note is that we are not inducing accommodation; thus, there is not an enlargement of text on the page or screen, as you would experience wearing readers, for instance. When patients who have myopia look through a progressive lens or multifocal contact lens, they are magnifying the image. Presbyopia drops do not have the same magnifying effect and therefore, as with any new treatment, they have an adaptation curve. There is, and will be, an adaptive period that is needed to allow the visual system to align with these new modalities.

Available and emerging drops

Current options:

Vuity (pilocarpine 1.25%)

• The first FDA-approved presbyopia drop (2021)
• Works by inducing miosis to increase depth of field
• Uses a proprietary rapid pH-shifting mechanism (pHast) designed to enhance absorption
• Onset: ~15 minutes, duration: up to 6 hours
• Common side effects: Headache, brow ache, eye redness, and reduced night vision due to pupil constriction
• No ocular surface lubricant in the formulation, which might contribute to stinging or burning on instillation, especially in patients with dry eye
• See Vuity prescribing information

Qlosi (pilocarpine 0.4%)

• FDA-approved in 2023
• Also induces miosis via pilocarpine
• Lower pilocarpine concentration → fewer side effects (and slower onset but greater comfort on instillation)
• Onset: ~20–30 minutes, duration: up to 6 hours
• Soothing vehicle formulation helps support the ocular surface
• Ideal for those who experienced discomfort with higher concentrations
• See Qlosi prescribing information

Another CIME 2025 attendee, Neda Shamie, MD, pointed out, “This new drop is really a two-in-one solution. It provides the visual benefits of pilocarpine while also supporting the ocular surface, which is often compromised in this demographic.”

Vizz (aceclidine ophthalmic solution) 1.44%

• FDA-approved in August 2025
• Uses aceclidine, a pupil-selective cholinergic agent, to induce miosis and increase depth of field
• Designed to limit ciliary muscle stimulation compared with pilocarpine-based drops
• Dose: Once daily using two sequential drops per eye from a single-dose vial
• Onset: ~30 minutes, duration: up to 10 hours
• See Vizz prescribing information

Yuvezzi (carbachol 2.75% / brimonidine tartrate 0.1%)

• FDA-approved in January 2026
• Fixed-dose combination of a cholinergic agonist (carbachol) and an alpha-adrenergic agonist (brimonidine)
• Designed to induce miosis and increase depth of field while moderating some miotic-related effects through combination therapy
• Dose: Once daily
• Onset: ~30 minutes, duration: 8–10 hours
• See Yuvezzi prescribing information

Recommended read: For a deeper dive into clinical implications of currently available drops, including ophthalmologist commentary, check out Options for Presbyopia Treatment Continue to Evolve, Healio

In the pipeline:

Current development in the presbyopia pipeline are focused less on expanding the field and more on refining durability, tolerability, and delivery. Here’s a few notables:

• Nyxol (phentolamine 0.75%) uses a different mechanism — alpha blockers — to modulate pupil size, with Phase III data reporting significant near-vision improvement and extended duration
• Microdosed delivery systems (such as Eyenovia’s MicroLine) are in development, using established pharmacologic agents delivered in smaller, more precise volumes
• Lens-softening agents (including LX-OPH-162) are also under investigation, although earlier in development as a non-miotic approach

A note on barriers:

Many of these newer therapies still lack long-term efficacy data. What has also become more explicit in newer clinical commentary is that the category lives or dies on patient experience. That includes headache rates, dimming complaints, redness, and night driving concerns, especially because these drops are elective, cash-pay treatments.

On the provider side, we expect some will wait to see which brands rise to the top. That, combined with a desire to wait for post-market experience, will likely be the main factors slowing widespread use.

This content is intended for educational purposes only and does not substitute for clinical judgment. Treatment decisions should be based on individual patient needs, professional guidelines, and a comprehensive clinical evaluation.

The post A Practical Guide to Presbyopia Drops [UPDATED] appeared first on Optometry 411.

So assuming most of your patients have done some form of prior searching — what’s the best way to handle that? Good old emotional intelligence. It’s also helpful to make a distinction between pre-visit research (understandable, relatable) and diagnostic fixation (potentially problematic).

How should you respond when The Internet enters the exam room?

Sometimes the explanation they’ve landed on is incomplete. Sometimes it’s flat-out wrong. Sometimes, to be fair, they’ve nailed it. Still, whenever a patient brings up what they’ve read online, it’s natural to want to shut it down with warnings about Dr. Google.

But the best way to approach things chairside is taking a beat to acknowledge their research efforts … without endorsing their conclusions. And always keep the focus on your clinical reasoning:

I can see why that explanation made sense based on the symptoms you’re describing. Let me walk you through what I’m seeing and how it compares.

That kind of response brings your expertise to the fore without making a patient feel bad for trying to understand their own symptoms.

Plus, these days, more and more people are aware of the general pitfalls of symptom searches. It’s reasonable to offer a gentle reminder that online information can get overwhelming fast. A low-key acknowledgment of that reality helps take the edge off and keeps the exam moving forward.

Should you recommend credible online sources?

Certainly, just be selective about it. Patients are going to keep reading regardless. Recommending a specific resource or a small number of reputable sources can help point them to information that’s accurate and less alarmist.

If you want to read more about this, I can point you to a few sources that line up with what we see clinically. Just keep in mind that they’re meant to add context, not replace what we’re seeing today.

And if you notice the same questions or conditions coming up again and again, it’s worth creating an in-house handout that addresses those topics directly and shares how your practice approaches them.

What if the patient’s “research” is obviously wrong?

This is where a visit can go downhill.

When you hear information that’s clearly wrong, it’s tempting to correct it swiftly and shut it down. But that approach can do a couple things: 1) It has the chance of starting a debate. 2) Patients who feel embarrassed or dismissed may be less receptive to what you’re saying, or may leave without really buying into your recommendations.

A more effective approach is to explain why certain claims circulate and what you would expect to see if they were accurate:

That explanation comes up a lot online, but if it worked the way it’s described, I’d be seeing different changes here. What I’m seeing points us in a different direction.

Again, you’re taking a beat to separate their research efforts from their conclusion. It’s not about shaming them for looking something up. It’s about correcting the misinformation, but doing so calmly. And, importantly, you’re doing it through explained observation and reasoning rather than white-coat authority alone.

You ultimately want patients to understand why your assessment carries more weight than a search result, and the best way to do so is to show them what you’re looking for, what you’re ruling out, and why.

Sidebar: Front desk staff often hear these concerns first, especially on phone calls. Support your team by helping them establish some phrases they can use during these kinds of calls. Here are a few examples that warmly redirect patients towards next steps — without confirming or dismissing what they may have read/seen:

• That’s something the doctor looks at pretty often. They’ll be able to give you a clearer answer once they’ve examined your eyes.
• A lot of patients call with similar concerns. The exam will give the doctor what they need to explain it clearly.
• The best way to get a straight answer on that is to have the doctor take a look. We can get you scheduled so they can walk through what you’ve been reading about.

More on this topic: Eyetube video on “How to (Respectfully) Correct a Patient“

The post When Patients Bring Internet Diagnoses: How To Handle It Gracefully appeared first on Optometry 411.

Of course, some night driving symptoms are due to underlying ocular or neural factors — IOL optics, corneal irregularity, retinal health, mesopic pupil behavior — that may not respond meaningfully to lens-based solutions. Even so, patients often look to their OD for guidance on what can realistically improve night driving comfort.

Today, Optometry 411 looks at the brands and categories worth knowing about as you help patients navigate the lens-based options available.

ZEISS DriveSafe

ZEISS DriveSafe is one of the more established driving-specific lens designs and a common reference point for ODs, and it is sometimes presented as an everyday lens with driving benefits rather than a dedicated night-driving pair. It’s a clear lens paired with an AR coating tuned to reduce perceived glare from headlights, streetlights, and reflective road surfaces.

Hoya EnRoute 

Hoya’s EnRoute family takes a tiered approach. The standard EnRoute lens is designed for low-light clarity and comfort without adding a tint.

The EnRoute Pro version introduces a contrast filter that can be helpful in certain driving conditions, but because it reduces light transmission, it is better framed as a daytime or mixed-use solution. Being able to explain that distinction helps patients avoid choosing the Pro version for the wrong reason.

Shamir Driver Intelligence Moon lenses

Shamir Driver Intelligence Moon is a newer entry in the category of clear, optics-based lenses designed specifically for night driving. The lens is developed using data-driven optical modeling, including AI-based analysis during the design process. Development was in collaboration with the BWT Alpine F1 Team, which makes for an interesting talking point.

