Op-ed: Why prior authorization delays are putting patients at risk – the clock is ticking - Yellowhammer News

Southern Eye Congress 2024 has received accreditation. To register for the meeting visit www.southerneyecongress.com

Accreditation Statement for Physicians
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation
requirements and policies of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama through the
joint providership of the Medical Foundation of Alabama and the Alabama Academy of
Eye Physicians and Surgeons. The Medical Foundation of Alabama is accredited by the
Medical Association of the State of Alabama to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Designation Statement
The Medical Foundation of Alabama designates this live activity for a maximum of 13
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate
with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Technicians

This program has been accredited for 12
IJCAHPO CE credits.

Regeneron initiated a precautionary voluntary recall because of incidents of syringe barrel breakage that can occur upon receipt, preparation, or dose delivery.  

Regeneron has not received reports of associated adverse events.

This appears to have affected the six lots listed below. For further information and a full-size copy of the chart, read the Regeneron recall letter (PDF).

If you examine your inventory and have products with a listed lot number, contact recallreturns@regeneron.com for a Return Goods Authorization, retrieval kit, and UPS return label.

The Academy will continue to monitor how this will affect retina and other ophthalmic practices and will update members if there are new developments.

For further questions, contact quality@aao.org.

Effective September 1, 2023, The Alabama Medicaid Agency will increase the reimbursement rates for eye care services listed here.  

HB 349 was heard in the Senate Health Committee on May 17th. Following the introduction of the bill by Representative Garrett, the chair asked for a roll call vote. The bill was voted down 7-6. 

We fully expect this bill to return in 2024. We will have more information on how you can help soon. 

HB349 which would allow optometrists to perform laser surgery and remove lesions from around the eye passed the Alabama House yesterday and heads to the Senate. 

We still believe that surgery should only be performed by trained physicians who have gone to medical school and subsequent residency. We are asking our membership to please contact your senator and voice your concerns over this legislation. You can also send a message directly to your legislator by clicking here.

The Alabama Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons is urging residents of the Yellowhammer State to practice caution when selecting eye drops.

As many as 68 people throughout the country have reported infections linked to the bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, after using contaminated eye drops, according to a news release. The infections have resulted in three deaths and six people having their eyes removed. Before the eye infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa had never been documented in the U.S.

Alabamians warned of contaminated eye drops - Yellowhammer News

Glaucoma does discriminate: Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss, affecting about 3 million people in the United States.(1) But this potentially blinding eye disease does not affect all people equally. During Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, the Alabama Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology is urging people to be screened, especially if you are at increased risk of glaucoma.

Who is at risk?

• African Americans are 6 to 8 times more likely to get glaucoma than white Americans. Blindness from glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than white Americans.(2)

• People with diabetes are 2 times more likely to get glaucoma than people without diabetes.(2)

• Hispanic Americans face an increased risk comparable to African Americans, but the disease may also progress faster as they age, compared with other ethnic groups.(3)

• Asians are at an increased risk for the less common types of glaucoma: angle-closure glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma.(2)

• Also at risk are people over age 40, those who are severely nearsighted, and those who have a family history of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damages the eye’s optic nerve. The optic nerve transmits visual information to the brain, allowing us to see. Because glaucoma often progresses slowly, affecting just peripheral or side vision, people with glaucoma can lose most of their vision before they even experience any symptoms. Central vision, the vision used to read, drive or watch TV, is unaffected until the disease is advanced.

“Just because you think you can see well, doesn’t mean all is well,” said Dianna Seldomridge, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it can’t be regained. That’s why regular screening, especially among those at higher risk for glaucoma, is absolutely vital. When caught early, glaucoma can be treated with eyedrops or an in-office laser treatment. But in advanced cases, surgery may be required to slow the vision loss and prevent further damage.”

For more information about eye health and how to protect your eyes, visit the Academy’s EyeSmart website.

(1) The Future of Vision: Forecasting the Prevalence and Cost of Vision Problems 

(2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(3) Quigley HA, West SK, et al. The prevalence of glaucoma in a population-based study of Hispanic subjects. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119:1819-1826.

Fraudulent emails have been sent to some SEC attendees and vendors claiming that the SEC has been canceled for 2021. This is false. We will meet in person Sept. 16-19, at Sandestin. Find agendas, faculty, room reservation information and more at southerneyecongress.com.