Luminopia, Inc. recently announced its FDA-cleared binocular digital therapy platform for amblyopia has received insurance coverage from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Let’s start with this treatment. Tell me about it.
Granted FDA De Novo approval in 2021—and expanded clearance in April—Luminopia is marketed as the first amblyopia therapy with the potential to improve visual acuity (VA) in pediatric patients associated with anisometropia and/or mild strabismus.
How it works: By operating as an alternative prescription-based therapy option (as opposed to eye patches, glasses, and atropine eye drops) for amblyopia.
Specifically …
Luminopia is designed as a virtual reality (VR) platform with a VR headset for patients to wear over their prescribed refractive correction (glasses) while watching streamed therapeutically-modified television shows and movies.
- With 75 options to choose from, these movies/shows are projected at optical infinity while a patient is in a controlled environment (at home).
The duration: Just once a day, six days a week.
What’s the age requirement for use?
Thanks to the FDA’s expanded clearance, the therapy is now indicated for patients aged 4 through 12 with amblyopia associated with anisometropia and/or mild strabismus.
So how does watching television help treat this condition?
The VR headset this media is streamed through is actually projected via a novel dual-action mechanism that incorporates proprietary software algorithms to adjust and present the media differently for each eye—all in real time.
The purpose: To replace the brain’s input and train patients to use both eyes in a binocular manner, effectively resolving their lazy eye condition.
And how long does it take to work?
Real-world data (RWD) reported last year found that patients achieved “significant improvements” in their VA after 12 weeks, with an 83% median treatment adherence.
See here for earlier supportive data on this.
How do ECPs track patients’ progress?
Luminopia offers a digital portal to view patients’ weekly and overall adherence to the treatment
Anything else to keep in mind?
Importantly: The platform should only be used while a patient is wearing their glasses, either lying down or seated.
And patients are advised to immediately stop use and contact their eyecare provider (ECP) for further evaluation if they experience any of the following:
- Worsening vision in either eye
- Headache
- Nausea
- Continuous eye strain
- Dizziness
- Increased night terrors
Noted. Now to insurance coverage.
As a prescription-based therapy, the platform was originally only available through CoAssist Pharmacy, a direct-to-patient digital pharmacy service.
But now: Patients meeting Anthem’s criteria are eligible to have Luminopia covered by their plan.
Nice! Tell me more about this policy.
Per its 2025 benefits plan, Anthem’s vision services cover nonsurgical treatment for amblyopia and strabismus for patients from birth up until age 21 (though Luminopia’s treatment is only cleared for ages 4 to 12).
- Take note: Anthem requires patients to pay 30% of their plan allowance (deductible applies) for “agents, drugs, and/or supplies administered or obtained in connection” with their case.
- Patients under this policy can click here to log in and access their benefits.
Lastly, what’s the significance of this new coverage?
With Anthem as the second largest health plan in the United States, Luminopia’s coverage brings the company “closer to our goal of helping as many amblyopia patients as we can,” stated CEO and co-founder Scott Xiao.