OWL’S ‘WISE WINGS’ TAKES FLIGHT
New program helps members connect
At the Eyecelerator meeting in May, Patricia Buehler, MD, MPH, won the Winning Pitch Challenge for her Ziplyft device (tinyurl.com/2vzr2dcu ). While standing on the stage accepting the first-place prize, she saw a familiar face — Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, who she recently met through the Ophthalmic World Leaders’ (OWL) Wise Wings Program.
“When my company won the award, it was great to see Dr. Matossian in the audience, someone who was supportive of me,” says Dr. Buehler, managing partner at Infocus Eye Care and co-founder of Osheru in Bend, Ore. “It just meant the world to have met her in person at that event.”
SPREAD YOUR WINGS AS A WISE OWL
In April, OWL launched its Wise Wings Program, an initiative designed to assist new members in becoming confident and active participants in the OWL community and ophthalmology community as a whole. As part of the program, an experienced OWL member is invited to become a “Wise Owl” for a one-year period. During this time, they take a new member under their wing — whether that be inviting them to a Zoom call, a local meeting (where possible) or an upcoming OWL event.
“OWL’s Membership Impact Committee came up with the idea to ask our more experienced, connected members to take a newer member under their wing — particularly at the larger eye-care events,” says Gaynor Fries, OWL’s executive director. “For those new to OWL or to eye care, attending an OWL event with 300 people in a room can be overwhelming. Having someone you have been connected with to accompany you at the event and introduce you to some good folks takes the intimidating part out of that process.”
According to Ms. Fries, there are no formal requirements to become a Wise Owl other than to be willing to connect with newer members whenever it makes sense. The pairing between the Wise Owl and the new member, she says, can also extend beyond the year for as long as both participants want and find it valuable.
Wise Owls are selected by an application process whereby OWL “Champions” and longtime OWL members are then connected to newer members. “So far, we are thrilled with the wonderful response received to that ask,” says Ms. Fries.
MAKING CONNECTIONS FOR LIFE
For Dr. Matossian and Dr. Buehler, who were connected through the program, the timing was serendipitous. “We met virtually prior to ASCRS and then met in person for the first time there,” says Dr. Matossian. “After winning the Winning Pitch Challenge, Dr. Buehler reached out to me and asked if I could help identify several oculoplastic specialists to whom she could introduce her new invention. Fortunately, I was able to help her with her request. Being a part of the Wise Wings program provided Dr. Buehler with an opportunity to quickly expand her network of colleagues.”
Another beneficial aspect of this program is its flexibility. “Being a Wise Owl is not time-consuming,” says Dr. Matossian. “It’s something that can happen as a dialogue in an e-mail or through a virtual call when there’s a need. For me, this program has created a new lifelong relationship.”
For Dr. Buehler, Dr. Matossian was a guiding force in helping her to move her invention forward.
“Having Dr. Matossian introduce me to key opinion leaders in oculoplastics, and having them guide us with product design and our pilot study has been helpful,” Dr. Buehler says. “Making connections is key, and this program really accelerates that. OWL couldn’t have matched me with a better person than Dr. Matossian.
“Interestingly, both of us are not at the beginning of our careers, but we have run successful practices and have become entrepreneurs on the side. Dr. Matossian is also an entrepreneur who founded GPOphtho, a purchasing group to make it easier for ophthalmologists to run their practices. GPOphtho connects ophthalmologists to great companies and offers them a discounted rate. It has been a great privilege to get to know Dr. Matossian, who is such a positive influence on women in ophthalmology. Even after this program, we’ll continue to stay friends.”
For more information on this program, visit www.owlsite.org/owl-champions/the-wise-wings-program . OM
IN THE NEWS
The FDA approved Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’ EYLEA HD (aflibercept) Injection 8 mg for the treatment of patients with wet AMD, diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). The recommended dose for EYLEA HD is 8 mg (0.07 mL of 114.3 mg/mL solution) every 4 weeks (monthly) for the first 3 months across all indications, followed by 8 mg every 8 to 16 weeks (2 to 4 months) in wet AMD and DME and every 8 to 12 weeks (2 to 3 months) for DR.
Eyenovia Inc. entered into an agreement with Formosa Pharmaceuticals whereby Eyenovia acquired the exclusive US rights to distribute and sell APP13007 (clobetasol propionate ophthalmic nanosuspension, 0.05%), which is currently under review by the FDA. The agency assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date for APP13007 of March 4, 2024.
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals’ XDEMVY (lotilaner ophthalmic solution) 0.25% is now available at pharmacies nationwide for prescription. The FDA approved XDEMVY on July 24 for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis. It is the only FDA-approved treatment to directly target Demodex mites, the root cause of Demodex blepharitis. XDEMVY is a prescription eyedrop that is administered with one drop in each eye twice daily (approximately 12 hours apart) for 6 weeks.
Apellis Pharmaceuticals provided an update on SYFOVRE injection kits supplied by Apellis. As part of the comprehensive investigation into the real-world safety events, internal structural variations were identified in the specific 19-gauge x 1.5-inch filter needle included in certain injection kits. The company recommends practitioners immediately discontinue use of any injection kits that contain the 19-gauge filter needle and use injection kits with the 18-gauge filter needle, which are already in distribution.
The FDA is warning consumers not to purchase and to immediately stop using Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops - Eye Repair due to bacterial contamination, fungal contamination or both. Dr. Berne’s products are distributed by Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products; LightEyez’ products are distributed by LightEyez Limited. Patients who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection should talk to their health-care professional or otherwise seek medical care immediately.
Amber Ophthalmics announced that Dr. Mark S. Gorovoy from Gorovoy M.D. Eye Specialists enrolled the first patient in the AMB-01-006 (NEXPEDE-1) study, a randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled Phase 2/3 clinical trial designed to evaluate two concentrations of Nexagon (lufepirsen ophthalmic gel) for the treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defects. The primary endpoint for the study will be complete corneal healing as determined by corneal fluorescein staining.
A new study published in Neurology found that eye scans can detect signs of Parkinson’s disease up to 7 years before diagnosis. The study identified markers of Parkinson’s in eye scans with the help of AI, and confirmed previous reports of a significantly thinner ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer, while for the first time finding a thinner inner nuclear layer. It further found that a reduced thickness of these layers was associated with increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, beyond that conferred by other factors or comorbidities.
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