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.

This week, Optometry 411 explores presbyopia drops: What’s the latest? What’s in the pipeline? What do you need to know?

Who are the best candidates?

Presbyopia drops work best for:

• Early to moderate presbyopes (typically age 40–55)
• Emmetropic patients with good distance vision
• Highly motivated individuals seeking to reduce dependence on readers
• Post-LASIK patients 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.

And drops aren’t meant to replace existing solutions. They can complement progressive lenses, monovision or multifocal contact lenses, or surgical interventions. They can be a tool for workdays, social events, or travel. McGee urged ODs to educate patients that they can combine options based on their lifestyle needs.

Here’s an important point 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, which is often compromised in presbyopic patients
• Ideal for those who experienced discomfort with higher concentrations
• See Qlosi prescribing information

Another CIME 2025 attendee, Neda Shamie, MD, pointed out that many presbyopic patients also suffer from dry eye or ocular surface irritation, and that Qlosi’s dual-action design addresses both issues simultaneously.

In the pipeline:

The presbyopia treatment space is expanding rapidly. According to DelveInsight’s 2025 Presbyopia Pipeline Report, there are more than 10 active companies and 10+ therapies under development. Here’s a few notables:

• LNZ100 (aceclidine) by Lenz Therapeutics has a PDUFA date of August 2025 and may offer improved tolerability
• BRIMOCHOL PF, a fixed-dose combo of brimonidine and carbachol, has been submitted to the FDA and aims to extend duration while minimizing side effects
• Nyxol (phentolamine 0.75%) uses a novel mechanism — alpha blockers — to modulate pupil size and is currently in Phase III trials
• Microdosed delivery systems (like Eyenovia’s MicroLine) and lens-softening agents (like LX-OPH-162) are also in development

A note on barriers:

Many of these newer therapies still lack long-term efficacy data. Drop-based regimens have presented challenges in patient compliance in the past, as we know from glaucoma treatment studies. Cost will likely be a concern for patients; right now, Vuity and Qlosi are considered elective, lifestyle-enhancing treatments and are not covered. 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 to slow widespread use).

You’ll want to weigh all this and offer pharmacologic presbyopia options to the right patients, thoughtfully and selectively. You might start with a simple in-office trial protocol, measuring near and distance acuity before and after a single drop.

To help refine your internal guidelines for who responds well and who doesn’t, consider scheduling a follow-up in 1–2 weeks to reassess efficacy, ask about side effects, and discuss lifestyle fit and ongoing usage (or else other options).

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: From Vuity and Qlosi to What’s Next appeared first on Optometry 411.

Today, Optometry 411 shares what you need to know about adding AI intake forms to your optometry practice, plus a glimpse at what AI-powered triage will look like from a practical standpoint.

What is AI triage and how will it work?

• It starts with a pre-visit questionnaire. Patients will complete digital intake forms that use adaptive AI, which is smarter than a static form and adjusts follow-up questions based on the symptoms patients report. This type of intelligent form will also flag inconsistencies (like selecting both “no vision problems” and “blurred vision”) and prompt a patient to clarify.
• Patients are then flagged into categories like low-risk, moderate-risk, or urgent.
• Some current AI triage pilots take it a step further, incorporating instant analysis of OCTs, fundus photos, or corneal topography to spot signs of disease before an OD even reviews the scans.
• Ultimately, you can expect AI to integrate new information with a patient’s existing diagnostic data (previous IOP readings or OCT scans, etc.).

All in all, it’s shaping up to be a valuable first step to help you manage scheduling and referrals for better patient care. And getting better clinical data up front should give you more space during the exam to focus on diagnostics and personalized attention.

Speaking of diagnostics and personal attention: Here’s a very good point from Dr. Angela Shahbazian, OD, about AI in practice: “AI can increase access so everybody can get a diagnosis, but the care still requires human interaction and empathy and understanding … what people find valuable is when they feel like they’re actually being taken care of. A diagnosis is where care begins. If you get a diagnosis and that’s the end of it, you’re not being taken care of, you’re just being told something.”

I recommend the full article, AI in Practice, published by Berkeley’s Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science. It’s one of the better summaries of AI integration in optometry, with great perspective.

Real-world options to explore

If you’re interested in adding AI-powered intake forms to you practice, we’ve rounded up some companies (in alphabetical order) that offer this kind of technology. It’s a good place to begin your research.

