• WaveFront Dynamics announced the commercial launch of its aberrometry measurement system, the WaveDyn Vision Analyzer. The system captures a video of the eye’s dynamic optical system over time rather than producing a single measurement. The analyzer’s high resolution, dynamic measurement capabilities provide accurate, objective refractions as well as ocular surface quality and accommodative function analysis, the company says. The system provides nine ocular measurements to streamline workflow that include: dynamic wavefront aberrometry, objective refraction, dynamic corneal topography, corneal surface irregularity, keratometry, dynamic iris image, pupil dynamics, subjective refraction confirmation and accommodation range measurement. At the core of Wavefront Dynamics’ is the Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor that creates high-definition wavefront images.

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a lower-than-expected 1.1% average cut of 2024 reimbursement rates for health insurers that offer coverage through the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, Reuters reported. Insurers maintained the government was cutting reimbursement rates by too much for them to adequately serve older people enrolled in their plans. CMS said it anticipates a payment increase for MA plans of 3.32% from 2023 to 2024, which is approximately a $13.8 billion increase in MA payments for next year. The CMS also stated that the Biden-Harris Administration has also proposed policies to strengthen the MA managed care program that will hold health insurance companies to higher standards that includes addressing problematic prior authorization (PA) practices that prevent timely access to needed care. The American Medical Association praised CMS’ new final rule and provisions toward right-sizing the PA process imposed by MA plans on medical services and procedures. The organization says the provisions will ensure greater continuity of care, improve the clinical validity of coverage criteria, increase transparency of health plans’ PA processes and reduce care disruptions due to prior authorization requirements. For more information, the CMS guidance can be found here and the CMS fact sheet can be found here.

• Celanese Corp. entered into an agreement with Glaukos Corp. to supply its VitalDose Drug Delivery Platform for use as a component in Glaukos’ iDose TR, a micro-invasive intraocular implant designed to lower IOP in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. iDose TR is designed to address patient non-adherence and chronic side effects associated with topical medications by providing 24/7, long-duration therapy. Glaukos submitted a new drug application to the FDA for iDose TR in February 2023, which has not yet been approved.

• Nanoscope Therapeutics announced topline results from its Phase 2b multicenter, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled RESTORE clinical trial of MCO-010, an ambient-light activatable multi-characteristic opsin (MCO) optogenetic therapy for vision restoration in advanced retinitis pigmentosa, irrespective of gene mutation. MCO-010 received both orphan drug and fast-track designations from the FDA. Key efficacy outcomes at 12-months were: 16 of 18 (88.9%) MCO-010 treated patients demonstrated a 2 or more luminance level improvement in Multi-Luminance Y-Mobility Test (MLYMT) or Multi-Luminance Shape Discrimination Test (MLSDT) at 12 months compared to four of nine (44.4%) receiving placebo (p <0.05); and 12 of 18 MCO-010 treated patients improved by 2 or more luminance levels in the MLYMT compared to three of nine receiving placebo. For more, see the study results here.

• A new study published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (JCRS) shows advantages of Centricity Vision’s ZEPTO precision pulse capsulotomy technology over continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC or manual capsulorhexis) for capsulotomy creation in white cataracts. Advantages presented include: Reliable creation of complete, consistently round capsulotomies without tags or tears; a highly effective method to quickly decompress and neutralize any potential intralenticular pressure; and no "Argentinian flag" sign, a common complication when performing capsulorhexis in pressurized intumescent cataracts stained with trypan blue. For more, see the study results here.

Quick Notes is published weekly. Unless otherwise noted, the information presented is based on press releases. Find earlier editions here. To submit a press release to be considered for publication, click here.