PHARMA FOCUS
Simplifying Postoperative LASIK Care
By William F. Wiley, MD
As a means to simplify patients’ medication regimens after LASIK, Dr. Wiley led the evaluation of two proprietary LessDrops compounded formulations, Tri-Moxi (triamcinolone acetonide and moxifloxacin HCl; Imprimis) and Pred-Moxi (prednisolone acetate and moxifloxacin HCl; Imprimis). Dr. Wiley and colleagues found that combining these two classes of medications can reduce the number of patient-administered drops by 50% and that the use of compounded medications reduced the risk of patient-inflicted trauma by decreasing possible contact between the eye dropper and LASIK flap by 50%.
http://www.crstoday.com/2015/08/simplifying-postoperative-lasik-care/
Similar is not equal
By Paul S. Koch, MD
Although cost is often the driving force behind the choice of a generic or follow-on drug that has the same labeled active ingredients as an original drug, Dr. Koch cautions that it is more important to consider the efficacy and safety of these drugs when prescribing them to patients. In his words, “Not all drugs are equal just because they share the same set of active ingredients.”
http://www.crstoday.com/2015/08/similar-is-not-equal/
AESTHETICS
Adding Beauty Services to Your Practice
By Alison Tendler, MD; and Matt Jensen, MBA
Looking for unique ways to interact with your patients? One idea may be to add aesthetics to your practice. Dr. Tendler and Mr. Jensen argue that adding a sampling of these services to your eye care practice can be thought of as transforming how the world sees your patients in addition to how your patients see the world.
http://www.crstoday.com/2015/08/adding-beauty-services-to-your-practice/
The Aesthetics Pyramid
By Kimberly Cockerham, MD
Outlining four tiers of aesthetics (topicals, injectables, collagen induction therapy, and lasers) and how they can be added to your practice, Dr. Cockerham suggests that these services can offer patients a way to have an immediate impact on their appearance and self-esteem. This can be especially important to patients who feel that they have lost control over their medical conditions or feel socially or professionally challenged. n
