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In this engaging and informative discussion, join us as we delve into the world of optometry news with three leading eye care experts. Drs. Jennifer Lyerly, Jaclyn Garlich, and Darryl Glover share their experiences and insights from clinic life to the latest optometry news. They explore topics ranging from the ‘Don’t Say Doctor’ Bill’s impact on optometry to the groundbreaking treatments for geographic atrophy, the impact of MIEBO, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, XDEMVY, and more optometry news. So, fasten your seatbelts as they embark on a journey of discovery in the latest optometry news.
What’s Covered?
Introduction and ‘To The Point’ Podcast
Dr. Jennifer Lyerly:
First, let’s catch up with you. Could you share with us what’s been happening in your life recently, Dr. Jaclyn?
Dr. Jaclyn Garlich:
Certainly! Life has been quite good, a bit busy, and this year started with an unexpected busyness, just as busy as December for some reason. I’m not sure if it’s the same in your clinics, but we’ve been bustling, which is fantastic. I run a practice in Boston that continues to flourish yearly, which is wonderful. My ultimate aim is to specialize solely in treating dry eye patients, as that’s where I find the most joy. Although I still handle a fair amount of primary care, the specialized portion of my practice, particularly for dry eye, is experiencing significant growth.
Dr. Jennifer Lyerly:
You’ve been busy with podcasting as well, right? I recently enjoyed your latest episode with your new co-host, Dr. Jessilin Quint. Where can our listeners find your podcast?
Dr. Jaclyn Garlich:
Absolutely, our podcast, named ‘To The Point,’ focuses exclusively on ocular surface disease. It may not appeal to retina enthusiasts, but it’s a treasure trove for those fascinated by dry eye. Dr. Jessilin Quint and I co-host the podcast, and I believe many are already familiar with her. The essence of our podcast is brevity and precision. We aim to keep our content concise and to the point, though it might not seem so as I speak now. You can find ‘To The Point’ on BMC and iTunes.
Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Doctor’ Bill
Dr. Jennifer Lyerly:
All right. So, my vision of the podcast is to look forward to 2024. We must look back at 2023. And so we’re going to hit what each of us feel was the biggest story in optometry that will impact the future of optometry. So I’ll kick us off. My big story of 2023 was definitely the Florida, don’t say Dr. Bill because I feel like, yes, it was a moment in time for Florida optometry, but it has major impacts on optometry as a whole.
The bill in question from Florida was SB 230, which was introduced in the spring of 2023. The proposal essentially stated that individuals who were not physicians could not use the title ‘doctor’ or any similar titles typically associated with physicians. Violating this proposed law would result in a felony charge and a $10,000 fine. The bill underwent several rounds of revision in the House and Senate.
During this process, amendments were made to include certain professions like chiropractic, veterinary medicine, and dentistry, allowing them to use the title ‘doctor’. An amendment was initially included for optometry, but it was removed when the bill returned to the House, leaving dentistry, chiropractic, and podiatry with their amendments intact. Eventually, the bill reached Governor DeSantis, who vetoed it despite the bill being backed by his party. This decision was significant, especially considering that Florida houses an optometry school producing Doctors of Optometry.
Governor DeSantis’s veto likely stemmed from various factors, including the potential issues it would have caused in the field of optometry. However, Florida was not alone; several other states, including Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Texas, had similar legislation in progress. These proposals are currently either in committee or being tabled, not yet up for a vote. This situation underscores the importance of not just public education about optometry but also engagement with legislators, as they are the ones who ultimately shape the laws.
XDEMVY Approval for Demodex Blepharitis
Dr. Jaclyn Garlich:
Now, let’s pivot to a more positive story. I’m thrilled about Tarsus’ approval of XDEMVY, an eye drop designed to treat Demodex blepharitis with a six-week, twice-a-day dosing regimen. I’ve prescribed it frequently and am very pleased with the results. Treating Demodex has always been challenging, even with in-office treatments or tea tree oil wipes at home. Having this effective treatment, which aligns with the results of clinical trials, has been incredibly satisfying. It’s been a highlight of my year to offer this solution to my patients.
Dr. Darryl Glover:
That’s fascinating. Could you share how you address this treatment with your patients during consultations?