Barti Software
Barti’s platform allows a practice to create adaptive intake forms that evolve based on patient responses. Besides gathering basic information, the system can integrate with AI transcription tools and reduce the need for manual data entry.

Formisoft
Similarly, Formisoft develops tools for clinics to create AI-powered forms that can automatically adjust to a patient’s needs. This includes pulling in relevant follow-up questions based on health history or appointment type.

Jotform
Jotform has introduced AI Agents that leave traditional forms into conversational experiences. These agents can guide users through the form-filling process, making it more interactive. The forms themselves can be customized based on user prompts.

mConsent
Digital intake forms that can be used by optometry practices to streamline paperwork. Their forms include features like conditional logic — where questions change based on patient answers — making the process faster and more personal.

Phreesia
Here’s another platform that supports logic-driven interviews that adapt to each individual patient and are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing EHR systems.

Puppeteer
They also offer an AI assistant designed to guide patients through intake forms using a conversational format. The system adjusts questions based on previous answers, helping clinics collect more relevant information before appointments.

And when you’re ready to take the next step, here’s a list of important questions you’ll want to ask vendors before deciding on/implementing anything new. Note: Click the image for a printable PDF version.

The post What Are Adaptive AI Intake Forms and What Do You Need To Know Before Implementing? appeared first on Optometry 411.

But travel requires planning, so let’s take an early look at what 2025 has in store for us, conference- and trade show-wise. Here are the in-person optometry conferences and events on our radar so far. 

JANUARY 2025

Island Eyes Conference 2025
Dates: January 12 – 18, 2025
Location: Maui, Hawaii

Hosted by Pacific University, this conference offers up to 30 COPE-accredited hours of continuing education, featuring renowned educators and a half-day schedule to allow attendees to enjoy Maui’s attractions.

The Vision Council 2025 Executive Summit
Dates: January 22 – 24, 2025
Location: Santa Barbara, California

A posh event that brings together industry leaders for several days of high-level networking and leadership development. Designed to shed light on the evolving landscape of the vision industry, this one features a robust schedule of interactive panels, expert presentations, and keynote addresses.

Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) 2025
Dates: January 22 – 25, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

GSLS focuses on the latest innovations in specialty contact lenses, including scleral lenses, ortho-K, and myopia management. Attendees can benefit from workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with global experts.

Eyeball Palm Springs 2025
Date: January 25, 2025
Location: Palm Springs, California

Here’s a chic, curated event combining eyewear fashion, creativity, and continuing education. Brett Cates, co-creator, is “deeply passionate about independent eyewear and the rejection of corporate influence in both art and eyewear.”

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2025

MIDO Eyewear Show 2025
Dates: February 8 – 10, 2025
Location: Milan, Italy

MIDO is one of the world’s largest international eyewear trade shows, featuring over 1,200 exhibitors and attendees from more than 160 countries. You can expect to see the latest eyewear collections, technological innovations, and industry trends.

EnVision Summit 2025
Dates: February 14 – 17, 2025
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico

This summit is intentionally family-friendly and offers continuing education in ophthalmology and optometry, featuring clinical discussions, mentoring, and research collaborations.

Vision Expo East 2025
Dates: February 19 – 22, 2025
Location: Orlando, Florida

Where eyewear, education, fashion, and innovation mingle. Join eyecare professionals, buyers, influencers, and technology leaders in Orlando (the conference moved from NY to FL this year!). Tip: Also consider the 2025 VM Leadership Summit happening in Orlando on 2/19.

SECO 2025
Dates: February 26 – March 2, 2025
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

SECO 2025 is a premier event for optometry professionals, offering cutting-edge education, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities with industry leaders from around the world.

MARCH 2025

The Frame Affair 2025
Dates: March 13 – 15, 2025
Location: New York City, New York

Curated as “a luxury art gallery,” this eyewear show creates a space where independent designers and visionary artisans converge to showcase the finest in eyewear craftsmanship. Think immersive brand storytelling, upscale cuisine and drinks, and a luxury fashion show.

EYECON 2025
Dates: March 14 – 16, 2025
Location: New York City, New York

EYECON is another luxury eyewear show in NYC this week. Exclusive product launches, trend insights, creative exhibitions, and engaging panel discussions will explore innovations shaping the eyewear industry.

