AAO 2016 Meeting Highlights — Part II

Corrie Pelc

About Author

Our two-part review of last month's 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) continues with a look at some of the new and innovative products and technologies featured during the show.

Dr. Neil Friedman covered highlights from the general program in Part I of our AAO 2016 Review.

(Photo: © 2016 American Academy of Ophthalmology, Todd Buchanan 2016.)

This year's expansive Exhibit Hall featured exhibitors in a wide variety of categories, from acuity charts to website design. To help attendees find the newest exhibitors, AAO conveniently grouped them together in the New Exhibitor Pavilion. The Technology Pavilion featured the latest trends in technology. And there were lots of learning opportunities within the Exhibit Hall through the Learning Lounge and new Product Theater.

The following is a brief look at just a few of the many exciting products and ideas that were on-hand at this year’s AAO meeting.

Pharmaceuticals/Therapies

• Shire plc made a splash at this year's AAO show following U.S. FDA approval of its dry eye treatment Xiidra in July. The company announced results from its National Eye C.A.R.E. survey, that found nearly seven in 10 adults with dry eye feel their symptoms are just something they have to live with.
• Avedro, Inc. was on-hand to talk to attendees about their corneal cross-linking system — using Photrexa® Viscous, Photrexa® and the KXL® System — which received U.S. FDA approval in April. Since then, the system also received FDA approval for a second indication for the treatment of corneal ectasia following refractive surgery.
• ScienceBased Health (SBH) showcased its evidence-based nutraceuticals focused on eye health at this year's show. Founded by eye doctors, SBH's products include HydroEye® for dry eye and Optic Nerve Formula® for protecting the optic nerve.
• Bio-Tissue, Inc. announced the availability of Cliradex® Light at the show. Cliradex Light is a preservative-free, lid, lash and facial cleanser for relieving symptoms of blepharitis and for daily ocular hygiene.
• Global pharmaceutical company Perrigo Company plc held a talk at their AAO booth by Dr. Penny Asbell from Mount Sinai about antibiotic resistance and eye health. Additionally, the company spotlighted its Bacitracin ophthalmic ointment as a therapy for blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and other superficial ocular infections.
• And Imprimis Pharmaceuticals featured its ophthalmic formulations at AAO, including Dropless Therapy, LessDrops and IV Free MKO Melt through an exhibit hall booth, Open House event, and several education sessions.

© 2016 American Academy of Ophthalmology, Todd Buchanan 2016.

Devices/Technology

• Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc. used AAO's 2016 meeting as a way to introduce the U.S. to the VisuMax® Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) procedure — a minimally-invasive corneal refractive procedure performed on the Zeiss VisuMax femtosecond laser. Zeiss received U.S. FDA clearance for this in September.
• For the first time, Bausch + Lomb's AAO booth featured a wet lab, providing attendees an opportunity to "test drive" products to find out which were the best for them and their patients. Surgeons had the opportunity to try out the Stellaris Elite™ platform, VICTUS® femtosecond laser, and many of the company's intraocular lenses (IOLs) and delivery systems. Additionally, B+L introduced the ORBSCAN³ anterior segment analyzer for examining anterior and posterior astigmatism and optical pachymetry.
• The booth for Heidelberg Engineering touted the company's latest offering -- the SPECTRALIS® OCT Glaucoma Module Premium Edition, which received FDA approval in September. The new module adds diagnostic capabilities to the SPECTRALIS OCT imaging platform and uses a new proprietary technology called the Anatomic Positioning System to create an anatomic map unique to each patient’s eye.
• Volk Optical showcased its wide range of ophthalmic lenses, including the Volk®1 Single Use family of lenses. The latest addition to that product line-up is the Volk®1 SLT Lens, which is designed for Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty.
• Ophthalmic equipment designer and manufacturer NIDEK showcased many of its products at AAO 2016. Most recently NIDEK announced both its MP-3 Microperimeter and GYC-500/GYC-500 Vixi Green Scan Laser Photocoagulator received 510(K) clearance from the FDA.
• Stereo Optical featured its latest product, the Optec PLUS Smart Vision Screener — an all-in-one digital screener with an expanded range of tests with limitless customization including protocols, test randomization and auto-mode.
• Global ophthalmic medical device company Quantel Medical was on-hand showcasing its latest products. Quantel most recently introduced the Easyret Photocoagulator Laser for macular and peripheral retinal pathologies to the market.
• DigiSight Technologies, Inc. unveiled its new smartphone-to-smartphone features for Paxos Scope™ — a mobile solution for eye examination and care coordination. With Paxos Scope, health care professionals can use their mobile phone to capture high-resolution anterior segment or retinal photos at the point-of-care, and then securely share and discuss photos with a collaborator or specialist for real-time consultation or referral.
• Precision ophthalmic instrument provider Katena Products was also at AAO's 2016 meeting, following the recent announcement it would be acquiring punctal plug manufacturer Eagle Vision.
• Modernizing Medicine, Inc. showcased its new and expanded ophthalmology suite, modmed Ophthalmology™, designed to improve the clinical, financial and operational aspects of ophthalmology practices.
• Santinelli International, Fashion Optical Displays, FastGrind International, ClearVision Optical and Eschenbach teamed up for AAO to create a first-of-its-kind Dispensing Pavilion to educate attendees on how they can implement a complete lab and dispensary in their own practice.
• ReVision Optics, Inc. showcased its Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay, which received FDA approval this past June. Placed under a femtosecond laser flap, the device is implanted in the cornea of one eye to improve near vision in patients with presbyopia.
• Vmax Vision™ used AAO 2016 to launch its new VASR™ (Voice Activ™ Subjective Refractor) — a patient self-refracting instrument using computer-generated artificial intelligence to guide the patient through the exam process and alerting the doctor if the prescription if not sufficiently accurate.
• Clarity Medical Systems, Inc. showcased upgrades to its HOLOS IntraOp™ Wavefront Aberrometer at the AAO meeting. The new HOLOS Barrett Intraocular Lens Formula™ is an IOL predictor formula that calculates IOL power and adds aphakic data taken at the time of surgery to help surgeons reliably achieve desired refractive outcomes.
• During AAO, Abbott introduced its Tecnis Symfony® Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) for the treatment of cataracts, which the company received FDA approval for in July. Abbott also offers the Tecnis Symfony Toric IOL for patients with astigmatism.
• TearLab was at the show with its TearLab Diagnostic Test for testing tear osmolarity — an important biomarker of ocular surface health. Additionally, TearLab was promoting the recent announcement of its co-promotion agreement with PRN Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals.
• VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc. talked to attendees about its implantable ophthalmic devices and technologies used to improve the vision and quality of life for this with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
• Optovue showcased its suite of advanced eye care technology at its AAO booth, including the AngioVue™ Imaging System and recently introduced AngioVue Retina, which is configured with essential OCT and OCTA features designed for retinal practices.

AAO 2017 will take place Nov. 11 - 14, 2017 in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La. For more information, visit AAO.org/annual-meeting.