Important Optometry Headlines From 2024

How can I summarize an entire year of research, product rollouts, submissions, and (eye care) politics? I came up with the following list of what I consider some of the biggest headlines of 2024. This list is not intended to be fully comprehensive—there’s no way it could be—but to split things up a bit, Nabila Gomez, OD, FAAO, provides a highlight of the most important and relevant FDA approvals last year, so be sure to check out “2024 in Review: FDA Approval and Product Launches.”

IT WAS A BIG YEAR FOR …

Eye Drops

The FDA accepted a new drug application submitted by LENZ Therapeutics for aceclidine 1.75% (LNZ100) in October.¹ This small molecule muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist may provide us with a new drop to offer our patients with presbyopia by mid-to-late 2025.

On the topic of eye drops, who could forget the eye drop recalls that made national headlines? Although the story broke in 2023, the lasting impact of the situation, with reports that four people died from such contaminations, merits a mention. The story began with recalls from private labeled drugs sold at drug stores around the country, amongst others.² Months later, the damaging eye drop story reached fever pitch when the now notorious EzriCare brand was reported to have been associated with the deaths four people and the infections of dozens more.²

Contact Lenses

In November, Alcon launched Precision7, the first 1-week replacement contact lens,³ and in June, Bausch + Lomb launched Infuse for Astigmatism Contact Lenses in the United States.⁴ If you know me, you know I’m passionate about scleral lenses, so I also have to mention Bausch + Lomb’s launch of the Zenlens Echo scleral lens in May.⁵ The lens has numerous new features, including the company’s propriety Quad Sym Technology, Bi-Elevation, and MicroVault technology.

IOLs

Rayner in August announced plans to launch the first IOLs designed using AI. The RayOne Galaxy and the Galaxy Toric1 are designed to be spiral-shaped IOL, which allows “focal power distribution on the output dipper in a spiral pattern, dividing the surface into two equal zones,” according to the company.⁶

Other Devices

This past summer, BioTissue introduced its newest cryopreserved amniotic membrane, the CAM360 AmnioGraft.⁷ It is designed as to be ringless and does not require refrigeration.

Oasis Medical launched the Soft Plug Extended Duration 180-T Canalicular Plug in April.⁸ The plugs are designed to be absorbable canalicular occluders that offer a practical option for transient dry eye symptoms. The tapered plug includes a “0.25 mm tapered end for easy insertion into the punctal opening, and from there, it gradually widens to a 0.6 mm diameter at the top end to contribute to occlusion of the canaliculus,” according to the company.⁸

In January, M&S Technologies announced the US launch of the M&S Bruder Ocular Surface Analyzer, which is designed to be an all-in-one device for in-office dry eye assessment and diagnosis.⁹ The device offers multiple tests for dry eye and can capture and provide test results in just 15 seconds per eye.

Alcon officially acquired the Israel-based company Belkin Vision in July.¹⁰ The latter’s flagship product, the Eagle device, is a Nd:YAG laser device that is designed to provide an automated and noninvasive solution for selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) for the treatment of glaucoma. The device delivers laser energy directly through the limbus to the trabecular meshwork without using a gonioscopy lens and without making contact with the eye.

DON’T SKIP THESE RESEARCH FINDINGS

In my attempt to succinctly summarize the past 12 months, I felt it essential to include the results of several important study findings.

Myopia Management

One study found that weekly use of atropine 1% was effective at controlling myopia in children 3 to 15 years of age.¹¹ In addition, new data from a follow-up study to the Low Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression trial, which evaluated the long-term effectiveness of low-concentration atropine (0.05%) over 5 years, found that it was also effective for myopia control in children.¹²

In February, the FDA granted breakthrough device designation to SightGlass Vision’s Diffusion Optics Technology spectacle lenses.¹³ These lenses were a joint venture between CooperCompanies and EssilorLuxottica and are designed to reduce pediatric myopia using thousands of light-scattering elements, called “dots,” that imitate more natural contrast at all distances before hitting the retina.

Hoya reported 8-year data on their MiYOSMART spectacle lenses at the 2024 International Myopia Conference in China.¹⁴ These lenses feature Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments technology for pediatric patients with myopia. The study evaluated long-term myopia control in pediatric patients using this feature, which employs a honeycomb-shaped segment treatment area and a clear zone.¹⁴

Dry Eye

Although it was released in 2023, the Tear Film & Ocular Surface (TFOS) Society Lifestyle Report is so dense with useful information that many of us are still teasing out, including the effects of sleep on dry eye: “Several aspects of sleep (poor subjective sleep quality, long sleep latency, short sleep duration, poor habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, and daytime dysfunction) were associated with increased DED symptom severity. These associations remained significant after accounting for potential confounders.”¹⁵ The TFOS report goes on to state that “large population-based studies have consistently reported an association between DED symptoms and sleep abnormalities.”¹⁵ I have begun asking every patient with dry eye in my clinic about their sleep patterns since reading this report.

