Eyeworld

by Title ASCRS NEWS Heading Name title Contact Name: email 30 | EYEWORLD | DECEMBER 2023 the benchmark for similar healthcare organizations is 81%, so that shows the value that ASOA brings." One initiative that speaks directly to the mission of ASOA is the LEAD (Learn • Engage • Advance • Develop) Certificate program. Developed in partnership with BSM Consulting, a division of VMG Health, this 9-month educa- tional program provides training and resources to facilitate the leadership development of the mid-level managers in the practice. Ms. Rowland said she's been fortunate to have great members and volunteer leadership to work with through her years at ASOA. "Trust, respect, open and honest communication, and commitment to excellence are what I hope I brought to this role during my 12 years at the helm. For me, it's all about relationships. I'm proud of the relationships I've fostered over the years," she said. These include relationships with members, industry, leadership, and the ASOA and ASCRS teams. "Physicians and members of industry recognize the importance of the administrator in decision making and the role they play in the success of their practices. ASOA has positioned itself as a frontrunner in making that happen," she said. "She's been nothing but welcoming and supportive of me taking on this role from the very beginning," Ms. Odell said of Ms. Rowland, adding that the 2023 ASOA Annual Meeting was an opportunity to prepare attendees and lead- ership for the transition. Ms. Odell said she looks forward to bringing her strong work ethic to the Society and is excited about new ideas and opportunities to strengthen it. "The ASOA team has been wonderful. They're all gen- uine, kind, and hardworking so that our members have the best resources and the most relevant and consistent data at their fingertips. It's really about being the go-to association for best practices, mentors, and friends." Ms. Odell said she has enjoyed working with Ms. Rowland and learning about the processes, strategic meet- ings, and the board through this transition. "I still have a lot to learn but already feel supported by the team and board," Ms. Odell said. "I think eyecare is one of the most fascinating specialties, and I am humbled to be part of preserving one of the most important senses that we have. I have found my home in ophthalmology and look forward to this next chapter as the Executive Director of ASOA." BRIEF SUMMARY: Please see the DEXTENZA Package Insert for full Prescribing Information (10/2021) 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE 1.1 Ocular Inflammation and Pain Following Ophthalmic Surgery DEXTENZA ® (dexamethasone ophthalmic insert) is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery (1.1). 1.2 Itching Associated with Allergic Conjunctivitis DEXTENZA ® (dexamethasone ophthalmic insert) is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis (1.2). 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS DEXTENZA is contraindicated in patients with active corneal, conjunctival or canalicular infections, including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, varicella; mycobacterial infections; fungal diseases of the eye, and dacryocystitis. 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 5.1 Intraocular Pressure Increase Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. Steroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. Intraocular pressure should be monitored during the course of the treatment. 5.2 Bacterial Infection Corticosteroids may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard for secondary ocular infections. In acute purulent conditions, steroids may mask infection and enhance existing infection [see Contraindications (4)]. 5.3 Viral Infections Use of ocular steroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex) [see Contraindications (4)]. 5.4 Fungal Infections Fungus invasion must be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where a steroid has been used or is in use. Fungal culture should be taken when appropriate [see Contraindications (4)]. 5.5 Delayed Healing The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation. 5.6 Other Potential Corticosteroid Complications The initial prescription and renewal of the medication order of DEXTENZA should be made by a physician only after examination of the patient with the aid of magnification, such as slit lamp biomicroscopy, and, where appropriate, fluorescein staining. If signs and symptoms fail to improve after 2 days, the patient should be re-evaluated. 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: • Intraocular Pressure Increase [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] • Bacterial Infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] • Viral Infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] • Fungal Infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] • Delayed Healing [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse reactions associated with ophthalmic steroids include elevated intraocular pressure, which may be associated with optic nerve damage, visual acuity and field defects, posterior subcapsular cataract formation; delayed wound healing; secondary ocular infection from pathogens including herpes simplex, and perforation of the globe where there is thinning of the cornea or sclera [see Warnings and Precautions (5)]. 6.2 Ocular Inflammation and Pain Following Ophthalmic Surgery DEXTENZA safety was studied in four randomized, vehicle-controlled studies (n = 567). The mean age of the population was 68 years (range 35 to 87 years), 59% were female, and 83% were white. Forty-seven percent had brown iris color and 30% had blue iris color. The most common ocular adverse reactions that occurred in patients treated with DEXTENZA were: anterior chamber inflammation including iritis and iridocyclitis (10%); intraocular pressure increased (6%); visual acuity reduced (2%); cystoid macular edema (1%); corneal edema (1%); eye pain (1%) and conjunctival hyperemia (1%). The most common non-ocular adverse reaction that occurred in patients treated with DEXTENZA was headache (1%). 6.3 Itching Associated with Allergic Conjunctivitis DEXTENZA safety was studied in four randomized, vehicle-controlled studies (n= 154). The mean age of the population was 41 years (range 19 to 69 years), 55% were female and 61% were white. Fifty seven percent had brown iris color and 20% had blue iris color. The most common ocular adverse reactions that occurred in patients treated with DEXTENZA were: intraocular pressure increased (3%), lacrimation increased (1%), eye discharge (1%), and visual acuity reduced (1%). The most common non-ocular adverse reaction that occurred in patients treated with DEXTENZA was headache (1%). 8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate or well-controlled studies with DEXTENZA in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. In animal reproduction studies, administration of topical ocular dexamethasone to pregnant mice and rabbits during organogenesis produced embryofetal lethality, cleft palate and multiple visceral malformations [see Animal Data]. Data Animal Data Topical ocular administration of 0.15% dexamethasone (0.75 mg/kg/day) on gestational days 10 to 13 produced embryofetal lethality and a high incidence of cleft palate in a mouse study. A daily dose of 0.75 mg/kg/day in the mouse is approximately 5 times the entire dose of dexamethasone in the DEXTENZA product, on a mg/m 2 basis. In a rabbit study, topical ocular administration of 0.1% dexamethasone throughout organogenesis (0.36 mg /day, on gestational day 6 followed by 0.24 mg/day on gestational days 7-18) produced intestinal anomalies, intestinal aplasia, gastroschisis and hypoplastic kidneys. A daily dose of 0.24 mg/day is approximately 6 times the entire dose of dexamethasone in the DEXTENZA product, on a mg/m 2 basis. 8.2 Lactation Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth and interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production; however the systemic concentration of dexamethasone following administration of DEXTENZA is low [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. There is no information regarding the presence of DEXTENZA in human milk, the effects of the drug on the breastfed infant or the effects of the drug on milk production to inform risk of DEXTENZA to an infant during lactation. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for DEXTENZA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from DEXTENZA. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients. 17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Advise patients to consult their eye care professional if pain, redness, or itching develops. Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. Bedford, MA 01730 USA PP-US-DX-0360 continued from page 28

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