JUNE 2025

International Congress of Scleral Contacts (ICSC) 2025
Dates: June 20 – 21, 2025
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

ICSC 2025 offers interactive panels, hands-on workshops, and educational tracks tailored for both experienced and new scleral lens practitioners. Global experts share insights on emerging trends, challenges, and advanced clinical practices related to scleral lenses.

Optometry’s Meeting® 2025 & 5th World Congress of Optometry
Dates: June 25 – 28, 2025
Location: Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The 128th Annual AOA Congress and 57th Annual AOSA Conference will host the 5th World Congress of Optometry, focusing on advancing universal access to high-quality eye health and vision care. Find all manner of CE, collaboration and strategic partnership opportunities, plus practice solutions, business services, and resources.

SEPTEMBER 2025

AOA on Capitol Hill 2025
Dates: September 28 – 30, 2025
Location: Washington, D.C.

The American Optometric Association’s annual advocacy event, where optometrists and students meet with lawmakers to discuss critical issues affecting optometry and eye care. This event includes advocacy training, legislative briefings, and opportunities to make a direct impact on policy. Note the new September date.

OCTOBER 2025

Academy 2025 Boston
Dates: October 8 – 11, 2025
Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Hosted by the American Academy of Optometry, this major annual conference brings together optometrists, vision scientists, and students for comprehensive continuing education and the latest research in optometry.

Note: The Optometric Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting coincides with Academy 2025, taking place on October 7.

Vision By Design 2025
Dates: October 22 – 25, 2025
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida

Hosted by the American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (AAOMC), this conference focuses on orthokeratology, myopia control, and specialty contact lenses. You can engage in lectures, workshops, and networking opportunities designed for both experienced practitioners and those new to the field.

NOVEMBER 2025

MOD Live 2025
Dates: November 7 – 9, 2025
Location: Austin, Texas

Presented by Modern Optometry, this event focuses on the evolving field of medical eye care, offering insights and education for optometrists adapting to new clinical practices.

The post The Optometry Conferences We’re Eyeing in 2025 appeared first on Optometry 411.

So says Dr. Lyndon Jones, director of the Centre for Ocular Research & Education. In efforts to address this issue, CORE has launched SustainableEyecare.com. The first-of-its-kind website is designed to educate eye care professionals (and patients) about the environmental impact of contact lenses and eyewear, as well as about practical solutions for recycling and responsible disposal.

The site includes:

• Easy-to-understand information about the environmental challenges linked to contact lens, frames, and spectacle lens disposal.
• Clear instructions for how to properly dispose of lenses to minimize environmental effects.
• A directory of known recycling programs around the world, as well as a listing of green initiatives from major eye care manufacturers and industry bodies.
• Customizable resources and downloadable infographics that eye care professionals can share on social media or use to educate patients.
• Tips on how to build sustainability into your clinical practice operations.
• A compendium of relevant peer-reviewed and professional publications.

I encourage you to visit the link and poke around; see what it offers on both the eye care practitioner and patient side.

“This Earth Day, we’re encouraging everyone in eye care to take another step toward protecting our planet. Society has benefited immeasurably from contact lenses and glasses, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be mindful of their disposal. Whether you’re a patient wanting to reduce your plastic footprint or an eye care professional looking to implement greener practices, SustainableEyecare.com provides tools and knowledge to help make a difference,” noted Dr. Jones.

CORE plans to update the site with additional resources from across the eye care spectrum, and encourages organizations to submit their own initiatives for possible inclusion over the coming weeks and months.

A note on sustainability in eye care

Contact lenses are not the biggest environmental offender in the eye care industry, though they’re the most visible and frequently discussed example due to media attention and public interest.

An estimated 2.6 – 2.7 billion contact lenses are discarded annually in the U.S. alone. Many end up in landfills or waterways, especially when improperly flushed down the drain. The environmental concern here is largely tied to microplastic pollution and the fact that lenses are not biodegradable.

A broader and more substantial environmental footprint comes from the manufacturing, packaging, transportation, and disposal of eye care products overall, including frames, lenses, and clinical operations:

• Frame manufacturing (involving petroleum-based plastics, metals, dyes, and water use)
• Prescription lens production (involves coatings, polishing, waste runoff)
• Packaging materials (boxes, blister packs, inserts, shipping padding)
• Single-use items and disposables in clinical settings
• Energy consumption in optical labs and eye care clinics

Further recommended read: Optometric Waste Management Decisions Can Have an Environmental Impact

For the environmentally conscious OD, it would be good to take a look at these areas and at least assess where you’re at. From there, addressing sustainability head-on becomes something you can also use to attract patients and strengthen your reputation.

