OMDI as an Alternative to Prostaglandin Analogues in Low or Nonresponders

Joseph F. Panarelli, MD; and Neda Shamie, MD

Eyetube

Joseph F. Panarelli, MD, sits down with Neda Shamie, MD, to discuss a phase 3, nonrandomized, two-phase, open-label, multicenter study that evaluated the IOP-lowering efficacy and safety of omidenepag isopropyl (OMDI) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who did not respond or responded poorly to latanoprost. What were the results? To access the full review, please visit the link here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37853676/

Don’t “Lump” All Lid Lesions Together

Be thorough in creating your differential diagnosis.

Jacob Lang, OD, FAAO

Modern Optometry

The term chalazion is of Greek origin, meaning hailstone, small lump, or pimple.1 In eye care, a chalazion (Figure) is a chronic cyst of lipogranulomatous material possibly caused by the obstruction of a sebaceous gland of the eyelid (ie, meibomian gland or gland of Zeis).1 Risk factors of chalazia include blepharitis, dry eye disease, eyelid dermatitis, rosacea, and conjunctivitis.1 Figure. Chalazion of the upper lid in a patient with concomitant rosacea. For such a common ocular pathology, it’s surprising we still don’t completely understand the pathophysiology of chalazia. Does a bacterial component alter the lipid composition of meibomian secretions and trigger an inflammatory response? What activates the lipogranulomatous inflammation that causes chalazia? As more attention is focused on the ocular surface and meibomian glands, researchers may find answers to these and other questions about lid lumps. A VARIETY OF LUMPS Not all lid lumps are chalazia. Clinicians must also be on the watch for neoplasms, such as sebaceous, basal, or squamous cell carcinoma, which should be included in the differential diagnosis of chalazia, especially when lesions are recurrent in the same location or have atypical features.1 Infectious etiologies, including herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, molluscum contagiosum, leishmaniasis, sarcoidosis, and tuberculosis, can also mimic chalazia.1 Of note, eye care clinicians observed an increased incidence of chalazia during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some hypothesized that this uptick could be related to mask wear. Silkiss et al reported on this observation, alluding to a multifactorial nature of chalazion development.2 The proposed factors include exacerbation of dry eye disease, meibomian oil hardening, poor lid hygiene, and airflow direction changes leading to oral microbiota contacting the eyelids.2 MANAGEMENT There is little statistically significant evidence supporting the effectiveness of many common treatments for chalazia, especially comparative efficacy, at this time.1 Possible chalazion treatment options include hot compresses and other thermal treatments (eg, Systane iLux MGD Treatment System [Alcon], TearCare System [Sight Sciences], TearScience LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System [Johnson & Johnson Vision]), topical antibiotics and/or steroids, oral antibiotics and/or steroids, probiotics, intralesional injection of corticosteroids or 5-fluorouracil, incision and curettage, tea tree oil wipes, and light therapy (ie, intense pulsed light or low-level light therapy).

Why You Should Hire an Associate OD

Welcoming another eye care practitioner to your practice can accelerate practice growth and expand your range of services offered.

Christopher Lopez, OD

Modern Optometry

Running a successful optometry practice is not just about providing top-notch eye care—it’s also about effectively managing the business aspects of your practice. One crucial decision that can have a significant influence on the financial health of an optometry practice is hiring an associate optometrist. Although this may seem like an added expense, at least initially, hiring the right associate can lead to a substantial increase in practice revenue (see How Much Additional Revenue Can I Expect?). This article explores how bringing on an associate OD can benefit your practice’s top—and bottom—lines. How Much Additional Revenue Can I Expect? In my experience, the range of revenue production from an associate optometrist varies drastically. Some generate $600K annually, while others generate upward of $1.5M annually. Practice setting can hinder overall production, to an extent. For example, some ODs in an OD/MD setting only generate $450K annually, but if a large portion of their workload is managing postoperative care, that may be a reasonable amount. We have other colleagues who work in sublease locations, in which optical sales do not count toward their production, so their revenue generation is based entirely on professional services and nonoptical sales.