Volume 7, Issue 13│March 31, 2023
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Optometry Earns National Wins While Being Under Attack from Medical Groups
An Update from IOA CEO
Leigh Ann Vanausdoll
Momentum is growing nationwide as laws, regulations, and policies are updated to recognize optometry’s essential and expanding role in health care. According to the AOA, several states, Congress, and federal agencies are making these important updates. These vital policy changes will impact the future of optometry.
Unfortunately, at the same time, optometry is facing legislative efforts to block, limit, or discourage doctors of optometry from being referenced by title as doctors and physicians.
Legislation is pending in Florida, Connecticut, and Texas. Fortunately, language is being actively opposed by affected state groups and the AOA. In Florida, the most recent state to incorporate the language, the bill relates to health care practitioners’ titles and abbreviations used in their advertisements, communications, and personal identification. Further, it states the grounds for disciplinary action and denial of licensure by practitioners’ regulatory boards.
We will keep you informed as the legislative process progresses in the targeted states. As advocates for our profession, seeing this activity brewing again is disconcerting.
It’s hard to believe that our profession is facing similar efforts to the “Not a Doctor” legislation from 2012. At the time, it was referred to by some as “revenge of the optometrists.” The strength and diligence of advocates of optometry prevailed, and hopefully, we will win again.
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Register Now to Attend Legislative Day 2023
Consider also attending the 2023 Legislative Day in Springfield. Legislative Day will be held on Tuesday, May 2. IOA members will meet with legislators to discuss current IOA-proposed bills. Face-to-face interaction is a crucial way to build support for the proposed legislation. Meeting with your legislators helps to show elected officials why a proposed bill is important and what effect it may have on their community.
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On-Demand CE Series
Did you know that IOA members receive all their required courses FREE on the On-Demand CE platform?
Sign up now to complete all six required courses FOR FREE.
Required courses:
- 1 hr of implicit bias awareness
- 1 hour of sexual harassment training
- 1 hour of Alzheimer's/dementia training for all ODs who see patients 26+
- 3 hours of safe opioid prescribing for those renewing a controlled substance license
All six hours may be taken online. CE rules allow for implicit bias and sexual harassment to count as regular hours. Safe opioid prescribing and Alzheimer's training count as online hours.
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U.S. Rep Mike Bost Fundraiser
Please join Illinois optometrists on Wednesday, May 3, for a fundraiser in support of Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro). Congressman Bost has a long history of supporting optometry, having served for two decades in the Illinois House of Representatives prior to his election to Congress.
All IOA members are welcome to attend. If you are unable to attend, please consider contributing to the event. Below is a form where you can make a donation via check or a link to make a donation via credit card. If you plan to attend the event, please RSVP to Valerie at Congressman Bost's office at 314-570-6517 or valerie@mgsconsultingllc.net.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Time: 7:30am - 9:00am
Location: Illini Country Club
1601 Illini Rd
Springfield, IL 62704
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2023-2024 IOA Board of Directors Nominations
The IOA is now accepting nominations for the 2023-2024 Board of Directors. Please complete the nomination form linked below to be considered by the Nominating Committee. Criteria for board positions include:
Criteria to be considered as a candidate to the nominating committee:
An individual wishing to be nominated as a candidate for Chair or Chair-Elect is required to:
- Be a member in good standing
- Have served as a Director during at least one (1) of the preceding four (4) years
- Submit a completed application to the Nominating Committee
- Be endorsed by at least eight (8) Members with voting privileges
- Turn in application to the Secretary/IOA office no later than 45 days prior to the date set for the Annual Meeting of the IOA.
An individual wishing to be nominated as a candidate for Secretary or Director is required to:
- Be a member in good standing,
- Submit a completed application to the Nominating Committee
- Be endorsed by at least eight (8) Members with voting privileges
- Turn in application to the Secretary/IOA office no later than 45 days prior to the date set for the Annual Meeting of the IOA.
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Peoria Optometrist Gives Advice After Nationwide Eye Drop Recall
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) – A nationwide recall of several eye drop brands are putting Central Illinois optometrists on alert.
Nearly 70 patients in at least 16 states, including Illinois, reported adverse reactions with many linked to a bacterial infection known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Some recalled brands include EzriCare and Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears products.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so far this year, some patients reported losing their vision, others have had to have their eyes surgically removed, and at least three people have died.