Dr. Jaclyn Garlich:
Absolutely. My approach involves taking a before photo with a slit-lamp camera—although it’s not necessary, it’s been part of my process from the start. I explained to the patient that I was prescribing XDEMVY, and while I believed it would be effective based on the studies, the real test was in its application in a clinical setting. Initially, I scheduled a follow-up in six weeks, but due to some delays in obtaining the medication, I adjusted the timeline to two months.
During the follow-up, I took an after-photo. This process is as beneficial for me as it is for the patient; it allows me to assess the treatment’s effectiveness visually. The follow-up visits, typically around the two-month mark, are usually brief. I focus on evaluating the condition of the lids and inquiring about the patient’s symptoms. This has been my approach, though I believe there are various ways to manage it.
EssilorLuxottica Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Dr. Darryl Glover:
Are you ready for this big story? Hold on, let me switch over so I can tell you what my big story is. So we were just talking about technology, and I have something exciting to share. EssilorLuxottica has introduced the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. These glasses are a game-changer when it comes to technology.
They come with a 1080p video camera that offers incredible video quality. It’s truly priceless, and you can’t find anything better than this. Additionally, these glasses feature a 12-megapixel camera that provides precise, clear, and acute images. It’s almost better than your smartphone camera.
What’s even more impressive is that you can control these smart glasses with just a click of a button or by using voice commands. You can simply say, “Hey, Meta, do this, that, and the third,” and it makes the magic happen. I’m convinced that everyone will be wearing these glasses in two to three years. They are a game-changer in the world of technology.
What is MIEBO? How do you prescribe MIEBO?
Dr. Jennifer Lyerly:
I apologize if these numbers are incorrect. In just roughly six months, it had already written over 100,000 prescriptions for MIEBO. It’s clear that there’s been a bigger impact with how optometry is embracing MIEBO. So, let’s discuss your practical experience with this, Jaclyn. I remember you recently talked about it on your podcast, and it sounded like you’re a fan.
Dr. Jaclyn Garlich:
Yeah, I like MIEBO. Writing a prescription for MIEBO became quite easy when you knew the patient would get the first month free. That was really helpful in making patients feel like they weren’t committing to something expensive. It also allowed doctors to say, “Let’s give it a try,” without the patient worrying about the cost. I’ve had positive experiences with it.
Some patients have even found situational uses for it, which may not be how it’s typically prescribed. For example, some patients who ski use the drop before skiing because the extra wind can lead to more tear evaporation, and MIEBO helps keep the tears on the eye longer. So, I think there are various situations where MIEBO can be beneficial.
Optometry News in Treating Geographic Atrophy: A Breakthrough Moment with IZERVAY
Dr. Jennifer Lyerly:
Speaking of advancements, let’s talk about geographic atrophy. There have been significant developments in this area. Not one, but two treatments for geographic atrophy received FDA approval. These treatments involve injections into the eye and can slow down the progression of geographic atrophy by approximately 35%. While I haven’t had many patients needing these treatments due to my patient base, it’s an undeniable advancement.
Dr. Darryl Glover:
My patient base hasn’t had many cases related to this, so I don’t have much personal experience. However, I know Defocus Media has partnered with Iveric Bio, and we’ve had an incredible podcast series. Dr. Jennifer Lyerly has been the host, and she’s had conversations with some of the best-known names in eye care.
Jen, could you share your experience and talk about some of the individuals you interviewed? It was truly game-changing, not just in terms of what the drugs could do, but also in how our colleagues communicate with patients, their teams, and their approach to addressing eye care issues. Some of the content you produced was truly touching.
Dr. Jennifer Lyerly:
Absolutely, Darryl. Our conversations revolved around rethinking our approach to macular degeneration patients. Historically, our focus has been primarily on detecting wet AMD, as that’s when we typically made referrals. We must shift our perspective and look for early signs of geographic atrophy. You may not spot this during a routine dilated eye exam; special equipment like OCT or fundus autofluorescence photos is often needed.
If it’s visible during a standard fundus exam, it’s usually too late for effective intervention. So, we need to leverage advanced technology in these cases. I realized that I had been underutilizing fundus autofluorescence photos, which have become a crucial tool in our approach to macular degeneration. I encourage everyone to check out this podcast series to learn how to make the most of the technology available to benefit our patients.
Dr. Darryl Glover:
That sounds fascinating. Jen, could you remind us of the names of the two drugs that were discussed in these conversations?
Dr. Jennifer Lyerly:
