Can we call 2024 the year of the launch(es)? When perusing through the last 12 months of coverage in the product world, there’s really no other way to phrase it.
From imaging platforms to first-of-their-kind patented devices and technologies—not to mention intraocular lenses (IOLs) and eye drops—2024 made a splash.
With that in mind, we’re here to catch you up on a few of these additions now available in the U.S. market as we enter what will likely be yet another momentous year for commercial launches.
Note: All product names are hyperlinked to their respective Glance coverage.
And take note: This is just a highlights version—see here for all product news from this year.
Where to start?
We’ll begin with the launch of OCULUS, Inc.’s next-generation perimetry product:
OCULUS Easyfield Virtual Reality (VR)
- Launch month: January 2024
What it does: This VR headset is designed to provide visual field (VF) screenings in less than 1 minute as well as visual screenings and medical testing (threshold, ptosis, and esterman VFs).
A unique aspect: OCULUS’s proprietary SMARTracker 2 Fixation Tracking technology for monitoring patient fixation and ensuring continuous eye tracking (for reproducible testing results).
Moving on… let’s talk about a first-of-its-kind device.
You must be talking about CorNeat Vision’s CorNeat EverPatch.
- Launch month: February 2024
What it is: An FDA 510(k)-cleared synthetic and non-degradable tissue substitute designed for use in glaucoma shunt and ocular surface surgeries.
Specifically: This is a scleral path made of a patent, core tissue-integrating material platform called the CorNeat EverMatrix (details here) that combines with surrounding tissue to support the scleral and help in ocular surface reconstruction.
- Where and how to purchase: Click here to order.
Keeping with the theme of scleral …
That leads us to Bausch + Lomb Corporation’s addition to its Zenlens brand of scleral lenses: the Zenlens ECHO.
- Launch month: May 2024
About the brand: These lenses are designed with the company’s proprietary SmartCurve technology to customize the lens shape and fit a wide range of patient parameters.
- This lens: Is a non-prosthetic, custom scleral contact lens technology that fits an array of corneal shapes and sizes, including patients with advanced ocular conditions (i.e., corneal degeneration and specific postop conditions).
Key to its uniqueness: The ECHO lens can be used with clinical practice technologies like a slit lamp and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning, to name a few—plus requires no additional training or certification to fit.
Where and how to purchase: Request ordering details here.
Next up?
RxSight’s Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) +.
- Launch month: April 2024
What it is: An upgrade to the company’s original first and only customizable intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract surgery that’s implanted via a standard cataract procedure and enables surgeons to adjust the lens for a patient over a series of treatments to ensure a ‘customized’ fit.
About this lens: The LAL+ features a:
- Modified aspheric anterior surface
- Provides a small continuous increase in central lens power
- Slight extending of depth of focus
- Provides a small continuous increase in central lens power
- Proprietary ActivShield technology for ultraviolet (UV) protection directly in the lens
Where and how to purchase: Click here to request a quote.
Now, there were quite a few device launches, weren’t there?
Indeed there were. We’ll begin with Reichert Technologies’, a business of AMETEK, Inc., newest addition to its expansive product line: the Tono-Vera Tonometer.
- Launch month: May 2024
What it is: A lightweight, calibration-free, handheld tonometer for providing fast, automated, and (ideally) reliable intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements via a rebound tonometer technology.
- Its unique components: no need for topical anesthetics and a design that enables automatic measurements when aligned.
Read about its integration of Reichert’s ActiView Positioning System, which provides quick access to the apex of the corner for IOP readings (among other capabilities).
- Where and how to purchase: Click here to request a quote.
What’s next?
Quantel Medical SAS’s rollout of the POCKET III, a next-generation, handheld ultrasound pachymeter.
- Launch month: May 2024
What it is: This 510(k)-cleared lightweight device (just 60 grams—notably the lightest on the market) is designed to easily and accurately measure corneal thickness to an accuracy of ± 5 µm—including both central measurement and corneal mapping.
- What it does: Quite simply, it collects IOP measurements.
Its uniqueness: With a probe design that enables perpendicular positioning on the cornea, the device features a 30 MHz probe for an extended and precise measurement range (150 – 1,200 µm).
- Where and how to purchase: Contact the company here.
Speaking of handheld devices …
ZEISS Medical Technology (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) also launched a new lens extraction technology: the MICOR 700 from ZEISS, its latest addition to the company’s cataract solutions portfolio.
