Tag: Dr. Jennifer Lyerly

The topic of low-dose atropine, not FDA-approved, has become one of the most important conversations in pediatric eye care this year, especially as clinicians turn to the STAR Study for clarity on atropine’s role in modern myopia control. The STAR Study is the largest and most ethnically diverse atropine study to date, evaluating 0.01% and 0.03% atropine versus placebo in more than 800 children across three countries.

Presbyopia is finally meeting its match in-clinic with Qlosi™ presbyopia eye drops (pilocarpine 0.4%), offering a practical, performance-based option alongside glasses, contact lenses, and surgery. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Lyerly and Dr. Derek Cunningham discuss how to position presbyopia drops for success, including who to treat, how to dose, what to say chairside, and why athletes appreciate the functional freedom.

Vision loss is never a purely clinical journey. As Dr. Jennifer Lyerly shares at the start of this Defocus Media episode, geographic atrophy affects patients emotionally, socially, and psychologically. Optometrists, therefore, play a central role in offering meaningful support throughout the entire geographic atrophy experience—especially as new treatment options, including Izervay, enter the landscape.

Independent optometry flourishes when doctors have the freedom to practice on their own terms—without feeling like they’re doing it alone. That belief is at the core of IDOC’s brand refresh, “Independent. Together.” In a recent Defocus Media conversation, hosts Dr. Darryl Glover and Dr. Jenn Lyerly spoke with Dave Brown, CEO of IDOC (Independent Doctors of Optometric Care), about the organization’s 25-year journey. Brown shared how IDOC’s unified brand, robust data tools, and comprehensive business services are helping private practice optometry become stronger, more connected, and better positioned for long-term growth.

Geographic atrophy of the eye is a serious, progressive form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that can lead to irreversible vision loss. For many years, patients who asked “what is GA?” were told there was no effective treatment. Today, with FDA-approved therapies like Izervay are designed to slow disease progression, the responsibility falls on eye care professionals to identify geographic atrophy symptoms early and ensure patients enter the right care pathway. A clear referral process between optometrists and ophthalmologists is essential to deliver the best outcomes for patients with GA in eyes.

Key Takeaways Eye-Safe Makeup Revolutionizes Ocular Surface Disease Care: Discover how truly safe makeup, developed over 15 years of R&D and global expert collaboration, preserves...

Presbyopia is a natural, age-related condition affecting 128 million worldwide, often addressed  with traditional solutions like reading glasses or progressive lenses. However, a groundbreaking  alternative is emerging: QLOSI™, a new presbyopia treatment featuring a 0.4% pilocarpine  hydrochloride ophthalmic solution.

Is Arkansas the best place to practice optometry in the United States? Thanks to a groundbreaking new law targeting Vision Benefit Manager abuse, the...

This episode dives into the groundbreaking advancements reshaping the optometry field, from dry eye innovations and the rise of smart glasses to improved specialty pharmacies and new presbyopia treatments. These technologies and strategies offer exciting opportunities to redefine patient care and enhance clinical practices.

The conversation delved into the science behind aceclidine, its advantages over existing treatments like pilocarpine, and its potential to revolutionize presbyopia management.