Premium AR lenses that aren’t specifically for driving

Some ODs prefer to stick with high-quality AR stacks rather than specialty driving designs. These aren’t night lenses per se, but they do aim to cut down on ghosting, halos, and distracting reflections that become more noticeable after dark.

A few that come up often:

ZEISS DuraVision Platinum
Essilor Crizal Sapphire HR
Hoya Hi-Vision LongLife AR
Nikon SeeCoat Bright

These could appeal to patients who want durability and all-day performance, with improved nighttime comfort as a secondary benefit rather than a primary feature.

Yellow or amber “night driving glasses” 

Yellow-tinted glasses are probably the most heavily marketed night driving products in the consumer space. A quick search on Reddit, for example, shows users overwhelmingly suggesting yellow-tinted lenses to each other, usually to combat the aforementioned glare from bright headlights in oncoming traffic. A few name brands beyond the multitude of generic online options: Rx-Safety Halo, Eagle Eyes, NoIR, Night Rider.

The key point to emphasize here is that these tints reduce overall light transmission. Most wearers don’t consciously register the loss of ambient light. What they do notice is softer headlights. Openly acknowledging this distinction/tradeoff in your patient conversations is a good idea.

Where yellow tints are most defensible:

• Well-lit urban driving
• Dusk or early evening conditions
• Patients whose primary complaint is discomfort rather than object detection

Where they are least appropriate:

• Rural or poorly lit roads
• Older patients with reduced contrast sensitivity

Clip-ons and fitovers

As with yellow-lens glasses, clip-ons and fitovers are widely available and inexpensive, but again, they aren’t the strongest overall performers for nighttime vision because of the tint. Brands patients might mention include Cocoons, Solar Shield, Fitover USA.

Zenni NeoContrast

We’re mentioning NeoContrast lenses separately because they appear nearly clear. They use a mild contrast-enhancing filter rather than a heavy tint, which is why they present differently than the saturated yellow we’ve come to expect. That said, even mild spectral filtering reduces overall light transmission to some degree, so it’s worth a conversation about the tradeoffs.

Recommended read: Optometry Times has insights on identifying nighttime visibility difficulty

Photochromic options, with important nuances

Photochromic lenses frequently come up in conversations about driving, but they are not designed to improve nighttime vision. Some newer options do activate behind the windshield, which can be helpful for daytime or dusk driving. Examples include Transitions XTRActive and Hoya Sensity Dark, both of which provide behind-the-windshield activation and deeper tinting in bright conditions. Transitions Drivewear is polarized and optimized specifically for daytime driving.

These lenses can be useful for commuters who drive in changing light, but they should not be positioned as solutions for nighttime glare or low-light visibility.

Non-optical factors

An important aside: Vehicle-related factors can also contribute to glare and reduced visibility. Might be worth mentioning to patients that cleaning the inside and outside of their windshield regularly can make a noticeable difference. Dim the interior/dash lights as much as possible. Fresh wiper blades can help, too.

The post Options To Explore for Patients Struggling With Night Driving appeared first on Optometry 411.

• Wear proper safety goggles (lensed polycarbonate protectors) for racquet sports or basketball. In order to be assured that your eyes are protected, it is important that any eye guard or sports protective eyewear are labeled as ASTM F803 approved. This eyewear is performance tested to give you the highest levels of protection.
• Use batting helmets with polycarbonate face shields for youth baseball.
• Use helmets and face shields approved by the U.S. Amateur Hockey Association when playing hockey.
• Know that regular glasses don’t provide enough protection.

At the site, you’ll find a host of other education tips you can share to keep patients and families in the know, including recommended eye protectors and tips for buying them, essential first aid for eye emergencies, and steps everyone in the community (particularly parents, teachers, school nurses, and coaches) can take to prevent sports eye injuries.

Charting the numbers: Sports-Related Eye Injuries by Age Group

Click the link above to see the full breakdown — the top five offenders in order are basketball, projectile or flying toys, soccer, swimming (activity, pools, equipment), and exercise and equipment.

Prevent Blindness also shared some of the injuries you might be looking at without proper protection, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

• Corneal abrasions, or scratches on the surface of the eye
• Bruises on eyelids or skin around the eye
• Retinal detachments, which can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly
• Traumatic cataracts
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage, or blood spots appearing on the eye
• Internal bleeding
• Fractures to the bone around the eye
• Damage to the optic nerve or glaucoma
• Open globe injuries, which can lead to permanent vision loss

“Fortunately, most eye injuries can be avoided by wearing the proper eye protection, including while playing sports,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO at Prevent Blindness. “By taking the proper precautions and consistently wearing sports protection recommended by an eye care professional, we can keep our vision and eyes healthy today and for some years to come.”