Dr. Timothy Cundiff, with Vison Care Center in Peoria, said he’s never seen so many eye drops recalled at one time. He said he’s also thank thankful that he hasn’t seen any local cases of these adverse reactions.
“This is something that we’re not taking lightly, we’re taking precaution and so heeding the recommendations of CDC and the FDA,” Cundiff said. “Here in Illinois we follow the directive of the Illinois Optometric Association and putting out notices of the recalls, the eye drops, and things that we should not be using.”
Dr. Cundiff said some of the symptoms people who have adverse reactions, or those with eye infections, could experience include red eyes, blood shot eyes, and sticky, gooey, watery or yellowish discharge.
He said if people have an eye issue after using eye drops, they need to notify their doctor immediately.
“If you’re having a problem, don’t try to self diagnose it and try just to treat it on your own, get it checked out,” Cundiff said. “Have that treated, have that checked out and then use the prescribed drops or the recommended eye drops that we know are safe and healthy and do not have this type of risk.”
He said when it comes to using products for your eyes, always go with the recommendations of a doctor.
“Use only the eye drops that have been prescribed or recommended by your optometrist,” Cundiff said. “When you go to the drug store it’s easy to get overwhelmed with lots of choices, lots of brands, lots of boxes of drops on the wall there, it can be overwhelming. Follow the direction of your doctor.”
Dr. Cundiff said this would also be a good time for people to clean out their medicine cabinets and throw away old medication and eye drop bottles as to not mix them up and use them by accident.
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ICO's Adxidi Garcia and Iman Moore joined Hazelcrest Mayor Vernard L Alsberry and State Representative Will Davis at the Village of Hazel Crest Community Health & Service Fair— they discussed all things eye health, including raising awareness of ocular conditions and highlighting the importance of routine eye exams.
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DEA’s New Opioid Training Mandate: What You Need to Know
Doctors of optometry and other physicians are bound by new, federal training and education requirements intended to expand access to and treatment of opioid use disorders.
Taking effect on June 27, 2023, all Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-registered practitioners will be required to attest that they have met an eight-hour training requirement on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders. Doctors must attest to having met this one-time training requirement on the date of the practitioner’s next scheduled DEA registration submission, regardless of whether it is an initial registration or a renewal. Once indicating affirmation, doctors will not be required to attest on future registration renewals.
Since December, the DEA and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have worked to develop additional guidance to physicians with the AOA advocating on behalf of optometry. Such is the case, the AOA offers the following guidance for doctors of optometry to prepare to meet this federal requirement.
When will these requirements take effect?
Anyone applying for a DEA license after June 27, 2023, will be required to attest to taking education and training related to substance abuse identification and treatment.
What courses can I take to meet these requirements?
The Providers Clinical Support System has created the “Substance Use Disorder 101 Core Curriculum,” comprised of 23 modules that can be used for doctors to meet the eight-hour DEA education and training requirement. Developed by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, the curriculum provides an overview of evidence-based practices in the prevention, identification and treatment of substance use disorders and co-occuring medical and psychiatric conditions. Each stand-alone module is available at no cost; registration is required to access these modules. When asked to identify your profession, select “other” and indicate optometry.
My state already requires an opioid training course; does that count toward these new federal requirements?
If doctors’ state program is approved by the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education or the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition then it will satisfy the federal requirements.
We understand many state courses are not approved by one of the bodies noted above. We are actively working to have state association developed coursework to be recognized by the DEA. If doctors are unsure whether their state’s course fulfills the federal requirement, please contact the AOA.
Will I be required to submit a course completion certificate to the DEA?
No, the DEA will ask that doctors simply attest to completion of the substance abuse education and training. Beginning on June 27, 2023, doctors will be required to check a box on their online DEA registration form—regardless of whether a registrant is completing their initial registration application or renewing—affirming they have completed the requirement. Doctors will not be required to provide certificates of completion; however, the AOA strongly recommends retaining any documentation or certificates for your own records.
Does the AOA have an educational course I can take?
Do I need to take additional training if I just graduated optometry school?
Doctors who graduated in 2019 or thereafter are not required to meet this additional training requirement.
I have previously taken related education approved by one of the recognized bodies, so does that count toward the DEA education and training requirement?
Yes, related education approved by one of the aforementioned bodies and taken prior to Congress’ action in December 2022 can count toward the doctor’s eight-hour requirement.