The post Sustainable Eyecare Starts Here: A New Resource for Environmentally Minded ODs Just Dropped appeared first on Optometry 411.

The International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy (ICDR) Severity Scale was created to refine DR classification in efforts to improve diagnosis and management:

• Mild NPDR: Microaneurysms only → Annual monitoring.
• Moderate NPDR: Intraretinal hemorrhages present → 9- to 12-month follow-up.
• Severe NPDR: Based on the 4-2-1 rule (four quadrants of hemorrhaging, two quadrants of venous beading, one quadrant of IRMA) → Referral to retina specialist recommended.
• PDR: Presence of neovascularization → Urgent referral for anti-VEGF therapy and/or panretinal photocoagulation (PRP).
• DME: Referral recommended for center-involved (CI-DME) cases, particularly those affecting best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

During “Current Strategies on Managing Diabetic Eye Disease,” a session at the recent Vision Expo East, Mary Beth Yackey, OD, and Jessica Haynes, OD, presented strategies for managing DR in your practice — tackling patient education, risk assessment, and treatment coordination for your diabetic patients. We’ll touch on a few of the guidelines shared:

• Type 1 Diabetes: The American Diabetes Association and AOA guidelines recommend a baseline eye exam within five years of diagnosis and annual follow-ups thereafter.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Since undiagnosed diabetes is common, patients should have a comprehensive eye exam at diagnosis, with follow-up intervals based on DR severity.
• For moderate-to-severe NPDR, consider additional OCT, OCT-A, or electroretinography (ERG) to assess progression risk. In cases of rapid disease progression, poor glycemic control, or noncompliance, earlier referral may be warranted.

Recommended resource: Diabetic Eye Disease: A Comprehensive Look at the Optometrist’s Role

The doctors also spoke to new therapeutic treatments that are enhancing DR and diabetic macular edema (DME) management:

• Anti-VEGF injections act as first-line therapy for CI-DME and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR); newer agents like faricimab and high-dose aflibercept offer longer durability.
• Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) remains the gold standard for high-risk PDR to reduce neovascularization.
• Intravitreal corticosteroid implants may benefit pseudophakic patients or those unresponsive to anti-VEGF treatment.
• Emerging therapies: Fenofibrate (lipid-lowering agent) has shown promise in slowing DR progression, while nutritional supplementation targeting oxidative stress is an evolving area of research.

Patient education points to make

Consider the following information, as outlined in the VEE presentation, when discussing things with your patients:

After 15 years of disease duration, 80% of patients with type 1 DM will have some degree of retinopathy.

Elevated blood glucose levels and HbA1c values (less than or equal to 7%), as well as less glucose time in range assessed by continuous glucose monitoring devices, are also associated with higher rates of retinopathy.

Control of blood pressure, lipids, and management of comorbidities, such as sleep apnea, all reduce risk of progression.

Pregnancy in diabetics places increase risk of progression to severe retinopathy; however this is not the case in those with gestational diabetes.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor analogs are a newer, highly effective category of medication for diabetes management including semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy, both Novo Nordisk), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Eli Lilly).

Although improved glycemic control is encouraged for promotion of long-term positive outcomes, a transient worsening of retinopathy may be seen initially. (Likely related to VEGF expression, reactive oxygen species production and breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier.)

Source: “Current Strategies on Managing Diabetic Eye Disease,” presented by Mary Beth Yackey, OD, Jessica Haynes, OD, at Vision Expo East; Feb 19-22, 2025; Orlando.

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 Managing Diabetic Eye Disease: Strategy and Patient Education appeared first on Optometry 411.

The post The Best Optometry YouTube Channels for ODs appeared first on Optometry 411.

Research is also providing a clearer understanding of how menopause affects eye health. Sex hormone receptors have been found in various parts of the eye, and while the exact functions of estrogen and androgen receptors in these areas are still being studied, evidence suggests that sex hormones play a role in maintaining equilibrium in the eye — so hormonal changes in menopause are bound to have an impact.

