Ocular Irrigation for Allergic Conjunctivitis
Rinsada presented results from a pilot study, conducted by Cory Lappin, OD, MS, FAAO, of the Dry Eye Center of Ohio in Cincinnati, and Srinivas Sai A. Kondapalli, MD, of Everett & Hurite Ophthalmic Association in Pittsburgh at Academy 2026. The study evaluated the company’s ocular irrigation device as an adjunct to olopatadine 0.7% for allergic conjunctivitis. It irrigates the palpebral conjunctiva and fornix and is indicated for removal of irritants from the ocular surface. The prospective, contralateral-eye study included 16 patients, or 32 eyes, with active allergic conjunctivitis and a history of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. One eye received complete ocular mucosal lavage with Rinsada followed 5 minutes later by olopatadine 0.7%, while the fellow eye received olopatadine alone.
At 15 minutes, eyes treated with Rinsada plus olopatadine showed a median 2.0-point improvement in ocular itch, compared with no median improvement in eyes that received olopatadine alone. The company reported that symptom reduction persisted through 21 days in most eyes that were treated with Rinsada. Investigators hypothesize that lavage may reduce ocular surface allergen load, but characterized the pilot findings as supporting further investigation of the approach.
Moisture Retention as New Contact Lens Material Property
Optometric Management spoke with Dr. Kelly Arnold about an abstract she presented with coauthors at the American Academy of Optometry on moisture retention index (MRI) values as a new parameter for describing contact lens material properties in 7 commercially available daily disposable silicon hydrogel contact lenses. MRI is a dynamic material property that indicates a material's propensity to retain moisture under specified environmental conditions, such as dry environments or heavy digital-device use, whereas properties such as water content or Dk/t characterize the material largely independent of its surroundings. MRI has not yet been prospectively correlated with clinical comfort or dryness, however. The researchers currently view MRI as a potential way to better understand the material properties that contribute to contact lens performance, rather than as a demonstrated predictor of comfort. Tear composition, blink rate, environmental conditions, and ocular surface disease remain important variables that could eventually be incorporated into models to better understand how the material behaves under different conditions.
Modeling studies are the next major step. Dr. Arnold said researchers plan to model pervaporative loss in the broader context of moisture loss from the ocular system. The goal is to consider factors such as the amount of moisture that is normally present on the ocular surface and estimate how much moisture might be lost through a particular material over a period of lens wear.
Dr. Arnold and her coauthors disclosed that they are employees of Johnson & Johnson.
The OD's Involvement When Perimenopause Overlaps With Presbyopia
Meredith Bishop OD, MS, FAAO, discussed data she presented with coauthors from their abstract “Perceptions of Linking Presbyopia with Perimenopause: A Survey of U.S. Female Eye Care Professionals.” Declining estrogen and other hormonal changes can contribute to ocular surface dryness and associated vision changes, while presbyopia independently causes declining near vision. Because they occur around the same life stage, their visual effects can compound one another, but there is not a causal relationship between them. Dr. Bishop highlighted a gap between awareness and action from the responses: Although most surveyed ECPs recognized the overlap between presbyopia and perimenopause or menopause, more than half did not initiate broader conversations with patients. Dr. Bishop encouraged optometrists to proactively ask patients about their symptoms, address ocular surface disease and presbyopic correction separately, and refer patients to their primary care physician or OB-GYN when systemic symptoms warrant further evaluation. Patient education could also include resources such as brochures, QR codes, or videos to explain expected vision changes and available treatment options without substantially increasing chair time.
Dr. Bishop and her coauthors disclosed that they are employees of Johnson & Johnson.
Beyond Efficacy of DOT Spectacle Lenses
Several abstracts were presented in Anaheim on diffusion optics technology (DOT) lenses, and data is now moving beyond efficacy to show quality of vision, adherence to use, and subjective experiences of children who use the lenses. SightGlass reports that 97% of children adapt to DOT lenses within 2 to 3 days, which is comparable to single-vision lenses. They also report that most patients exceeded the 10-hour wear time instructions. Clinicians shouldn’t overstate adaptation and can encourage full-time wear as they would with single-vision lenses, the company says.
DOT lenses are not yet available in the United States.
Be Proactive to Prevent Contact Lens Dropout
The Contact Lens Institute presented data that confirmed the profitability of contact lenses over spectacle lenses in a new report that debuted at the American Academy of Optometry in Anaheim. Professor Philip Morgan, PhD, MCOptom, of the University of Manchester and Professor Lyndon Jones, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, of the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo explained the findings at events throughout the week: Among 20 optometric practices and 600 patients around the United States, the researchers found that, over 4 years, spherical and toric contact lenses increased profitability by 80% when compared with single vision and progressive spectacle lenses. Multifocal contact lenses were also 30% more profitable than single vision and progressive spectacle lenses. Even increasing contact lens fitting by a small percent can substantially increase overall profit, they said.
The biggest takeaways Professors Morgan and Jones explained were that practices now have an economic reason to encourage contact lens wear in addition to the benefits the lenses have for patients’ vision. They added that clinicians shouldn’t see patients as either contact lens wearers or glasses wearers, but should instead present all the available options and allow the patient to decide what’s best for them and their lifestyle.
To combat dropout soon after the initial fitting, they suggested that staff can assist with addressing handling issues, and can help ODs check in regarding any vision problems, as well as understanding the patient’s motivation for trying contact lenses. To prevent dropout in long-term wearers, address dryness and discomfort by introducing new technology, which also helps when reintroducing contact lenses to patients who previously dropped out but want to try again. Understanding why their previous contact lenses didn’t work for them and how long ago they last tried can point ODs in the right direction.
Regardless of whether the patient is trying contact lenses for the first time, they’re at risk of dropping out, or they’re coming back after a time away from contact lens wear, ODs should proactively communicate and check in with patients to head off dropout, Professors Morgan and Jones concluded.