Volume 7, Issue 2│January 13, 2023
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Editor's Note: The IOA will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. |
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Announcing the 2023 IOA CE Series
Registration is now open for 6-hour TQ courses on March 5, 2023, in Rosemont, IL, and March 19, 2023, in Alsip, IL.
Sunday, March 5, 2023 | Rosemont, IL
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm - 6 hrs TQ CE
Course: "New Technology Applications, Dry Eye Diagnosis & Management, and What’s New In Contact Lenses"
Speaker: Mile Brujic, OD
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Sunday, March 19, 2023 | Alsip, IL
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm - 6 hrs TQ CE
Course: "Maximizing Therapeutics and Imaging in the Management of Ocular Disease: What’s New and What’s Next?"
Speaker: Jessica Steen, OD
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September 28-October 1, 2023 - IOA Annual Meeting
Renaissance Schumburg 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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SCO State Day 2023
Dr. Jon & Dr. Maya Reid attended Southern College of Optometry’s 2023 State Day this week. The event offers students the opportunity to learn about what it’s like to practice in a state, the scope of practice in each state, and about the IOA. Dr. Jon & Dr. Maya also had dinner with seven SCO students interested in practicing in Illinois after graduation. Dr. Reid noted that the optometry students were very excited about the prospect of scope expansion in Illinois. Thank you to Dr. Maya & Dr. Jon Reid for representing Illinois at SCO!
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The Southwestern IL Optometric Society held their first meeting of 2023 at Bella Milano in Edwardsville. Dr. Jason Pingel of Johnson & Johnson presented on Acuvue Oasys 1 day Max
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The Mid-State Optometric Society held a society meeting at Loukinens in Springfield. The dinner was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and featured a presentation by Dr. Heather Webster. |
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As many of you saw, the Today Show aired a segment featuring an ophthalmologist focused on myths about eye health. They egregiously started the segment by perpetuating myths about the profession of optometry, undermining the breadth of care our doctors deliver.
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Do you know an outstanding AOA member?
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FTC Proposes Rule to Ban Noncompete Clauses: What ODs Should Know
A proposed rule banning employers’ use of noncompete clauses could have ramifications for doctors of optometry and practices as the AOA seeks to assess and provide more information.
On Jan. 5, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published its proposed rule that would prohibit employers from using noncompetes on workers, also applying to independent contractors and anyone working for the employer, whether paid or unpaid. Moreover, employers would be required to rescind existing noncompetes and notify workers with a compliance deadline occurring six months after the publication date of any final rule.
The proposed rule would not apply to contract provisions that are explicitly drafted as noncompete provisions but extends to any contract provision that functions as a de facto noncompete agreement by prohibiting a covered worker from seeking or accepting employment with a competitor after the employment or contract ends. The FTC says such rule would not apply to other employment restrictions, like nondisclosure agreements; however, these provisions might be subject should they be so broad to function as a noncompete.
A 60-day public comment period will open soon, and legal challenges are expected. Employers are encouraged to prepare nonetheless by identifying such agreements and seeking legal counsel where necessary.
The AOA will provide more information as the rulemaking process unfolds.
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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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IOA/AOA Membership Renewal Update
2023 membership invoices have been mailed out, so members should begin receiving invoices soon! Those on a recurring monthly or quarterly payment do not need to respond as your payment schedule will be automatically renewed.
On September 30, 2022, the IOA Board of Directors voted to keep IOA membership dues at the same rate as 2022. Likewise, the AOA Board of Directors did not issue a dues increase, so IOA/AOA membership fees will remain the same in 2023.
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2023 Dues Contest - Time is Running Out
Pay membership dues in full by 1/31/2023 and be entered into a drawing to win FREE registration to the 2023 IOA Annual Meeting in Schaumburg, Illinois! This includes your registration for the meeting and all CE testing fees associated with your registration but does not include hotel reservations.
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Report illegal and unsafe contact lens sales to the FDA & FTC
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1/25/2023: South Suburban Optometric Society CE (POSTPONED - new date will be announced soon)
2/8/2023: Fox Valley Optometric Society CE (details coming soon!)
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Check out the newest IOA classifieds here!
Full Time Position in the Chicago Suburbs ( Read more)
Fill in OD maternity coverage between March 26th and May 8th (Read more)
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Participate in Community Events
If you operate your own practice, attending community events virtually and/or in person, where your target audience will likely be, is a great way to network. Meet fellow business owners and prospective customers while promoting your practice.