It’s a bit tricky because aging in general causes eyesight to deteriorate. Is a patient’s condition due to menopause or simply natural ocular aging? Staying up to date on the potential effects of menopause is the first step in providing better care to patients in this transitional time.

A proactive approach, with regular eye exams and open communication about symptoms is the best way to go. Here’s a quick rundown of the latest findings and practical protocols for managing menopause-related eye changes.

Tackling Dry Eyes

The hormonal changes during menopause, especially the drop in estrogen, are major drivers of dry eye syndrome, one of the most common eye problems during this time. Recent studies show that menopausal women often struggle with visual discomforts, from eye strain and photophobia to a gritty sensation or unnatural awareness of their eyeballs.

There isn’t one product or strategy that works for everyone, but given the impact on daily life, finding a way to treat DED in your menopausal patients should be a priority.

• Regular use of quality artificial tears can temporarily relieve dryness.
• Prescription eye drops can reduce inflammation and increase tear production.
• Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) may help.
• Small lifestyle changes, like using humidifiers at home and cutting back on screen time, can go a long way in reducing symptoms.
• Omega-3 supplements can potentially help, although current research actually presents mixed results:
  • The Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) study, a large-scale, multicenter, double-masked randomized controlled trial, evaluated omega-3 fatty acid supplements for DES. The study found no significant difference in symptom improvement between participants taking omega-3 supplements and those receiving a placebo.
  • But a more recent systematic review and meta-analysis in 2023 analyzed data from randomized clinical trials over the past decade. The analysis concluded that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation does effectively reduce DED symptoms, especially when administered in high doses, over a long duration, and with increased levels of eicosapentaenoic acid.

Navigating Corneal Changes

Menopause isn’t all hot flashes and mood swings — it can subtly reshape the cornea. Changes in eye shape can affect focus, cause eyes to tire more easily, and make contact lenses uncomfortable. Patients might notice their usual lenses feeling off or their vision slightly blurred. Here’s research that suggests a link between menopause and a steepened curvature of the cornea.

• If patients experience discomfort with their current contacts, consider refitting them with a different brand or lenses designed for altered corneal shapes.
• Regular eye exams are key to monitoring corneal changes in order to make appropriate adjustments to any vision correction methods.

Monitoring for Glaucoma

Menopause might also be a factor for increased glaucoma risk. New research suggests that women who enter menopause earlier may have a higher chance of developing open-angle glaucoma due to reduced estrogen levels. In fact, this 2023 research article suggests that late menarche (13+y), early menopause (prior to 45y), and delivering 5 or more children are all possible risk factors for OAG.

• Keeping an eye on intraocular pressure and performing optic nerve assessments can help catch changes early.
• Some evidence indicates that HRT might help stabilize IOP, though it’s something to discuss on a case-by-case basis with patients because the relationship between HRT and IOP is complex, and individual responses can vary. (HRT carries a risk of cardiovascular issues, breast cancer, blood clots, and gallbladder disease.)

Cataract Awareness

Hormone fluctuations can trigger or accelerate cataract formation in mid-life. It’s important to note that we aren’t entirely clear on the relationship between estrogen and lens health, only that they are linked. For example, HRT has been shown to increase the risk of cataract surgery in women, but hormonal contraception may be associated with a lower prevalence of cataracts (source).

• Not to be repetitive, but again, scheduling regular exams for menopausal and postmenopausal patients helps catch early signs of cataracts.
• For those with impaired vision, cataract surgery remains an effective solution when symptoms start to interfere with daily life.

Protecting Retinal Health

The retina also takes a hit during menopause, with lower estrogen levels possibly raising the risk for conditions like age-related macular degeneration. Menopausal women, especially those with lifestyle risk factors, can benefit from proactive steps.

• Encourage patients to quit smoking and eat a diet high in leafy greens and omega-rich fish, which have been shown to support retinal health.
• Vitamins C, E, zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin are also recommended to keep the retina healthy:
  • The Age-Related Eye Disease Study and its follow-up, AREDS2, conducted by the National Eye Institute, have provided substantial evidence supporting the use of specific vitamins and minerals in reducing the progression of AMD.

As with most things, managing menopause-related eye issues benefits from a holistic approach. Healthy eating will support more than just the retina. Addressing DED can help with contact lense comfort. Coordinating with other health professionals will help you stay abreast of things like hormone levels and treatments that might influence a patient’s eye health.

