pharma supplement to australian optometry JUNE 2009

l Chronic, non-infectious uveitis l Herpes simplex keratitis

l Systemic medications affecting ocular health l Botulinum toxin
l Treat dry eye with sodium hyaluronate
 There are some Things your eyes never grow Tired of
Help your patients continue to see what’s precious to them.
Xalatan, providing sustained IOP * reduction and proven tolerability for up to 5 years.1^,2,3

latanoprost

PBS Information: This drug is listed on the PBS for the treatment
of Open Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension.
*Low IOP is associated with reduced progression of visual field defect in patients with glaucoma.4,5 ^Xalatan used as adjunctive therapy.1
REFER TO PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE PRESCRIBING. MINIMUM PRODUCT INFORMATION: XALATAN® (Latanoprost 50 micrograms/mL) Eye Drops. Indications: Reduction of intraocular
pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Dosage and administration: One eye drop in the affected eye(s) once daily. Other eye drops at least 5 minutes
apart. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to ingredients. Precautions: Change in eye colour due to increased iris pigmentation, heterochromia; eyelid skin darkening; changes in eyelashes
and vellus hair; macular oedema; other types of glaucoma; pseudophakia; aphakia; contact lenses. Severe or brittle asthma. Pregnancy category B3, lactation. Children. Interactions: other
prostaglandins, thiomersal. Blurring of vision. Adverse effects: Increased iris pigmentation; eye irritation (burning, grittiness, itching, stinging and foreign body sensation); eyelash and vellus hair
changes (darkening, thickening, lengthening, increased number); mild to moderate conjunctival hyperaemia; transient punctate epithelial erosions; blepharitis; eye pain; conjunctivitis; vision
blurred; eyelid oedema, macular oedema. Muscle/joint pain; dizziness; headache; localised skin reaction on the eyelids; skin rash. Uncommonly: keratitis; non-specific chest pain; Others, see
full PI. PBS dispensed price $41.71. The full disclosure Product Information is available on request from Pfizer Australia Pty Limited. ABN 50 008 442 348. 38-42 Wharf Road, West Ryde
NSW 2114. Full PI approved by the TGA on 4 February 2003, last amended 20 November 2006. Pfizer Medical Information 1800 675 229. References: 1. Alm A et al. Arch Ophthalmol
2004; 112: 957–965. 2. Goldberg I et al. Eur J Ophthalmol 2008; 18(3): 408–416. 3. Hedman K et al. Surv Ophthalmol 2002; 47(Suppl 1): S65-S76 4. The AGIS
investigators. Am J Ophthalmol 2000; 130: 429-440. 5. Goldberg I. Surv Ophthalmol 2003; 48(Suppl 1): S3-S7. 04/09 McCann Healthcare XALAT0065/OP/W
 

Contents

2 Chronic non-infectious uveitis

4 Generic versus brand-name products

6 Herpes simplex keratitis

Published by
9 Responsibilities of a pharmacist

10 Do we need to know patients’ medications?

12 Botulinum toxin

14 Photo clinics
Editor: GARY OSHRY
National Publications Manager: 14 Drug interaction alerts inadequate
SANDRA SHAW
Clinical editor: MARK ROTH 15 Local community values endorsement
Advertising: GARY OSHRY
Optometrists Association Australia 16 Treat dry eye with sodium hyaluronate
ABN 17 004 622 431
19 Taking on the French resistance
204 Drummond Street
Carlton VIC 3053 20 Letter from New Zealand
Tel (03) 9668 8500
Fax (03) 9663 7478 22 Reality check for schizophrenic sufferers
g.oshry@optometrists.asn.au
www.optometrists.asn.au 22 Discuss glaucoma around the family table
Copyright © 2009 23 PBS list of medicines for optometrists—May 2009
COVER 25 Controlled substances that may be used or prescribed
Non-healing neurotrophic ulcer
by optometrists—May 2009
requiring antibiotic prophylaxis and
topical steroid treatment

Comments made in Optometry

Pharma are of a general nature
and intended for guidance only. Op-
tometrists Association Australia and
the individual contributors expressly
disclaim all liability and responsibility
to any person in respect of, and for
the consequences of, anything done
or omitted to be done in reliance
wholly or partly on anything in this All references to pharmaceutical preparations in Optometry Pharma
publication. are applicable within Australia

optometry pharma June 2009



Chronic, non-
Suppressing a patient’s immunity carries the risk that the
complications of ­systemic therapy will cause a healthy patient with
an eye disease to ­become a sick patient with an eye disease.