Relatedly, a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology showed that melatonin supplementation may be associated with decreased risk of development and progression of AMD.¹⁶

Glaucoma

More research has been released and conducted regarding the efficacy of SLT treatments for primary open-angle glaucoma compared with eye drop therapy. A recent study showed that “a reduction in the number of medications positively impacts the long-term success of treatment by mitigating the variable of nonadherence to eye drops. Our meta-analysis found a pooled estimate of 1.09 lessen medications in favor of SLT.” SLT was also found to be comparable in efficacy with medical therapy.¹⁷ Another study published in August also showed the efficacy of SLT, including repeated SLTs, for managing primary open-angle glaucoma.¹⁸

Keratoconus

Glaukos in October released positive top-line data from its second phase 3 confirmatory pivotal trial evaluating Epioxa, a next-generation corneal cross-linking therapy based on its iLink platform for treating keratoconus.¹⁹ This therapy will use a proprietary novel drug formulation to reduce treatment time and modified riboflavin to boost penetration through the corneal epithelium. Glaukos anticipates submitting a new drug application for Epioxa by end of 2024 or early 2025.¹⁹

On the topic of keratoconus, a study published earlier in the year in Cornea found that patient age is the most significant predictor of corneal thinning and K-max progression.²⁰

Diabetes

A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology showed that semaglutide for the treatment diabetes was tied to increased risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.²¹

Cataracts

Cataract surgery appears to have a cognitive benefit: A meta-analysis published in Ophthalmology suggests that the procedure may be associated with a 25% lower risk of dementia and long-term cognitive impairment compared with participants who had uncorrected cataracts.²²

NEWS FROM OUR PROFESSION

The Federal Trade Commission’s changes to the Ophthalmic Practice Rule (also known as the “Eyeglass Rule”) went into effect on September 24,²³ requiring prescribers to have their patients sign a statement confirming they received their prescription and to retain that copy for 3 years. (Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission has done little to stop our patients from ordering contact lenses through unscrupulous online sources.)

Remember Florida’s “Not A Doctor” bill from 2023? Well, it came roaring back in 2024, just 9 months after Governor Ron Desantis vetoed it.²⁴ This bill, SB1112, Health Care Practitioners Titles and Designations, would have banned optometrists from referring to themselves as “physicians.” It was reintroduced into the Florida House and was promptly defeated (again), thanks to the excellent mobilization of the Florida Optometric Association.

New data found that most students entering optometry school are women. The trend of more females enrolling in optometry schools has steadily risen in recent years. In my class (2013), the percentage of women enrolled in first-year optometry classes was 63%, compared with 70% in the class of 2026. The number of enrollees in each year’s class has increased from 1,803 (for the class of 2013) to 2,078 (for the class of 2028), which equates to a staggering 15% jump in female students.²⁵ Indeed, the future of our profession is female—and bright!

keep up the good work

As we look back on the myriad of advancements in the field of eye care throughout 2024, it is clear that innovation continues to thrive, bringing new hope and solutions to our patients. From breakthrough drug approvals and cutting-edge devices to significant research findings and legislative updates, this year has set a strong foundation for the future. It’s up to all of us on the front lines practicing as well as those in industry to carry forward the momentum of these achievements into 2025, as we strive to further enhance the quality of vision care and patient outcomes.

1. LENZ Therapeutics announces FDA acceptance of new drug application for LNZ100 for the treatment of presbyopia [press release.] October 21, 2024. www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/21/2966144/0/en/LENZ-Therapeutics-Announces-FDA-Acceptance-of-New-Drug-Application-for-LNZ100-for-the-Treatment-of-Presbyopia.html

2. Infections from over-the-counter artificial tears: Implications for patients and clinicians. UC Davis Health. November 13, 2023. Accessed January 17, 2024. health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/infections-from-over-the-counter-artificial-tears-implications-for-patients-and-clinicians/2023/11#:~:text=The%20Food%20and%20Drug%20Administration,were%20reported%20as%20of%20May.