And don’t underestimate the power of informing your patients about how menopause can affect their eyes. Hot flashes, mood swings, and brain fog are essentially common knowledge these days, but many people have no idea that menopause can impact eye health. Empowering your patients to take proactive steps makes a big difference.

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 The Menopause Effect: Latest Insights for ODs appeared first on Optometry 411.

Knowing what patients (and prospective patients) are worried about can only help you improve quality of care, guide marketing strategy, and inform your CE decisions, allowing you to shore up your knowledge base in relevant areas.

The post What Are Top Patient Concerns Regarding Eye Health Right Now? appeared first on Optometry 411.

The expansion underscores ECR’s dedication to providing networking opportunities, professional growth, and access to state-of-the-art resources for its members. 

“We hope that ODs will begin to see their accounting effort as a source of business growth opportunities,” said Michael Pote, Partner, at Ratio Accounting, Inc. “Tax management is a given. Business growth requires deep knowledge of the optometric practice and that is what we are bringing to the equation.”  

ECR will be announcing additional partnerships soon.

In today’s fast-paced world, where technology, patient needs, and business practices are constantly evolving, Eyecare Republic supports independent optometrists in staying ahead of the curve. By providing access to vital business resources, ongoing education, and a strong network of peers, ECR makes it easier for members to adapt and continue delivering exceptional care. 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 the New Partner 

Ratio Accounting — U.S. headquarters in San Francisco, CA 

Ratio Accounting specializes in providing tailored financial solutions to optometry practices. With a focus on translating financial data into actionable insights, Ratio Accounting helps members with cash flow forecasting, financial reporting, and tax preparation. Their technology-driven approach, using real-time data access through QuickBooks Online, ensures that ECR members receive up-to-date information for sound business decisions. Ratio Accounting’s consultancy services guide practices through strategic planning, helping them maximize growth and profitability. 

For more information, visit www.ratioaccounting.com. 

The post Eyecare Republic Expands Its Reach: New Partnership Powers Up Optometry Support  appeared first on Optometry 411.

Here’s a handy primer on a variety of colored lenses you might suggest, depending on the health conditions and needs of a patient.

A scattershot of notes before we dive in:

• The effects of tinted lenses are a perpetual subject of study. Sample sizes can vary dramatically, so study findings must be evaluated accordingly.
• The idea that tinted lenses can treat visual processing disorders like Irlen syndrome or reading issues like dyslexia is somewhat controversial and not currently supported by scientific evidence. (Read more: Update on Irlen Lenses)
• The ultimate effect of any lens tint will be patient specific. Relatedly, the tint type and darkness should be tailored to individual patient needs and personal preferences.

Rose/Pink Lenses

A rose-colored lens — FL-41 tint, specifically — enhances contrast, reduces glare, and can soothe eye strain and light sensitivity by blocking out a wide range of blue and green light. These can be worn indoors or outdoors, although indoor wear seems to be more effective.

Recommended for:

• Migraines
• Photophobia (including for patients with DED)
• Post-concussion recovery
• Blepharospasm
• TBI or concussion symptoms
• Visual snow syndrome
• Reducing visual noise for people with sensory processing disorders

Read more:
Dry Eye and Photophobia: The Outlook May Be Rosy

Yellow/Orange Lenses

Yellow lenses improve contrast sensitivity and depth perception, making them ideal in foggy, low-light, or overcast conditions. These have long been favored for both indoor and outdoor sports due to the enhancement of rapid reactions and contrast perception. Studies have also shown that yellow helps people stay focused when completing challenging tasks.

Recommended for:

• AMD, as yellow tint enhances contrast
• Glaucoma, as it helps reduce glare and eye strain
• People with bipolar disorder, as it has been found to minimize blue-light-triggered manic fluctuations
• People working at a screen all day (as an alternative to typical blue-light blockers)
• Activities like hunting that require improved visual acuity
• Indoor sports like basketball and racquetball
• Gamers

Note: The use of yellow/amber lenses for night driving, once posited as beneficial against the glare of modern headlights, is not backed by data:

In reality, when driving at night or dusk in already limited lighting conditions, ANY tint further reduces the amount of light transmitted to the eye and further impairs vision. The problem is compounded as the yellow tint gives the wearer the impression they are seeing better, when in fact the reverse is true. (Source: The Dangers of Yellow Night Driving Glasses)

For current info on night driving, check out: Overnight Glasses Addresses Nighttime Driving Difficulties With Tips for Improving Night Vision.

