ASCRS This Week - November 9, 2022

Recent Clinical Alerts Brought to You by ASCRS

ASCRS and its physician leadership recently sent two alerts to members that the Society would like to call further attention to and clarify for this community:

ASCRS Consensus Statement on VUITY: This statement provides an overview of Allergan’s updated Prescribing Information for this topical presbyopia treatment, presents a summary of the FDA registration study findings, reviews the literature regarding postmarket experience with VUITY, and summarizes the ASCRS Task Force recommendations. Read the full statement here.
ASCRS Clinical Advisory on Intracameral Moxifloxacin Injection for Infection Prophylaxis: Currently, there are two different concentrations of moxifloxacin available in the U.S. for intracameral (IC) use: 0.5% [5 mg/mL] and 0.1% [1 mg/mL]. The recommended volume to be injected is different for the two concentrations, and incorrect dosing can increase the risk of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) or endophthalmitis. Read the full clinical advisory on optimal dosing of IC moxifloxacin based on current evidence.

Share Your Opinion on the FDA’s LASIK Draft Guidance by Nov. 25

ASCRS is asking its members to voice their opinion on the FDA’s draft guidance on patient labeling recommendations for LASIK lasers. The Society has put together an advocacy toolkit to help members and their patients share their opinions about the draft guidance with the FDA.

In July, the FDA released this draft guidance based on concerns from some patients that are not receiving and/or understanding information regarding the benefits and risks of LASIK devices. ASCRS has major concerns with the FDA’s draft guidance as it is highly biased and misleading to potential patients regarding the high success rate of LASIK surgery.

The ASCRS advocacy toolkit includes background information on the issue, including problematic themes, instructions to share comments with the FDA, and a modifiable letter you can share with patients requesting that they provide input.

Find the full toolkit here (ASCRS member login required) and provide your comments to the FDA by the November 25 deadline. If you have any questions, please contact Brad Gruehn, ASCRS Chief of Government Affairs, at [email protected].

Nominating Committee Accepting Submissions for Executive Board Position

ASCRS is accepting nominations for candidates for Secretary on the ASCRS Executive Board in 2023. This position will have succession responsibilities, including Treasurer, Incoming President, and ultimately 2026 President.

Criteria for consideration of an ASCRS Executive Board member include:

Member in good standing of ASCRS and service to ASCRS
Contributions to scholarly research
Presentations at national/international meetings
Teaching activities
Leadership qualities
Clinical/surgical expertise and reputation
Industry/corporate relations/collaborations

To nominate an ophthalmologist for the position of Secretary on the ASCRS Executive Board, please send an email to [email protected] by November 27, describing how the nominee fits the above criteria and why you are recommending them for this position. A CV may also be attached. Nominations can be for yourself or another member. Per the ASCRS Bylaws, the Nominating Committee will review submissions and present their recommendation(s) to the Executive Board.

EyeWorld Spotlight

During a session at the 2022 AAO Annual Meeting, Christopher Rapuano, MD, and Sonia Yoo, MD, debated the best way to surgically manage recurrent corneal erosions. The audience was polled ahead of the presentations, with 65% indicating that they thought epithelial debridement with diamond burr polishing of Bowman’s layer is better; 25% said that PTK is better. Read this EyeWorld Spotlight that features the presentation highlight on this topic.