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Legislation Guaranteeing Paid Leave for Employees Passes Illinois General Assembly
The Daily Herald reports that a bill guaranteeing 40 hours of paid leave per year for all Illinois workers passed both chambers of the General Assembly on Tuesday. Under the new law, employees will begin to earn paid leave on their first day at a rate of one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours for the year. The law allows the worker to begin using their time after 90 days, but an employer may allow them to use it sooner. Workplaces would still be able to require their employees to provide notice before taking time off, and the paid leave would carry over if it is not used by the end of the year. The bill will go into effect on January 1, 2024.
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General Assembly Sworn In; Leadership Teams Announced for House
KWQC reports that the 103 rd General Assembly was sworn in on Wednesday, January 11. The 2022 election cycle “sent several lawmakers out the door and many statehouse veterans decided to retire.” Amid the turnover, Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Lemont) expressed a desire for their colleagues to work in a bipartisan manner to create a better Illinois. Curran stated that “everyone should focus on solutions as Illinois families and businesses face many challenges.” The Illinois House saw 20 new representat ives sworn in and the first woman ever elected to lead a House caucus – Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Murphysboro) as the House Republican Leader. The following have been announced as the leadership teams for the 103rd General Assembly in the House of Representatives:
House Democratic Leadership Team:
- House Speaker: Emmanuel “Chris” Welch
- Majority Leader Robyn Gabel
- Speaker Pro Tempore and Chief Budgeteer Jehan Gordon-Booth
- Deputy Majority Leader Lisa Hernandez
- Assistant Majority Leader Jay Hoffman
- Assistant Majority Leader Kam Buckner
House Republican Leadership Team:
- House Republican Leader: Tony McCombie
- Deputy Minority Leader: Norine Hammond
- Deputy Minority Leader: Ryan Spain
- Conference Chair: Jeff Keicher
- Assistant Minority Leaders: John Cabello, CD Davidsmeyer, Charlie Meier, Brad Stephens, Mike Marron, Jackie Haas
- Floor Leader: Patrick Windhorst
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Former House GOP Leader, Rep. Jim Durkin Announces Resignation from Illinois House
The Chicago Tribune reports that House GOP Leader Jim Durkin announced he is retiring from the Illinois House after 24 years as an elected official. Durkin spent the last nine years as the House GOP Leader, but announced he would not seek another term as leader after the November 8 election. Durkin cited his most significant legislative action was to convince state Medicaid regulators to allow Medicaid coverage for continuous glucose monitors and lifting a monthly cap on blood sugar test strips for those with Type 1 diabetes, an issue close to his heart as the father of a daughter with type 1 diabetes. “That to me, is, I would say, one of my best and proudest moments…when you have the ability to serve in this position to get the attention of regulators and explain to them the problem and why it needs to be fixed, that justifies my 24 years that I served in the General Assembly.”
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Pritzker Administration Announces a $500,000 fine for Quartz Health Insurance Corporation for Violation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
Press Release - Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Chicago - The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) announced today a $500,000 fine for Quartz Health Insurance Corporation for violating the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) as revealed in the Department's comprehensive market conduct examination of the company.
MHPAEA is the federal law requiring health insurance plans to have equivalent levels of coverage for mental health and substance use disorder care as for medical or surgical care, and Illinois law further expands upon those requirements.
"With so many of us focused on health and wellness at the beginning of the new year, this is an ideal time to remind health insurance companies about the importance of access to care, particularly for people struggling and seeking treatment for mental health and substance use disorder," said Governor JB Pritzker. "The $500,000 fine signifies our ongoing commitment to protect Illinoisans' rights to equitable healthcare coverage and our intent to hold companies accountable when they violate state and federal laws protecting those rights."
"Creating barriers to mental health and substance use disorder treatment places an additional burden on our fellow Illinoisans who are already struggling," said IDOI Director Dana Popish Severinghaus. "The Department regularly examines the practices of health insurance companies, including adherence to parity laws, and we take seriously any violations. We will not allow companies to jeopardize access to treatment for those in need."
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First Patient Enrolled in Ocuphire Phase 3 Pivotal Trial of Nyxol for Presbyopia
January 9, 2023
The VEGA-2 pivotal trial is investigating Nyxol alone and Nyxol with adjunctive low-dose pilocarpine therapy for the treatment of presbyopia.
Ocuphire Pharma announced today that in later December 2022 the first patient enrolled in the VEGA-2 Phase 3 trial for phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75% (Nyxol) for presbyopia. VEGA-2 is investigating both Nyxol as a single agent and Nyxol with adjunctive low-dose pilocarpine (LDP) therapy for presbyopia.
“2023 promises to be a pivotal year for executing our comprehensive Phase 3 program in presbyopia,” Mina Sooch, MBA, founder and CEO of Ocuphire, said in a statement. “We also recently achieved a major milestone with the submission of the NDA for the first Nyxol indication in reversal of mydriasis (RM). We are excited to add these important accomplishments to our recently closed global license agreement with FamyGen Life Sciences (recently acquired by Viatris [Nasdaq: VTRS]), for the development and commercialization of Nyxol across three indications.”