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ATTN EDUCATORS & 2018-2022 GRADUATES: LAST CHANCE for AOA+ Travel Grants for New Doctors, Educators Eligible
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We want to hear your memories of the IOA! In celebration of our 125th anniversary in 2023, the IOA is collecting your stories about the organization.
Please share your thoughts on the importance of IOA membership, favorite memories from IOA, or your thoughts on the history of the IOA.
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Report illegal and unsafe contact lens sales to the FDA & FTC
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September 28-October 1, 2023 - IOA Annual Meeting
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel | Schaumburg, IL
Up to 18 hours TQ CE
Registration opens mid-July
November 2023
Southern IL CE
6 Hrs TQ
Details coming soon!
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Check out the newest IOA classifieds here!
Part-time optometrist desired, flexible schedule, No Weekends! $550 a day. ( Read more)
Full-Time Optometrist needed in our large, Downtown Chicago, Primary Care Optometric office. Specialty contact lens fittings, myopia control, medical eye care and routine comprehensive exams. ( Read more)
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Keep an eye on your reviews and respond to them when necessary
The first step to monitoring online reviews for your business is to make a list of review sites. This should consist of both general review sites, such as Google, Yelp, and Facebook, along with industry-specific sites.
You have two options when it comes to review monitoring. You can either use a review monitoring tool or do it manually.
Manually monitoring reviews can be time-consuming, and reviews might be missed, but it is free and an easy way to start. To reduce missed reviews, ensure that your email address is registered with the review platform and that you have opted in to receive an alert each time a new review is published.
A monitoring tool is a quicker, more efficient way to keep track of your online reviews, but there is often a cost involved. This removes the risk of reviews being missed and enables you to respond quickly. You will be able to take action quickly in the event of a negative review appearing.
Whichever method of monitoring you choose, be sure to keep a log of the volume, contents, and frequency of the reviews, as well as any negative ones that required actions or responses.
Review your patient feedback to identify areas for improvement and make changes that help improve your customer experience. Remember to ask patients to review your office on platforms like Google, Facebook, Yelp, and Zocdoc.
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Rep. Mary Gill Sworn In as 35th District Rep
The Beverly Review reports that Mary Gill, the current executive director of the Mt. Greenwood Community and Business Association, has been appointed as state representative of the 35th District. Gill replaces Fran Hurley, who was appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to serve on the IL Labor Relations Board.
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Pritzker: Illinois Will Work to Protect Preventive Health Care for Residents, Following Texas Ruling
Vision Tests Among Services Blocked by Federal Judge in ACA Case
Chicago Tribune
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois will try to make sure preventive health care services — such as cancer screenings, vision tests, and certain medications — continue to be covered by insurance, despite a Thursday ruling by a federal judge that throws such coverage into question nationally.
A federal judge in Texas on Thursday struck down a part of the Affordable Care Act that requires most insurers to cover preventive services that include screenings for cancer, diabetes and mental health. Other no-cost services, including HIV screenings, are also affected by the ruling by U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor that opponents say will jeopardize preventive care for millions of Americans.
Experts say insurers are unlikely to stop any coverage immediately, and the Biden administration is expected to appeal.
Pritzker said in a statement Thursday that the Illinois Department of Insurance “will work to protect the preventive services mandate to ensure continued coverage for our residents despite this decision.” He said he plans to work with state lawmakers on the issue.
“Today’s decision out of Texas gutting the preventive services mandate is a devastating blow to millions of Americans who receive lifesaving treatment each year thanks to screenings and preventive care,” Pritzker said.
He called it “another sad example of political grandstanding overshadowing common sense.”
“Illinoisans will not go without essential cancer and diabetes screenings, vision tests, and PrEP/PEP access to satisfy a right-wing agenda,” he said.
The state health department can typically regulate individual health insurance plans sold on Healthcare.gov, but not plans that are “self-funded,” which are the types of plans often offered by large employers.
When asked Thursday whether the state would have the power to require most insurers cover preventive services, Jordan Abudayyeh, a spokesperson for the governor, said in an email, “We’re currently exploring all legislative options and will have more details once we have some time to dig into them and figure out which one is the best path forward.”
In the ruling Thursday, O’Conner blocked the Affordable Care Act requirement that most insurers cover a range of preventive care — including screenings for multiple types of cancer. The ruling sided with plaintiffs who include a conservative activist in Texas and a Christian dentist who opposed mandatory coverage for contraception and an HIV prevention treatment on religious grounds.