Browse Prevent Blindness Sports Eye Safety Month resources here.

The post A Helpful New Resource on Sports Eye Safety Just Dropped appeared first on Optometry 411.

Dr. Jeffrey Sonsino of Optique Franklin recently spoke to TheNewsFront about the risks of online eye tests. His warning stems from the case of patient Austin Gaydosh. For three years, whenever Gaydosh needed contact lens refills, he relied on app-based renewals instead of visiting an OD, and often slept in his lenses for up to a week at a time. The refill convenience came at a cost: Gaydosh developed a severe corneal ulcer that left him with lasting vision problems. Dr. Sonsino points to this case as one of the hazards of confusing a quick online test with a comprehensive eye exam.

AOA’s consumer health alert

The American Optometric Association (AOA) issued a consumer health alert about this very issue back in 2022, stressing that online vision tests are not eye exams. These services only measure visual acuity to renew prescriptions. They don’t check for glaucoma, retinal disease, corneal health, or systemic conditions with ocular signs. Patients who rely solely on such tools miss out on the early detection and prevention that ODs provide in the exam lane.

Brands and services to know

Even if you don’t endorse online eye exams, it’s worth knowing which companies patients encounter. Some of the most widely used include:

• Visibly (formerly Opternative) was cleared by the FDA in 2021 for online refractions, but still opposed by the AOA as insufficient for eye health.
• Lens.com offers budget-friendly prescription renewals for contacts with only a screen-based acuity check. Strictly refractive-only, no ocular health evaluation.
• 1-800 Contacts ExpressExam provides an online test reviewed by a remote doctor for prescription renewal. Marketed as quick and convenient.
• Warby Parker has an app-based renewal option (Virtual Vision Test) for existing glasses/contact prescriptions.
• Hubble Contacts allows customers to order lenses with minimal oversight. In 2022, parent company Vision Path paid $3.5M in penalties for prescription verification violations; FTC enforcement and consumer refunds continue.
• Simple Contacts offers app-based prescription renewal and contact lens ordering.
• EyeQue is a consumer facing vision screening device + app that lets patients self-test visual acuity and refractive error at home.

Note: These services typically require patients to already have a prescription, then use an online test reviewed by a remote doctor to renew. And state-level regulations impact the availability. To be fair, the companies listed above do share messaging about the limitations of the tests and the need for annual in-person exams, but it’s not front and center compared to the convenience messaging.

Why ODs can’t ignore them

Patients use these services for convenience. Everyone understands the value there. But the problem is, patients often don’t realize these are for acuity checks only, and not a substitute for comprehensive exams.

You should be there to provide better patient education, particularly when it comes to these three facts:

• Contact lenses are medical devices. Proper fit and corneal health still need to be checked annually.
• Online exams can’t spot silent disease. Glaucoma, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and even keratoconus can progress without noticeable symptoms.
• Convenience can come at a cost, Gaydosh’s case being just one example.

Talking points for patient education

A simple message works best: Online tests only measure how clearly you see letters on a screen. They can’t evaluate your eye health That’s why an annual exam is essential, to protect both your vision and your overall health.

You could offer an analogy: A quick vision check is similar to a blood pressure screening — not the same as a physical exam.

Calling back to the AOA consumer alert (PDF here), there are five important questions for consumers:

1. Can you find the FDA approval statement for the company and its test, and is the company operating within that authority?
2. Do you know the doctor of optometry or ophthalmologist who is prescribing your contact lenses?
3. Are you asked to sign any forms that seek to release the company from liability?
4. Can you ask the doctor who is prescribing the contact lenses any questions when you are using an online vision test?
5. What does a particular online vision test actually assess?

These can also help guide your patient education conversations. Overall, you want to empower patients to make informed choices without feeling judged for wanting convenience.

The post Patients Trust These Online Vision Tests. Know the Brands, Share the Risks appeared first on Optometry 411.

Dental visits are widely understood as essential. Most children see a dentist regularly, often starting as early as age one. In contrast, pediatric eye exams are often overlooked or mistaken for a quick screening at school or the pediatrician’s office. The profession has yet to consistently convey that comprehensive eye exams are a vital part of preventive health, just like dental checkups.