- Launch month: September 2024
What it is: The first hand-held lens removal device with ultrasound-free operation that’s intended to provide gentle lens extraction and be used during the ZEISS NULEX (non-ultrasonic lens extraction) procedure.
- Learn about its disposable “plug-and-play” system for surgical efficiency.
What it comes with: A tip designed for greater sensitivity (compared to standard phaco tips) when in contact with surrounding tissue as well as the utilization of a patented crystalline lens extraction technology called “cavitation-free oscillation.”
Where and how to purchase: Click here to request a quote.
Next up: imaging.
You bet. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Visoinix USA’s second product in its line of fundus imaging cameras: the VX 610.
- Launch month: August 2024
What it is: A compact, non-mydriatic automated fundus camera featuring a trio of automated capabilities (auto alignment, autofocus, and autocapture) designed to streamline the imaging process and minimize errors.
Its unique features include a 45° field of view and 90° mosaic function, as well as:
- Cross-polarized light technology (for high-quality imaging)
- Early automatic detection (of 13+ retinal pathologies)
Where and how to purchase: Click here to request a quote.
Moving on to … dry eye.
We’ll take it back 6 months to Nordic Pharma, Inc.’s launch of a novel dry eye therapy: the LACRIFILL Canalicular Gel.
- Launch month: June 2024
What it is: A 501(k)-cleared patented therapy device derived from cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) and indicated to temporarily block tear drainage by occlusion of the canalicular system.
- How: Via an in-office administered, customizable procedure that enables patients’ eyes to be “bathed in their own natural tears.”
Important to note: LACRIFILL also has an established CPT reimbursement code (68761)—plus is indicated for up to 6 months of use in patients with dry eye symptoms.
Where and how to purchase: Click here to contact the company for pricing.
Keep the dry eye coming …
Not to be outdone, BioTissue, Inc. introduced its latest cryopreserved amniotic membrane (CAM) solution: the CAM360 AmnioGraft (AG).
- Launch month: June 2024
What it is: This ringless CAM requires no refrigeration (read up on the company’s proprietary SteriTrek technology that enables this) and is marketed as the only hydrated CAM to provide three key properties for ocular use: anti-inflammatory, anti-scarring, and anti-angiogenic.
- What it does: Essentially, it’s designed to reduce DED symptoms and support epithelial adhesion, differentiation, and promote corneal nerve regeneration (see the data on it).
Where and how to purchase: Click here to contact the company.
Very cool! Anything else in the dry eye realm?
Oh yes indeed … enter Bausch + Lomb’s novel dry eye supplement: Blink NutriTears.
First, the bigger picture: This is the company’s first new addition to the Blink product line of eye and contact lens drops since acquiring it from Johnson & Johnson Vision in 2023.
Now, what it is: A daily nutritional supplement composed as a softgel capsule developed with a proprietary blend of ingredients found to target dry eye symptoms.
- What it treats: The root causes of dry eye (and promotes healthy tear production).
- See the supporting clinical data.
Where and how to purchase it: Click here for pricing.
And while we’re on the subject of ocular surface disease …
We may as well tell you about Lumibird Medical’s ocular surface disease (OSD)-targeted imaging platform: OMNICAD.
- Launch month: September 2024
What it is: An imaging platform featuring artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for OSD diagnosis that operates based on clinically-validated images of:
- Blinks
- Tear stability
- Lipid layer
- Tear meniscus
- Standard transillumination meibography
Its unique components (read up on each):
- Exclusive meibography
- Two meibography images obtainable with just one click
- High imaging quality
- HD touch screen that’s 2x more pixels than standard
- AI algorithms
- Software-embedded AI that automatically detects, quantifies, and classifies diseases into a report
Where and how to purchase it: Click here for pricing options.
Any other digital launches?
Beyeonics had some major news with the launch of its Beyeonics One ophthalmic microscope.
- Launch month: October 2024
What it is: The first fully digital ophthalmic microscope with infrared night-vision technology.
- What it does: Assists ophthalmic surgeons in viewing a magnified, 3D image of the surgical field to provide enhanced visualization and on-demand preoperative info that’s accessible and controlled via an immersive, artificial reality (AR)-based surgical headset.
This infrared component: Reduces both patient eye strain and discomfort to create a clear visual pathway through dense cataracts, hemorrhages, and cloudy corneas.
Where and how to purchase it: Click here for information.
Next up: ocular inflammation treatment from a familiar name.
Familiar indeed … that would be Harrow’s recent relaunch of TRIESENCE (triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension) 40 mg/mL.