The requirements for coverage are driven by recommendations by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which is made up of volunteers. O’Connor ruled that enforcing the recommendations was “unlawful” and a violation of the Constitution’s Appointment Clause, which lays out how government officials can be appointed.
O’Connor, a nominee of former President George W. Bush, also ruled more than four years ago that the Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional, but the U.S. Supreme Court overturned that ruling.
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'Dangerous' New TikTok Trend Sees People Smear Lip Balm on Their EYELIDS to 'Get High'
Doctors are warning of a dangerous new TikTok trend that sees people apply lip balm to their eyelids to 'get high' or pull an all night study session.
'Beezin', which first emerged in the 2010s, involves people putting Burt's Bees lip balm around their eyes to imitate and intensify the feeling of being high or drunk, as well as make them feel more alert.
While the trend last decade was short-lived, it is enjoying a renaissance in recent months after videos racked up millions of views on TikTok.
Doctors warned that promoting this idea was 'dangerous' because it could cause skin conditions such as eyelid dermatitis and possible infections, which could be 'sight-threatening'.
Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, the classic flavor of which contains peppermint, can leave users' lips feeling cold and tingly.
The same effect can be felt on the eyelids when applied there, as the peppermint oil causes a burning sensation that reportedly leaves people's eyes feeling alert.
Videos show people rubbing the lip balm around their eyes and then passing it onto their friends.
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm has ingredients including peppermint oil. The brand’s Medicated Moisturizing Lip Balm also contains menthol.
Both of these substances will give a cooling effect where applied, which can also make people feel more alert.
Dr Mike Balgemann, an optometrist in Illinois, told DailyMail.com: 'The menthol gives eyes a cooling effect from its alcohol nature. However, that is only a temporary effect that pinches blood vessels and also dries the eyes out with repeated use.
'Getting menthol into the eyes will generally just irritate the eyes, leaving a person with the mistaken impression that they're more awake from the discomfort. This will make the eyes water to flush the foreign agent.'
He added that the 'eyelids is thinnest of any skin on our body—it's highly sensitive and very delicate'.
If the substance gets into the eyes, it could increase the risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and infection, Dr Balgemann said.
He added: 'Applying menthol-based balm to the eyelids is taking a risk. Using someone else's lip balm, used on the lips, then on the eyes, is a vector for infection. Any infection on the surface of the eye is potentially sight-threatening.
'Using a lip balm on an eyelid that may have come into contact with a viral infection such as a cold sore on the lip can increase the risk for a herpes infection of the eye which can do significant damage to the window of your eye, the cornea.'
Professor Bernard Chang, consultant ophthalmologist at Newmedica, told DailyMail.com: 'This is a potentially dangerous trend which we would advise anyone against doing. Lip balm contains many types of natural oils which are likely to act as an irritant if accidently applied to the surface of the eye.
'Eyelids are vascular so there can be some skin absorption. Eyelid skin is also very thin and easily irritated and this could cause pain, redness, and potentially surface abrasions.'
Cosmetic scientist Carly Musleh also warned against the trend on TikTok. She said that applying lip balm to the eyelids 'could cause contact dermatitis'.
Eyelid dermatitis is a common condition that leads the skin on or around the eyelid to get dry, itchy, and sore.
A representative for Burt’s Bees told Fox News Digital that while the product may be 100 percent natural, 'that doesn’t mean it can go on eyes'.
They said: 'Burt’s Bees tests all of its products, including the Beeswax Lip Balm to ensure they are safe for their intended use. We recommend that people use our products as directed.'
Optometry Times' Editorial Advisory Board member Milton Hom said the trend could result in 'a full-blown inflammatory response requiring treatment'.
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How We Should Respond to New State Bills Prohibiting Us From Calling Ourselves “Doctors”
By Mark T. Marciano, OD
March 22, 2023
(PHOTO) Dr. Marciano at work in his office. He says that Florida State Senate Bill 230 is a danger to the professional standing of optometrists, as it would prohibit ODs from using the designations “doctor” and “optometric physician” to describe themselves. Other similar bills have been introduced in other states.
Senate Bill 230 passed the Florida Senate and now heads to the Florida House of Representatives to await being heard in committee. SB 230 was purposely intended to restrict optometrists from calling themselves “doctors” or “optometric physicians.” Furthermore, this harmful legislation also imposes a felony-level penalty of “practicing medicine without a license” against an optometrist for the use of these descriptive terms, which is an egregious and abusive overreach of governmental enforcement for a civil offense.