The treatment of chronic, non-infec- ­effects, some of which are life threatening,
tious uveitis is a difficult task that and many others are very disruptive to the
often involves choosing the least patients’ lifestyle. Examples include weight
of all evils. Both the disease and its gain, psychosis, severe systemic infections,
treatment may be complicated by osteoporosis, liver and kidney toxicity,
systemic and ophthalmic problems. abnormal hair growth, hypertension and
This review of recent changing diabetes. Avoiding such complications
trends in the therapeutic approach requires medical experience and expertise,
to this condition is limited to the and even in the most experienced hands
Ehud Zamir treatment of uveitis in patients who they are sometimes inevitable. In addition,
MD FRANZCO do not have an active underlying some popular immune-suppressive agents
The Ocular Immunology Clinic, systemic disease such as sarcoido- are very expensive (for example, Cy-
Royal Victorian Eye and Ear sis or ankylosing spondilitis, and closporine, mycophenolate and biologics
Hospital whose main clinical problem is their such as infliximab).
eye disease. This is a very common In the past decade or so, more experi-
clinical scenario. ence has been accumulating with intraocu-
The prevailing treatment paradigm for lar (mainly intravitreal) therapy, both in
significant, chronic, non-infectious uveitis has the field of retinal diseases and in uveitis.
been based on systemic or orbital (steroid Steroids and various biological treatments
injection) therapy, mainly used for problems have gained popularity and proved to
in the posterior segment (vitreous haze, be extremely efficacious against various
macular oedema, retinal and choroidal pathologies in the posterior segment.
inflammation). Most specialists in the field For example, a single intravitreal injec-
have used orbital long-acting steroid injec- tion of 4 mg of long-acting steroid (triamci-
tions as a first choice in unilateral disease, nolone) produces a rapid effect on cystoid
and systemic therapy in patients with bilat- macular oedema, roughly equivalent to
eral disease. Systemic therapy is based on that of a total of 4,000 mg systemic steroid
corticosteroids and often on the addition of (prednisolone) given systemically over two
immune-suppressive drugs, so-called steroid- to three months, but without any systemic
sparing agents. side-effects. A vial of the drug costs a few
While steroids usually have a rapid and dollars. It is important to mention that
dramatic therapeutic effect, immune sup- periocular (orbital) steroid injections can
pressive drugs are designed to maintain provide beneficial effects similar to those
quiescence of the disease, rather than im- of intraocular injections in most but not all
mediately control the uveitis. Their action has patients. For patients who fail to improve
a slower onset, often taking several months with periocular steroids, intravitreal admin-
to kick in, and their independent beneficial istration is almost always more effective and
effect is hard to measure as they are usually reverses the oedema. In fact, some uveitis
given in conjunction with oral steroids. specialists believe that if a patient’s posterior
Both oral steroids and immune suppres- uveitis does not improve significantly with
sive agents cause many systemic side- intravitreal steroids, it is unlikely to improve

optometry pharma June 2009

 

infectious uveitis
with any other medical therapy. surgery. A multi-central, randomised con- References
1. Cunningham MA, Edelman JL, Kaushal S. Intravitreal
Despite its extremely high efficacy, intra- trolled trial called the MUST trial is being steroids for macular edema: the past, the present,
vitreal (and, on a lower scale, peri-ocular) conducted, comparing this implant to and the future. Surv Ophthalmol 2008; 53: 139-
149.
steroid treatment carries a high risk of ocular systemic ‘traditional’ therapy. The study is 2. Callanan DG, Jaffe GJ, Martin DF, Pearson PA,
complications. The most common complica- sponsored by the National Eye Institute in Comstock TL. Treatment of posterior uveitis with a
fluocinolone acetonide implant: three-year clinical
tion is increased intraocular pressure, with or the USA. In Australia, The Ocular Immunol- trial results. Arch Ophthalmol 2008; 126: 1191-
without glaucoma. It is usually manageable ogy Clinic at the Royal Victorian Eye and 1201.
3. Yeh S, Nussenblatt RB. Fluocinolone acetonide
medically and requires filtration surgery in a Ear Hospital in Melbourne is participating for the treatment of uveitis: weighing the balance
sizeable minority of patients. Other compli- in the MUST trial. between local and systemic immunosuppression.
Arch Ophthalmol 2008; 126: 1287-1289.
cations include cataract, retinal detachment Chronic uveitis will continue to be a thera-
and endophthalmitis. Most of the ocular peutic challenge in the foreseeable future.
complications are manageable medically While various treatments are available to
or surgically. modify and suppress the patient’s immunity,
In summary, systemic toxicity is traded off they all carry various systemic risks and their
for ocular complications, most importantly efficacy is not always well established.
glaucoma. Local treatment with steroids and perhaps

‘
The other shortfall of triamcinolone injec-
tions is the duration of their effect, three
months on average. Patients may have
initially a favourable response but often

