EssilorLuxottica Joins the AOA’s Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety
June 30, 2021
Invision Magazine - EssilorLuxottica announced its commitment to the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (APS) with an annual investment of $450,000 that will support legislative efforts that increase patient access to care and protect the integrity of the doctor-patient relationship. Rick Gadd, President of Essilor North America, and Fabrizio Uguzzoni, President of Luxottica Wholesale, Americas, shared the news of EssilorLuxottica’s role as a lead sponsor to the association’s House of Delegates during Optometry’s Meeting.
Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act proposed by Burgess
June 4, 2021
The Ripon Advance - U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) last month introduced a bipartisan bill to modernize the verification process for contact lens prescriptions, which are worn by an estimated 45 million Americans. “This bill will maintain consumers’ freedom while ensuring that physicians can verify their patients’ prescriptions,” said Rep. Burgess.
Members of Congress introduce bill to improve contact lens safety
June 2, 2021
Healio - Members of the House and Senate introduced bipartisan legislation intended to improve online contact lens sale practices. The Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act (HR 3352), introduced by U.S. Representatives Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.), Michael C. Burgess, MD (R-Texas), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and David B. McKinley (R-W.Va.), would make purchasing contact lenses online easier and safer, ban the use of robocalls to verify patient information and ensure that protected medical information sent over email is encrypted, according to a press release from Rush’s office.
Alliance for Patient Safety Applauds Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act Reintroduction
May 21, 2021
Invision Magazine - Bipartisan Legislation to Modernize the Contact Lens Prescription Verification and Increase Patient Safety Introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Rush (IL-1), Burgess (TX-26), Blunt Rochester (Delaware) and McKinley (WV-1).
Alliance for Patient Safety chair talks contact lenses and the FTC
January 15, 2021
Optometry Times - Chief Optometric Editor Ben Casella, OD, FAAO, talks with Deanna Alexander, OD, FAAO, chair of the Alliance for Patient Safety, about recent changes from the FTC on contact lenses.
House committee requests delay of Contact Lens Rule
January 04, 2021
Healio - The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations requested that the Federal Trade Commission delay the effective date for the Contact Lens Rule until March 31, 2021.
APS welcomes Alcon, reflects on year of advocacy successes
December 1, 2020
American Optometric Association - Despite a challenging year amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (APS) served as an advocacy force in contact lens and patient safety debates, en route to gaining new support from a global eye care leader.
Alcon Joins Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety
December 2, 2020
Vision Monday - The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (APS) announced Alcon, a global leader in eyecare, as its newest member. “APS partners and patient safety advocates are excited to have Alcon join our effort to advance patient safety and strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, which is the foundation of personalized health care,” said Deanna Alexander, OD, chairwoman of APS. “As a leader in eyecare, Alcon’s voice will be instrumental in our effort to advance policies that surround patient safety.”
Alliance for Patient Safety Says It's ‘Encouraged’ by Senate’s Scheduled Markup of Contact Lens Rule Modernization Act
November 12, 2020
Vision Monday - The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (APS) said this week that it is pleased by a U.S. Senate committee’s move to schedule a markup of the Contact Lens Rule Modernization Act. The markup will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 18, the APS announcement noted. The committee reviewing the proposed legislation is the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which is chaired by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) with ranking member Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). The “modernization” bill is being proposed as a way to counter some of the controversial components of the recently announced and updated Contact Lens rule from the Federal Trade Commission.
Patient Safety Advocates Encouraged by Contact Lens Rule Modernization Act’s Scheduled Markup in the U.S. Senate
November 12, 2020
Invision - The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (APS) applauded the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) for scheduling the markup of the Contact Lens Rule Modernization Act. The markup will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.
The bill, which has bipartisan support, protects patients by requiring sellers of contact lenses to use either written electronic communication or a live phone call to properly verify a contact lens prescription. Currently, sellers most commonly use robocalls to verify contact lens prescriptions, a practice that can lead to patients receiving lenses other than those prescribed by their eye care provider. Multiple studies show the use of nonprescribed and unverified contact lenses — Class II or Class III medical devices — can result in serious and potentially blinding eye health events, including keratitis, corneal scarring, corneal ulcers, and infection.