It is especially disturbing to note that other allied health professionals such as chiropractors, podiatrists and dentists are now permitted to use the terms and titles of “doctor” and “physician” in identifying themselves and their education and training while optometrists would be prohibited from doing so.
To no surprise, the Florida Society of Ophthalmology stood up in support of passing this bill. However, many letters from Florida ophthalmologists around the state have been written on behalf of Florida optometrists in opposition to SB 230. It is of great significance that many MDs and DOs have responded on our behalf, and voiced their opinion to the Florida legislature to oppose the potentially offensive treatment of optometrists put forth by SB 230.
SB 230 contains discriminatory language that clearly disparages the profession of optometry in the state of Florida. The FOA and its legislative team have mobilized in its opposition to this bill. Volunteers and members of the FOA board of trustees have been crossing the state, meeting with all practicing optometrists and students to relay the message and galvanize support. And our colleagues have heeded the call to action with an impressive phone and e-mail campaign voicing their strong opposition to legislators throughout the state.
Although this legislation first surfaced in Florida, it has now been introduced in multiple states around the country. Make no mistake, FOA will remain vigilant in protecting the honorable profession of optometry and our doctor-patient relationship with Floridians.
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Alzheimer’s First Signs May Appear in Your Eyes, Study Finds
By Sandee LaMotte, CNN
Published 11:05 AM EDT, Fri March 24, 2023
CNN — The eyes are more than a window to the soul — they’re also a reflection of a person’s cognitive health.
“The eye is the window into the brain,” said ophthalmologist Dr. Christine Greer, director of medical education at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Boca Raton, Florida. “You can see directly into the nervous system by looking into the back of the eye, toward the optic nerve and retina.”
One day doctors may be able to use eye tests to identify cognitive decline soon after it begins.
Research has been exploring how the eye may help in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms begin. The disease is well advanced by the time memory and behavior are affected.
“Alzheimer’s disease begins in the brain decades before the first symptoms of memory loss,” said Dr. Richard Isaacson, an Alzheimer’s preventive neurologist who is also at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases.
If doctors are able to identify the disease in its earliest stages, people could then make healthy lifestyle choices and control their “modifiable risk factors, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes,” Isaacson said,
The eye knows
Just how early can we see signs of cognitive decline? To find out, a recent study examined donated tissue from the retina and brains of 86 people with different degrees of mental decline.
“Our study is the first to provide in-depth analyses of the protein profiles and the molecular, cellular, and structural effects of Alzheimer’s disease in the human retina and how they correspond with changes in the brain and cognitive function,” said senior author Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, a professor of neurosurgery and biomedical sciences at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, in a statement.
“These changes in the retina correlated with changes in parts of the brain called the entorhinal and temporal cortices, a hub for memory, navigation and the perception of time,” Koronyo-Hamaoui said.
Investigators in the study collected retinal and brain tissue samples over 14 years from 86 human donors with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment — the largest group of retinal samples ever studied, according to the authors.
Researchers then compared samples from donors with normal cognitive function to those with mild cognitive impairment and those with later-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, published in February in the journal Acta Neuropathologica, found significant increases in beta-amyloid, a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease, in people with both Alzheimer’s and early cognitive decline.
Microglial cells declined by 80% in those with cognitive issues, the study found. These cells are responsible for repairing and maintaining other cells, including clearing beta-amyloid from the brain and retina.
“Markers of inflammation were (also) found, which may be an equally important marker for disease progression,” said Isaacson, who was not involved in the study.
“The findings were also apparent in people with no or minimal cognitive symptoms, which suggests these new eye tests may be well-positioned to aid in early diagnosis.”
The study researchers found higher numbers of immune cells tightly surrounding amyloid beta plaques as well as other cells responsible for inflammation and cell and tissue death.
Tissue atrophy and inflammation in cells in the far periphery of the retina were most predictive of cognitive status, the study found.
“These findings may eventually lead to the development of imaging techniques that allow us to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease earlier and more accurately,” Isaacson said, “and monitor its progression noninvasively by looking through the eye.”
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FEEL GOOD STORY OF THE WEEK |
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York Woman Saved from Potential Blindness After Seeing Flashes of Light
A WOMAN from York says she has been saved from potential blindness after a trip to a city optician.