- (Re)launch month: October 2024
What it is: A preservative-free synthetic corticosteroid indicated for visualization during vitrectomy and to treat ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids.
- Some background: Harrow acquired the U.S. rights to the drug in 2023 after it had previously been placed on the FDA Drug Shortage List (in which it suffered 2 years of inventory depletion).
Where and how to purchase it: Click here for details.
I noticed there haven’t been any notable eye drops …
On the contrary! We’ve got three honorable mentions to tell you about.
First up: Viatris’s RYZUMVI (phentolamine ophthalmic solution) 0.75%
- Launch month: April 2024
What it is: This antimicrobial, preservative-free topical eye drop formulation is indicated to treat pharmacologically-induced mydriasis produced by adrenergic agonists or parasympatholytic agents.
- In other words: It’s indicated for reversal of mydriasis (RM).
How it does this: Via the active ingredient of phentolamine, which works to reversibly bind the alpha-1 adrenergic receptors on the iris dilator muscle—potentially resulting in a reduction of the pupil diameter.
- And how long it takes to work: Generally within 30 to 90 minutes after administration.
- See its prescribing information for recommended dosages.
Where and how to purchase: Check out these authorized distributors.
How about that second eye drop mention?
This one is geared more towards ocular allergy relief: OCuSOFT’s OCuSOFT Retaine Allergy.
- Launch date: August 2024
- What it is: A prescription-strength antihistamine eye drop that provides ocular symptom relief from an allergic reaction (i.e., allergic conjunctivitis) due to a variety of culprits.
- How soon it works: Generally within minutes after administration.
Why it’s unique: The drop is formulated with an olopatadine hydrochloride (HCl) ophthalmic solution, USP 0.2%, which is typically used to decrease inflammation and redness within the eye by blocking the release of histamine chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.
Where and how to purchase: See pricing.
And the third?
Our next one is a double-dipper of sorts—and by that we mean both an approval and launch.
At the beginning of the year, Formosa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and AimMax Therapeutix, Inc. received FDA approval for clobetasol propionate ophthalmic suspension 0.05% (APP13007).
What it is: A novel aqueous nanosuspension formulation containing corticosteroid clobetasol propionate (0.05%) and indicated to treat postoperative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery.
- Its dosing schedule: Twice daily (BID) for 14 days
Note: While those aforementioned companies developed the formulation, Eyenovia owns the U.S. exclusive rights.
As such: In September 2024, the company officially launched clobetasol propionate to the U.S. market.
Where and how to purchase: TBD
Nice! Now for the grand finale … tell me about this year’s newest contact lenses.
We’ll start with Bausch + Lomb’s newest addition to its INFUSE brand of contact lenses: INFUSE One-Day for Astigmatism.
- Launch month: June 2024
What it is: A daily disposable contact lens with silicone hydrogel (SiHy) and featuring next-gen material (kalifilcon A) that incorporates a high overall moisture (55%) with a low modulus (0.5 MPa) for optimal patient comfort.
- See what these lenses are “infused” with (including its moisturizing ingredients).
Where and how to purchase: Click here for details.
Next up?
To round out the year, Alcon, Inc. introduced two new contact lenses.
First: PRECISION7, a one-week replacement contact lens that provides 16 hours of comfort.
- Launch month: November 2024
What it is: As the latest addition to the Alcon WaterInnovations contact lens portfolio, this weekly lens is marketed as being “closest to a daily disposable lens” with a serafilcon A lens material and 55% lens water content.
What makes it unique:
- The lens features built-in proprietary replenishing agents that are continually released to moisturize the surface for seven days.
- For the first time for Alcon, PRECISION7 will simultaneously be available in both sphere and toric lenses
Where and how to purchase: The lens is currently available for select eyecare professionals (ECPs) in the United States—and will be launched more broadly in January.
And Alcon’s second contact lens launch?
We give you: TOTAL30 for Astigmastim with expanded parameters.
- Launch month: November 2024
What it is: Joining the company’s TOTAL30 portfolio of reusable monthly lenses featuring two key patient comfort-focused technologies, the astigmatism lens consists of a lehfilcon A lens material with a 55% core water content.
- Learn about its unique and patented PRECISION BALANCE design.
About these expanded parameters: The lens now offers a 2.75D cylinder—bringing its total number of parameters to 4,596 (wow!).
Where and how to purchase it: Click here for that info.
That’s quite the list.
Indeed it is. And to think: we haven’t even gotten started on 2024 FDA approvals (click here for those).