The American Academy of Ophthalmology and eye care nonprofit Research to Prevent Blindness awarded grants to four researchers Sept. 1 in support of population-based studies on ophthalmology and blindness research.

Amherst, N.Y.-based Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare performed its 10,000th successful procedure, Niagara Frontier Publications reported. 

Oceanside, N.Y.-based OCLI Vision has added Philadelphia-based Keystone Eye Associates to its network.

Ophthalmologists expect to see a large growth in new technology and surgical offerings, recruitment challenges and continued consolidation of practices over the next five years.

Eye Health America acquired a Fort Myers, Fla.-based physician practice with an ASC, the company said Aug. 26. 

Sight Growth Providers expanded into Connecticut through a partnership with Manchester-based Fichman Eye Center and the Laser & Vision Surgery Center, the company announced Aug. 26. 

Ophthalmology has seen one of the highest drops in outpatient volume from June 2019 to 2021, according to a survey from management consulting firm McKinsey & Co. 

From practice openings to new procedures, here are seven ophthalmology updates to know:

Dallas-based eye care network Unifeye Vision Partners recently partnered with two practices in California, expanding the network's footprint in the state.

United Healthcare has removed two contested Avastin biosimilars from two of its policies.

Ophthalmologists are facing profit hurdles because of payer prior authorization requirements and declining reimbursements. 

From reimbursements to staffing, six ophthalmology leaders spoke with Becker's ASC Review on the biggest issues facing the ophthalmology industry today.

Southlake, Texas-based Retina Consultants of America recently expanded into North Carolina with the addition of a nine-office practice to its network.

Sarasota, Fla.-based Center For Sight performed free cataract surgeries for patients below the poverty line, according to an Aug. 11 LinkedIn post. 

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has asked two government agencies to prohibit policies pushing the use of biosimilars to Avastin in Medicare plans.

Two Oklahoma ophthalmologists affiliated with Precision Vision were selected as some of the first surgeons to offer a light-adjusted lens implant to patients.

Christina Rapp Prescott, MD, PhD, has been appointed vice chair for education and director of the cornea service for the department of ophthalmology at NYU Langone Health in New York City.

Engineers and ophthalmologists at Duke University in Durham, N.C., have created a robotic scanner to detect diseases in the eye, according to an Aug. 5 Medical Press report.

Medscape's physician salary explorer tool provides information about physician specialty pay based on years of experience and practice setting.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery are asking Congress to urge Aetna to rescind its prior authorization requirements for cataract surgery.