The Benefits of a “Boring” Day

Paul Walton, MD; Blake Williamson, MD, MPH; and Gary Wörtz, MD

Eyetube

Paul Walton, MD, joins Blake Williamson, MD, MPH, and Gary Wörtz, MD, to share concepts to help cataract and refractive surgeons avoid horror stories in the OR. He says the goal should always be to have a “boring” day, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding with patients. The surgeons also detail their approaches to anesthesia and how to best comfort patients before, during, or after surgery.

Behold, the Power to Reverse Mydriasis Is Here!

The wait is finally over.

Modern Optometry

HOT TOPIC Mydriasis Reversal Drop Now Available in US Viatris has announced the US commercial launch of phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75% (Ryzumvi) to treat pharmacologically induced mydriasis produced by adrenergic agonists (eg, phenylephrine) or parasympatholytic (eg, tropicamide) agents. Initially FDA-approved in September, Ryzumvi was evaluated across two random, vehicle-controlled, double-masked MIRA-2 and MIRA-3 clinical trials. The drug’s onset of action was found to occur in roughly 30 minutes. Ninety minutes after administration, 49% and 58% of patients who were administered two drops of Ryzumvi returned to < 0.2 mm of baseline pupil diameter compared with 7% and 6% who were administered a placebo, respectively. My Two Cents It will be wonderful to tell patients that we do in fact have “that drop that reverses dilation.” After being routinely asked for this drop for the past 11 years of clinical practice, I’ll finally have an answer that patients will appreciate. I do, however, have a few questions about the product. First off—and it’s probably a dumb question, as I usually seem to have, but—I noticed the indication for the drop is “for the treatment of pharmacologically induced mydriasis produced by adrenergic agonists or parasympatholytic agents.” What about hydroxyamphetamine hydrobromide and tropicamide (Paremyd, Akorn) drops or compounded combination drops (such as the ones we get from Imprimis) that have phenylephrine and tropicamide? Would this drop be considered “off label” to reverse patients dilated with combination drops? Also, what’s the price point? Do practices bear this cost, or do we charge patients for the dilation reversal?

Technology in Collaborative Care: Friend or Foe?

Leveraging advances in optometry will help deliver more optimal, efficient patient care.

Selina R. McGee, OD, FAAO

Modern Optometry

Prior to 1900, human knowledge was said to double every century.1 After World War II, human knowledge doubled every 25 years.2 Today, it is estimated that human knowledge doubles every 12 hours.3 If you feel like you can’t keep up—that there just aren’t enough hours in the day—you’re not alone, you can’t. No one can. The way we practice, learn, educate, and adapt to change must continue to evolve. THE EVOLUTION OF EYE CARE The population of patients in need of our medical expertise in eye care is growing, both in the clinic as well as in the surgical suite. Optometry performs about 88 million comprehensive eye exams per year,4 and that number is projected to increase by about 13 million by 2025. More than 4 million cataract surgeries are performed in the United States each year. By 2030, the estimated number of cataract surgeries is expected to reach 6 million,5 almost doubling surgical demand and requiring increased efficiency. Add to this the fact that an increasing number of patients will need intravitreal injections due to age-related macular degeneration or diabetes. Glaucoma is also on the rise with an aging population. Optometry has an opportunity, not to mention an obligation, to practice to our fullest scope and absorb the increase in patient demand to give patients access to quality care in a more timely manner.