3. Alcon Debuts Groundbreaking PRECISION7, a One-Week Replacement Contact Lens to Start and End Every Week Fresh [press release]. November 7, 2024. investor.alcon.com/news-and-events/press-releases/news-details/2024/Alcon-Debuts-Groundbreaking-PRECISION7-a-One-Week-Replacement-Contact-Lens-to-Start-and-End-Every-Week-Fresh/default.aspx

4. Bausch + Lomb INFUSE for Astigmatism silicone hydrogel daily disposable contact lenses introduced in the United States. Businesswire. June 10, 2024. www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240610495312/en/Bausch-Lomb-INFUSE%C2%AE-for-Astigmatism-Silicone-Hydrogel-Daily-Disposable-Contact-Lenses-Introduced-in-the-United-States

5. Bausch + Lomb launches Zenlens Echo scleral lenses in the United States. Eyewire+. May 8, 2024. eyewire.news/news/bausch-lomb-launches-zenlens-echo-scleral-lenses-in-the-united-states

6. Rayner announces launch of world’s first spiral IOL designed with AI [press release]. Rayner. August 27, 2024. rayner.com/global/rayner-announces-launch-of-worlds-first-spiral-iol-designed-with-ai/

7. CAM360 AmnioGraft. BioTissue. biotissue.com/products/ocular/cam360-amniograft/

8. OASIS Medical Inc. brings a new shape to punctal occlusion. Eyes on Glance. April 6, 2024. glance.eyesoneyecare.com/press-releases/oasis-medical-inc-brings-a-new-shape-to-punctal-occlusion/

9. M&S Bruder Ocular Surface Analyzer (BOSA). Bruder. bruderpro.com/ms-technologies-bruder-ocular-surface-analyzer-bosa/

10. Alcon completes acquisition of Belkin Vision, expanding glaucoma portfolio with direct selective laser trabeculoplasty (DSLT) device. Alcon. July 1, 2024. www.alcon.com/media-release/alcon-completes-acquisition-belkin-vision-expanding-glaucoma-portfolio-direct/

11. Du L, Ding L, Chen J, et al. Efficacy of weekly dose of 1% atropine for myopia control in Chinese children. [Published online ahead of print August 9, 2024.] Br J Ophthalmol.

12. Zhang XJ, Zhang Y, Yip BHK, et al. Five-year clinical trial of the low-concentration atropine for myopia progression (LAMP) study: phase 4 report. Ophthalmology. 2024;131(9):1011-1020.

13. SightGlass Vision receives breakthrough device designation from US Food and Drug Administration [press release]. February 14, 2024. www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sightglass-vision-receives-breakthrough-device-designation-from-us-food-and-drug-administration-302062227.html

14. HOYA reports 8-year data on DIMS spectacle lenses for pediatric myopia. Eyes on Glance. September 30, 2024. glance.eyesoneyecare.com/stories/2024-09-30/hoya-reports-8-year-data-on-dims-spectacle-lenses-for-pediatric-myopia/

15. Galor A, Britten-Jones AC, Feng Y, et al. TFOS Lifestyle: Impact of lifestyle challenges on the ocular surface. Ocul Surf. 2023;28:262-303.

16. Jeong H, Shaia JK, Markle JC, Talcott KE, Singh RP. Melatonin and risk of age-related macular degeneration. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024;142(7):648-654.

17. Chavez MP, Guedes GB, Pasqualotto E, et al. Selective laser trabeculoplasty versus medical therapy for the treatment of open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Glaucoma. 2024;33(12):973-986.

18. Yang Y, Xu K, Chen Z, et al; LiGHT China Trial Study Group. Responsiveness to selective laser trabeculoplasty in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024;142(10):918-924.

19. Glaukos announces positive topline outcomes in phase 3 confirmatory trial for Epioxa. Eyes on Glance. October 16, 2024. glance.eyesoneyecare.com/press-releases/glaukos-announces-positive-topline-outcomes-in-phase-3-confirmatory-trial-for-epioxa/

20. Arnalich-Montiel F, Ortiz-Toquero S, Kandel H, et al. Intereye asymmetry as a predictor of progression in patients with untreated keratoconus: findings from a longitudinal study. [Published online ahead of print June 25, 2024.] Cornea.

21. Hathaway JT, Shah MP, Hathaway DB, et al. Risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients prescribed semaglutide. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024;142(8):732-739.

22. Yeo BSY, Ong RYX, Ganasekar P, Tan BKJ, Seow DCC, Tsai ASH. Cataract surgery and cognitive benefits in the older person: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ophthalmology. 2024;131(8):975-984.

23. Are you ready for the Eyeglass Rule of 2024? American Optometric Association. www.aoa.org/news/advocacy/federal-advocacy/are-you-ready-for-the-eyeglass-rule-of-2024?sso=y

24. Florida optometrists quash effort—again—to pass ‘not-a-doctor’ bill. American Optometric Association. www.aoa.org/news/advocacy/state-advocacy/florida-optometrists-quash-effort-again-to-pass-not-a-doctor-bill?sso=y

25. Delaney-Gesing A. Future of optometry is increasingly women, report finds. Eyes on Eyecare. October 17, 2024. Accessed January 17, 2024. glance.eyesoneyecare.com/stories/2024-10-17/future-of-optometry-is-increasingly-women-report-finds/