VEGA-2 is a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, multi-center Phase 3 study. The dual-stage study will evaluate 320 patients with presbyopia. Stage 1 will evaluate 2 groups, treated with either Nyxol or placebo, with approximately 160 subjects per group. Stage 2 will examine 4 groups of approximately 80 patients each. The 4 groups will receive one of the following treatments: Nyxol + LDP, Nyxol + LDP vehicle, placebo + LDP, and placebo + LDP vehicle. Subjects will be recruited from up to 30 investigational sites across the United States.
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Contact Lens Practice, Patients and Pandemic: How Have Priorities Changed?
Samantha Armstrong offers a comparison and contrast of two surveys from different sides – patient and practitioner – in order to identify how priorities have changed since the Covid-19 pandemic
Published: 09/01/2023
Graph: Which eye care protocols and services have been introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic and which of these shall be continued beyond the pandemic5
Changing times
Contact lenses (CLs) and the Covid-19 pandemic; the interaction of these two subjects have been heavily discussed by the vision care industry over the past two years. From an optical industry point of view, it has been a convoluted journey, dealing with huge changes and interpreting guidelines and advice to help enable patients and staff to be kept safe from the virus, while continuing to provide essential optical services to communities. As part of the lockdown restrictions, an understanding of red, amber and green phases, introduced by the College of Optometrists, has been undertaken with practices adapting practically to accommodate ever-changing safety measures. Staff shortages, backlogs of patients and travel restrictions on public transport for commuting, have all been part of a daily concern for many. However, as the country emerges from the grip of the worst of the restrictions, it is vital to understand how public attitudes have changed, how practice processes have changed to accommodate this, and then to question, do the two align?
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NIH Funds Eight Studies to Advance Rapid Diagnosis of COVID-19-Related Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
The National Institutes of Health has awarded eight research grants to refine new technologies for early diagnosis of severe illnesses resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. The new awards follow grants issued in 2020 to foster methods for diagnosing children at high risk for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C(link is external)
), a rare, severe and sometimes fatal after-effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure in children.
“These highly innovative technologies and tools have the potential to greatly improve the care of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection and other fever-causing illnesses,” said Bill Kapogiannis, M.D., of NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), which oversees the grants.
The awards are from NIH’s Predicting Viral-Associated Inflammatory Disease Severity in Children with Laboratory Diagnostics and Artificial Intelligence (PreVAIL kIds) initiative. They are part of the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Radical (RADx-rad) program to support new, non-traditional approaches and reimagined uses of existing tools to address gaps in COVID-19 testing and surveillance.
Although some children develop mild or no symptoms from COVID-19, others will develop more severe effects, including MIS-C, which results in inflammation of one or more organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract.
The 2020 awards supported studies involving more than 7,400 research participants in four countries and yielded prototype methods and techniques for potential use in clinics, emergency departments and for hospital inpatients. These PreVAIL kIds studies were supported through NIH’s RADx-rad initiative and were part of an NIH collaborative research effort called CARING for Children with COVID. Results from these studies include a laboratory technique for detecting specific immune cells associated with MIS-C; databases that help diagnose children at risk for MIS-C and severe COVID-19, based on certain blood proteins and genetic biomarkers; and a database that can distinguish between MIS-C, Kawasaki disease (which has similar symptoms) and fever-causing viral and bacterial infections.
The new awards will allow researchers to continue their efforts to develop ways to rapidly diagnose MIS-C and identify those at risk for serious and long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2. Earlier identification of those most at risk will allow for earlier interventions to prevent severe health effects.
Awardees
- Jane C. Burns, University of California, San Diego
- Diagnosing and predicting risk in children with SARS-CoV-2-related illness
- Cedric Manlhiot, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
- Data science approach to MIS-C identification and management associated with SARS
- Ananth V. Annapragada, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
- AICORE-kids: Artificial intelligence COVID-19 risk assessment for kids
- Audrey R. Odom John, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Diagnosis of MIS-C in febrile children
- Usha Sethuraman, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant
- Severity predictors integrating salivary transcriptomics and proteomics with multineural network intelligence in SARS-CoV2 infection in children
- Juan C. Salazar, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford
- Identifying biomarker signatures of prognostic value for MIS-C
- Charles Yen Chiu, University of California, San Francisco
- Discovery and clinical validation of host biomarkers of disease severity and MIS-C with COVID-19
- Lawrence Kleinman, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- COVID-19 network of networks expanding clinical and translational approaches to predict severe illness in children
RADx is a service mark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov.
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
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THANK YOU TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS! |
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