From a new fixed-dose combination therapy for glaucoma to a novel smart contact lens able to monitor IOP, these are the news stories and studies that caught our attention this week…
Quality and Outcomes for ECP. EyeCare Partners (ECP) recently released its first ever Quality and Outcomes Report. Based on over 2.4 million patient encounters and over 260,000 surgeries, the report spotlights the high incidence (94 percent) of cataract surgery patients achieving 20/40 vision or better for the company. Other details include the consolidation of over six million patient records by EyeCare Partners Innovation Center (EPIC), as well as the launch of a new clinical data warehouse; ECP’s participation in over 500 clinical trials last year (looking at diseases such as glaucoma, AMD, and corneal edema); impressive Net Promoter Scores for ECP of +84 in optometry and +89 in ophthalmology; the launch of ECP’s Refractive Cataract Anterior Segment Fellowship to further develop the ophthalmology workforce. Link
Novel fixed-dose combination for glaucoma. Qlaris Bio has announced the development of a preservative-free fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapy for glaucoma. The therapy combines Qlaris’ QLS-111 with latanoprost, and is being developed for the treatment of ocular hypersension and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), as well as for normal tension glaucoma when intraocular pressure (IOP) controls remain unachievable because of the need for lower episcleral venous pressure (EVP). In the US, EVP – the main target of QLS-111 – is the only component of IOP not currently addressed by any other approved treatments. Barbara Wirostko, Chief Medical Officer of Qlaris Bio, commented: “A fixed-dose combination simplifies treatment regimens and, with the strong safety and additive efficacy profile of QLS-111, may offer an important option for patients requiring further IOP lowering.” Link
Evidence gaps in AI-enabled eye care. A recent scoping review of regulator-approved artificial intelligence (AI) models in eye care has found that evidence of AI as a medical device (AIaMD) varies widely, with limited data about the devices’ effectiveness in real-world settings. The npj Digital Medicine-published study, led by researchers at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (IoO) and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, examined the characteristics and regulatory approvals of ophthalmic image analysis AIaMDs in three jurisdictions – the EU, Australia, and the US – to determine areas of improvement and what best practice might look like globally for the devices. Lead author Ariel Ong said, “We must hold AI tools to the same high standards of evidence as any medical test or drug.” Link
Eyes wide shut. A new Microsystems & Nanoengineering study has presented a stretchable bimodal contact lens (BCL) capable of monitoring intraocular pressure (IOP) and eye movements (EM), even when a patient’s eyes are closed. The device integrates two sensing units into a biocompatible, wireless lens that conforms to the corneal surface. Validated in rabbit models and human participants, the BCL demonstrated high sensitivity and exceptional accuracy in tracking eye movements, exceeding 97 percent in both open- and closed-eye experiments. The smart contact lens could revolutionize how clinicians monitor eye health in the future, the authors say, offering a promising non-invasive solution for continuous ophthalmic monitoring, with potential applications in glaucoma management and neuro-ophthalmology. Link
