Bulletin: Book yourself in for regular eye exams if you are using Tamoxifen

FDA committee considers SYD-101 for pediatric myopia

Editor’s note: This is a developing news story. Please check back soon for updates.
An FDA advisory committee convened on Oct. 30 to discuss SYD-101, a low-dose atropine eye drop that the FDA declined to approve last year for the slowing of pediatric myopia.
SYD-101 (atropine 0.01%, Sydnexis) met its primary endpoint in a phase 3 trial, but the FDA determined that the overall results suggested “limited to no clinical benefit.” Sydnexis submitted a formal dispute resolution request after receiving the FDA’s complete response letter in October 2025.
Representatives from Sydnexis gave an hour-long

GLP-1s may not increase complications after hip fracture fixation

NASHVILLE, Tenn — Preoperative use of GLP-1 receptor agonists may lower 90-day risk for pneumonia, readmission, ED utilization and death after hip fracture without increasing healing complications at 1 year, according to a presenter.
“Hip fractures are an emergency. They need surgery within 24 to 48 hours for better mortality,” Henry Hojoon Seo, MD, a PGY-2 resident at Boston Medical Center, told Healio about his presentation at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting. “GLP-1 receptor agonists, being a chronic medication, cannot be realistically washed out in that time. Our findings

FDA authorizes marketing of 24 Velo nicotine pouches

The FDA has authorized the marketing of 24 new Velo nicotine pouch products via the premarket tobacco product application pathway, according to an FDA press release.
All authorized Velo products (Modoral Brands Inc.) contain 4 mg of nicotine and use certified child-resistant packaging.
The FDA’s evaluation of these 24 pouches found that “these products contain lower levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents” compared with cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products, according to the release.
“We are horrified by FDA’s decision to authorize 24 new nicotine

Judge blocks CMS’ medical frailty rule

A federal judge struck down a CMS rule requiring Medicaid beneficiaries with qualifying medical conditions to prove they cannot meet new work requirements.
The order does not overturn the broader Medicaid work requirements enacted under H.R.1, or the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Starting Jan. 1, certain Medicaid beneficiaries aged 19 to 64 years will be required to engage in qualifying activities — employment, community service or some work programs — for 80 hours per month, or make at least $580 monthly (the minimum wage multiplied by 80 hours), “or be enrolled in educational program for at least

For optimal ICL outcomes, individualize orientation to each eye

LONDON — In a new study, vertical EVO ICL implantation was associated with a modest reduction in vault but showed no effect on rotational stability, refractive outcomes or short-term safety vs. horizontal placement.
“Vertical vs. horizontal placement is a modifiable parameter that should be considered to choose the best orientation based on anatomical and surgical considerations,” Nuno Rodrigues Alves, MD, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.
Previous studies have posed the question of whether vertical orientation of the EVO ICL phakic IOL (STAAR Surgical)

FDA approves Ilumya for adults with psoriatic arthritis

The interleukin-23 inhibitor tildrakizumab-asmn has received FDA approval for adults with active psoriatic arthritis, according to a press release from the manufacturer.
The approval follows the global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled INSPIRE-1 and INSPIRE-2 phase 3 trials, which investigated a physician-administered 100 mg subcutaneous injectable formulation of tildrakizumab (Ilumya, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries) given at weeks 0 and 4, and then every 12 weeks thereafter.
“Psoriatic arthritis is a complex and chronic disease,” Philip J. Mease, MD, MACR, FRCP,

HHS updates labels for three estradiol transdermal patches

HHS approved updated labels for three additional menopausal hormone therapy products today.
The agency took action on the products — estradiol transdermal patches which come from two applicants — through the FDA, according to a press release from HHS.
The FDA approved labeling changes clarifying the risk-benefit associations for six menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) products in February. The action today “expands this effort by approving the removal of the same outdated risk statements” for breast cancer, CVD and probable dementia from the black box warnings for the three patches.
HHS also

Liver Cancer Awareness Month: The importance of universal hepatitis B vaccination

For this Liver Cancer Awareness Month, we must remember to universally administer the hepatitis B virus vaccine to newborns, children and adults to prevent liver cancer.
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine was the first anti-cancer vaccine to be developed, and universally administering the vaccine prevents liver cancer, particularly when given at birth.
Up to 2.4 million people in the United States are currently living with chronic HBV infection, which is a major risk factor for developing liver cancer, since up to one in four individuals with chronic HBV will develop cirrhosis, liver cancer

LASIK, PRK performed by fellows yield visual improvements

Patients reported experiencing improvement in visual symptoms after undergoing wavefront-guided LASIK or PRK performed by corneal fellows, according to a study published in Journal of Refractive Surgery.
Megan E. Chung and colleagues wrote that while LASIK and PRK are two of the most popular refractive procedures, many patients still have reservations due to potential complications.
“Patients considering refractive surgery are acutely aware of potential complications such as risk of flap complications, dry eye, or adverse visual symptoms such as glare, halos and starbursts,” they wrote. “These