Changing that perception is possible, even at the practice level. Let’s take a closer look.

Acknowledging the barriers

As mentioned above, there are real, documented barriers that limit access to care.

The AJO study looked into over 2,000 U.S. children with known vision disorders and found that cost, difficulty securing appointments, and eligibility concerns were the top three reasons for not receiving needed care. These obstacles were more common in low-income and Black or Hispanic households. Even when vision problems were documented, many children still lacked follow-up exams or treatment.

Access issues like these, combined with low public awareness, create a perfect storm.

Dentistry has a public messaging advantage

Dentistry has spent decades embedding itself into public consciousness. Parents are flooded with reminders about dental checkups from pediatricians, schools, insurance providers, even toothbrush packaging. Dental care has been framed, consistently and effectively, as a non-negotiable part of a child’s preventive health plan.

Pediatric eye care remains under-promoted, under-discussed, and widely misunderstood. Vision issues often go unnoticed or are mistaken for learning or behavioral problems. And too many parents believe a basic screening at the pediatrician is enough.

While vision and dental insurance are both often separate from medical insurance, dental care has built a stronger culture of routine use. Many families understand and expect regular dental visits. The same can’t be said for eye care.

What you can do right now

Optometry may not control insurance design, but there are quite a few things you can do at your practice:

• Clearly differentiate comprehensive eye exams from basic screenings. Don’t assume families know their child needs a comprehensive exam at 6 months and again at age 3.
• Frame exams as essential — not optional! — for school readiness, sports, and developmental health. Use email, social media, and in-office messaging to show how early eye exams can detect issues that impact these areas.
• Provide resources and guidance for families navigating cost or insurance questions.
• Use the same tactics that dentistry uses. Promote a clear exam timeline. Send reminders. Partner with schools and pediatric offices … or how about with dentists? Offer take-home materials and always use accessible language.
  • Real-world example: This year, a local dentist sponsored the car pick-up lane signs at an elementary school. Signs are hung from a car’s rearview mirror, and the back side (facing the driver) shows the practice name and a QR code for the appointment page. This car sign is required when picking up your child, which means every single day of the school year, parents/caregivers are looking at the name of the dental practice.

Dentistry didn’t become essential in the minds of parents by accident. It happened through years of persistent, coordinated public education. There’s no reason optometry can’t do the same.

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a would you

What would help you most in making pediatric exams a routine expectation for families?

• Parent education materials
• Templates for school and community partnerships
• Sample scripts for talking to parents about early exams
• Social media content for pediatric eye care

Submit

The post What Dentistry Gets Right About Pediatric Care — And Optometry Doesn’t appeared first on Optometry 411.

If you’ve been following closely, there’s been quite a bit of debate and investigation around just how significant and prevalent the ocular risks of GLP-1RAs truly are.

The American Optometric Association’s June 2025 clinical report feels like a welcome consensus. It offers timely, evidence-based guidance to help you manage these evolving risks in clinical practice. Optometry 411 brings you a quick overview of the findings. Let’s dive in.

At a glance: AOA-flagged ocular risks

NAION (Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy)

• Identified as a very rare but serious risk associated with semaglutide, the most prescribed GLP-1RA (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)
• Up to 2× increased risk with semaglutide use 
• After conducting risk assessment, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) calls for updated product info to list NAION as a very rare side effect
• Signs: Sudden, painless unilateral vision loss, visual field defect, dyschromatopsia, and optic disc swelling
• Discontinue GLP‑1RA and refer immediately if NAION is suspected

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression

• In the SUSTAIN-6 trial, semaglutide users showed a higher rate of DR complications (3.0%) than placebo (1.8%)
• This may result from rapid HbA1c reduction, a known contributor to early DR worsening
• Especially concerning in patients with preexisting DR
• Perform a baseline dilated eye exam and follow up within 12–18 months of treatment initiation

Neovascular AMD

• A population-based study found GLP-1RA users had a 2× higher relative risk of developing wet AMD (0.2% vs 0.1%)
• Though absolute risk remains low, the potential impact is vision-threatening
• Closely monitor individuals with AMD risk factors or history

Other rare events

Isolated reports of:

• Uveitis
• Diplopia
• Optic neuropathies beyond NAION

These are not yet confirmed by large-scale trials but suggest the need for comprehensive baseline evaluations. Maintain a high index of suspicion and educate patients to report new symptoms.