Gray Lenses

We can’t skip gray, but you already know the deal: A gray tint preserves true color perception, reducing overall brightness without altering colors. It works well outdoors on cloudy or sunny days and reduces glare, especially on the water. There’s a reason this is the most popular sunglass lens tint.

Recommended for:

• General light sensitivity
• Those working or playing in bright outdoor environments

Green Lenses

Green tint reduces glare, enhances contrast in shadowy areas, and can reduce stress on the eyes. Studies have shown green to be calming and relaxing and to have positive effects on creativity. Green light therapy has gained traction as a way to decrease the intensity and duration of migraines, and this is also reflected in lens technology (i.e., Avulux lenses).

Recommended for:

• Migraine sufferers triggered by light
• Outdoor sports regardless of light conditions
• Golf, baseball, and tennis in particular
• Fibromyalgia

Read more: Green Eyeglasses Reduce Pain-Related Anxiety in Fibromyalgia Patients, Study Shows

One OD has had success with gray-green tinted contact lenses for concussions or migraines, noting:

This is a great opportunity for dual prescribing in a primary eye care practice. For a patient who struggles with chronic migraine — and I guarantee that every practice has patients like this — you can offer a regular lens and a performance-tinted lens, so the patient can start wearing the tinted ones as soon as he or she feels a migraine beginning.

I recommend adding questions about migraine and light sensitivity to your patient history questionnaire. When appropriate, you can prescribe the performance-tinted lenses. This becomes a nice niche for the practice that builds revenue and word-of-mouth referrals — and it also solves a major problem for your patients. (Source: Performance-Tinted Contact Lenses Can Help Control Light Sensitivity)

Purple/Blue Lenses

These are good for enhancing contours while reducing reflective glare, and they work well in foggy or misty weather. Take what we know about blue light — that subjects are better able to concentrate at night when exposed to blue light, compared to white or red light — and consider recommending blue tints, which have been shown to have an activating effect on concentration.

Recommended for:

• Photosensitive epilepsy
• Golfers and tennis players needing sharper contrast on greens
• Snowy day sports and activities

One OD speaks to successful experimentation with therapeutic blue tints for Parkinson’s and autism: Some Lens Tints Have Been Shown to Help Sufferers of Certain Health Disorders

Read more: Opticians Who Use Tinted Lenses for People With Autism

Brown/Amber Lenses

These lenses increase depth perception and block blue light. Brown lenses heighten contrast against green landscapes and blue skies, making it a good sunglass lens tint.

Recommended for:

• People working outdoors (e.g., construction)
• Skiers, pilots, and drivers for better clarity in high-glare environments
• Golf and baseball (for seeing details at a distance)

What’s the big takeaway here? With the exception of migraine study results, the benefits of tinted lenses are fairly hard to pin down with data. But that doesn’t mean there’s no benefits. I like this summation:

Some companies are producing sporting glasses intended to improve an athlete’s abilities by filtering out certain wavelengths of light specific to their sport. For example, a mountain biker might use glasses which allow in more reds and yellows, enhancing their ability to see tree roots and loose soil. It is based on “optic science” and is all about balancing the colors of your environment to your advantage. Some believe that an application of this science can help people suffering from learning problems, dyslexia, ADD, autism, and migraines, among other problems. The idea is to use color-based technology to filter out offensive light waves so that the brain can process visual information more efficiently. This concept is somewhat controversial in that studies have produced varying results, and it seems that one filter color is not best for all people with the same diagnosis. This should not be considered a cure but could be a non-invasive way to offer help to some. (Source: Rose-Colored Glasses)

Additional resources and studies: 

An Index of BPI Therapeutic Lenses and Tints

Recommending the Right Tinted Lenses for Low Vision Patients

Therapeutic Effects of Tinting a Lens (Contact or Spectacle)

Impact of Tinted Lenses on Contrast Sensitivity, Color Vision, and Visual Reaction Time in Young Adults

A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials on Visual Stress Using Intuitive Overlays or the Intuitive Colorimeter

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 Color-Tinted Lenses for a Wide Range of Health Issues: Current Info and Resources appeared first on Optometry 411.