Sharon Harrison, 49, who lives in Acomb and works as a lunchtime behavioural manager at Funfishers Nursery and Fulford School, said she called Specsavers York when she began to experience flashes and floaters in her vision.
The team advised her to come in as soon as she could for an immediate appointment at the Vangarde store.
She has since praised the ‘incredible’ team after a sight-threatening condition was spotted during her eye test.
During the test, the optometrist used an OCT (optical coherence tomography) machine to take a scan of Sharon’s eye. The machine produces a 3D scan of the eye and can help detect a range of eye conditions, in some cases much earlier than traditional methods. The results showed Sharon had a retinal tear, which if left untreated, could have resulted in sight loss.
The optometrist made an immediate emergency referral to York Hospital, where Sharon underwent laser eye surgery to repair the tear. Following her surgery, she was allowed to drive home to Cumbria for Christmas.
After Christmas, Sharon experienced further disrupted vision. With help from her family, she returned to York Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a vitreous haemorrhage - blood in the gel of the eye, commonly associated with a retinal tear or detachment .
Surgeons performed a procedure to remove the gel inside the eye, replacing it with gas to hold the retina in place as it heals.
Having fully recovered from her surgeries with no permanent damage to her sight, Sharon extended her thanks to the team at Specsavers Vangarde, York.
She said: "If you are experiencing eye discomfort or compromised vision, calling your opticians for advice before joining an A&E waitlist can be the difference between losing and saving your sight.
"The team at Specsavers Vangarde were incredible, I’m so grateful they saw me so quickly, especially on Christmas Eve and arranged the care I needed at York Hospital, I can’t thank them enough."
Charlotte Turner, ophthalmic director at Specsavers York, said: "People with eye related conditions account for 5 million GP consultations and 270,000 A&E attendances per year.
"The majority of these eye-related queries could be dealt with by optometrists which is why we’re encouraging people to come to us as their first port of call, easing pressure on medical services and getting people the care and advise they need quickly."
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Which Eye Drops Are Being Recalled? A Full List of Potentially Contaminated Artificial Tears
More than five eye drop brands have launched recalls while health officials investigate a serious bacterial outbreak linked to blindness, eye loss and three deaths.
PUBLISHED: MAR 25, 2023
Federal health investigators are uncovering more about an outbreak of an uncommon strain of bacteria known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is increasingly being traced back to eye drops. The bacteria can trigger debilitating eye infections that may cause permanent blindness, or even surgical eye removal altogether, which has been the case for at least one woman in Florida recently.
With officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issuing first warnings on the uptick in bacterial infections back in January 2023, CDC agents have now identified nearly 70 patients in 16 different states that have suffered drug-resistant infections and multiple symptoms. There have been a total of three deaths linked back to exposure through eye drops specifically, with federal investigators indicating that they may soon learn of additional illnesses.
Earlier this year, there were at least two distinct recalls that were linked to potential bacterial contamination, with CDC agents indicating that EzriCare Artificial Tears were most commonly cited in the bulk of reported infections thus far. "Testing of unopened bottles of EzriCare Artificial Tears is ongoing to assist in evaluating whether contamination may have occurred during manufacturing," per current CDC reports.
But CDC officials have also indicated they are still actively investigating the source of bacterial contamination — there's a possibility that more recalls may take place in the future as healthcare providers learn more about those impacted by tainted eye drops. "Patients reported over 10 different brands of artificial tears and some patients used multiple brands," the CDC indicated.
Read on to learn more about a current list of recalled eye drops and symptoms of bacterial eye infections to consider. This article will be updated with more information about current recalls as it becomes available.
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FTC Hosting Public Workshop on Proposed Eyeglass Rule Changes in Washington DC
The FTC announced that they will hold a public workshop on May 18, 2023, in Washington DC to discuss proposed changes to the Ophthalmic Practice Rules, also known as the Eyeglass Rule. The workshop is free and open to the public and pre-registration is not required.
The proposed rule changes would align the Eyeglass Rule with the Contact Lens Rule and require prescribers to get a signed statement from the patient confirming that they have received their prescription and keep a record of that acknowledgment for three years. Prescribers would be required to provide all patients with a copy of their prescription immediately after their eye exam and cannot require a patient to buy eyeglasses, pay a fee, or sign a waiver as a condition of providing them with a copy of their prescription.
The workshop will be held at the Constitution Center in Washington DC from 9am - 1pm ET, and will be available for viewing online.
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THANK YOU TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS! |
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