AOA Clinical Guidance for ODs

With GLP-1RA use increasing (15 million users as of 2024) and ophthalmology workforce shortages projected by 2035, ODs are primed to lead ocular monitoring in this area. 

As Invision reports: “There is a low risk of [serious ocular side effects],” says co-author Andrew Morgenstern, OD, director of the AOA’s clinical resources group. “But a low risk of a big number is a big risk. If it happens to you, it’s a problem.”

Read the full AOA report here: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) and Ocular Health: Guidance for Optometric Practice

This content is intended for educational purposes only and does not substitute for clinical judgment. Treatment decisions should be based on individual patient needs, professional guidelines, and a comprehensive clinical evaluation.

The post AOA Releases New GLP-1RA Report: What ODs Need To Know About Vision Risks appeared first on Optometry 411.

Let’s take a look at the numbers behind the disconnect because you’ll want to be aware.

Key findings

• 75% of U.S. adults report daily disruptions in activities like reading, driving, and using screens due to poor eye health.
• Despite this, 54% of individuals postpone eye care because it doesn’t “feel urgent.”
• Among those who go 2+ years between eye exams, 53% blame cost barriers or lack of vision benefits.
• A significant 90% of respondents indicated that having eye doctor visits fully or partially covered by vision or health benefits is a top motivator for scheduling appointments.

Generational concerns

• Gen Z individuals average 7.2 hours of screen time daily, with 28% exceeding nine hours.
• Vision issues are prevalent among older adults, with 74% of Baby Boomers and 64% of Gen X reporting diagnosed vision problems.

Opportunities for improvement

• 83% want clear, step-by-step explanations of eye exams to encourage appointment scheduling.
• 67% report that vision benefit plans are confusing or poorly explained, making it hard to use them effectively.
• 75% are likely to seek advice about eye health from vision or healthcare carriers.
• Patient education is lacking:

The research findings also revealed significant knowledge gaps related to eyecare and vision benefits that undermine engagement, the announcement stated, with just 55 percent of consumers able to correctly define the difference between a comprehensive eye exam and a simple vision screening. Even fewer understand the full diagnostic capabilities of eye exams … However, the report notes that nearly 9 in 10 people (86 percent) say they are more likely to schedule an eye exam when they understand how comprehensive eye exams can provide early detection for serious medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. (Source: Versant Health’s Vision Wellness Study Examines “America’s Eye Health Challenge”)

This emphasizes what we’ve been hearing with increasing frequency: Vision care is integral to overall health. The current disconnect will have to be addressed.

For a more detailed exploration of the findings, you can access the very readable, 15-page report here: America’s Eye Health Wake-up Call.

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to the scheduling

What's the biggest barrier your patients report when it comes to scheduling regular eye exams?

• They don’t think it’s urgent unless symptoms appear.
• They’re concerned about cost or insurance coverage.
• They don’t understand the link between eye health and overall health.
• They find insurance/vision benefits confusing.
• They don’t prioritize eye care due to busy schedules.

Submit

Click to enlarge data story infographics.

The post New Data Shows Major Disconnect About US Adult Eye Exams appeared first on Optometry 411.

The original LUMIFY, introduced in 2018, gained popularity for its rapid and selective action on eye redness without many of the side effects seen with older formulations. 

“Consumers often say how amazed they are at the difference our original LUMIFY makes to their eyes, with over 50,000 five-star reviews as proof,” said John Ferris, president, Consumer, Bausch + Lomb. “LUMIFY Preservative Free brings that same fast-acting formula to those with sensitive eyes — delivering a visibly brighter, whiter look in just 60 seconds.”

ODs may find this product particularly useful for patients who experience irritation from preservatives but still seek redness relief.

“LUMIFY delivers consistently proven results for patients experiencing eye redness,” said Melissa Toyos, MD, and partner, Toyos Clinic, Nashville, TN. “With LUMIFY Preservative Free, my patients with eye sensitivities now have an option that’s just as effective as the original LUMIFY redness reliever eye drops.”

The new product is now available in single-use vials at major U.S. retailers including Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Amazon. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $26.99, and the packaging has been updated to reflect the brand’s premium image.

For more information on the LUMIFY brand visit www.lumifyeyes.com.

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