’
require repeated injections as the effect Steroids and various biological treatments have
wears off. This potentially increases the risk gained popularity and proved to be extremely
of surgical complications such as retinal ­efficacious against various pathologies in the
detachment and endophthalmitis. The long- ­posterior segment.
term safety profile of multiple intravitreal
injections is yet unknown. This is mainly of
concern in young patients, who may have
to live with uveitis for decades.
other molecules in the future offers unques-
Several drug delivery systems have been
tionable efficacy in most patients but the
introduced in the past decade, releasing
ocular side-effect, mainly glaucoma, may
steroids and other drugs from a small, surgi-
require aggressive therapy. More patients
cally implanted pellet. The pellet is usually
with chronic uveitis will probably develop
inserted through the pars plana and either
surgical glaucoma with the availability and
left in the vitreous cavity or sutured to the
rising popularity of local steroid injections
sclera. The longest-acting system avail-
and implants. While far from perfect, this
able at present releases a steroid slowly
treatment philosophy may avoid the unfor-
and steadily over two years. The current
tunate scenario in which a healthy patient
cost of this device in the USA is close to
with an eye disease becomes a sick patient
AU$30,000. Results from clinical trials have
with an eye disease, due to complications
shown remarkable efficacy in suppressing
of systemic therapy.
uveitis and improving vision for from two to
three years.
It is hard to compare this treatment to the
very effective and much cheaper option of
repeated intravitreal steroid injections: the
two have not been compared head to head.
The side-effects are similar, with 40 per cent
of implant patients requiring ­ glaucoma

optometry pharma June 2009



Generic versus
brand-name
products
Oils ain’t oils. Excipients, the therapeutically inactive components of a medication,
can affect the bioavailability of the active ingredient in many ways.

Generic drugs comprise a large per- When a new drug comes on the market,
Theresa Lonsky BA centage of prescriptions for drugs regulations are in place to protect the intel-
Leonid Skorin Jr today. Generics can be offered at lectual property rights of the manufacturer
OD DO FAAO FAOCO a greatly reduced price compared that invested large sums of money into re-
Albert Lea Medical Center, to their brand-name counterparts; search and development of that drug.2 After
Mayo Health System, reduced cost to the consumer leads a certain period, other manufacturers can
Minnesota USA to increased accessibility, and stud- use the technology without the financial bur-
ies show this leads to improved den of conducting expensive clinical trials.
adherence to therapy.1 Regulations ensure that manufacturers
Generic medications are less expensive establish bioequivalence to the original
because the cost of manufacturing is less, medication.2 This is supposed to ensure
and multiple manufacturers compete, which the therapeutic action of the generic form
drives down prices. While generics benefit will be the same as the branded product.
the patient financially, they are not without Companies save a lot of money by fore-
controversy, especially in the case of oph- going clinical trials, which is one way
thalmic generics. they are able to offer generics at such a
reduced price.
Generic drugs differ from their brand-
name form in that they have excipients dif-
ferent from the original drug.3 Excipients are
the therapeutically inactive components of
Benzalkonium Phenylmercuric acetate
a medication. They are of interest because
Benzethonium and nitrate
they affect the bioavailability of the active
Boric acid Polyoxypropylene-
ingredient.3
Chlorbutanol polyoxyethelenediol
Bioavailability refers to the percentage
Creatine Polysorbate 80
of active ingredient that is absorbed and
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Propylparaben
delivered to the site of action.3 Excipients in
acid (EDTA) Sodium bisulfite
topical ophthalmic solutions include buffers,
Glycerine Sodium carbonate
antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, salts and
Hydrochloric acid Sodium citrate
detergents. The Table (left) lists some com-
Mannitol Sodium nitrate
monly used excipients.
Methylcellulose Sodium phosphate
Excipients can influence bioavailability
Methylparaben Sodium sulfite
of the active ingredient in a medication
Oxine sulfate Tyloxapol
in multiple ways: by altering pH, viscosity,
Phenylethyl alcohol Zinc sulfate
surfactants and osmotics. The pH of a drug
solution will determine if the active ingredi-
Excipients frequently added to ophthalmic solutions ent is in the ionised or non-ionised form.3 The
non-ionised form will be more lipid-soluble
and cross cell membranes more readily but

optometry pharma June 2009

 

the ionised form is more stable with a longer

shelf-life.3 The final pH of a drug solution
is a balance between bioavailability and
shelf-life of the drug, so bioavailability of the
active ingredient will be reliant on the pH
the manufacturer decides to have.
Viscosity of a drug is influenced by
adding substances such as hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose and polyvinyl alcohol.3
Studies support that increased viscosity
improves drug-corneal contact time, thus
increasing bioavailability.3 Surfactants or
detergents are added to ophthalmic solu-
tions for several reasons: they increase the
solubility of the drug by making it more
hydrophobic, they act as preservatives and
are said to enhance penetration of the drug
in ocular tissues.3 products as well, including a generic form References
Benzalkonium chloride is a frequently 1. Shrank WH, Hoang T, Ettner SL et al. The
of 1% diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solu- implications of choice: prescribing generic or
used detergent in ophthalmic solutions. tion. In this case, an increase rate of corneal preferred pharmaceuticals improves medication
Osmotics are important additives that help adherence for chronic conditions. Arch Intern Med
toxicity, ranging from superficial punctate 2006; 166: 332-337.
match the tonicity of the ophthalmic solu- keratopathy to corneal melting, was as- 2. Frank RG. The ongoing regulation of generic drugs.
tion to that of natural tears, 0.9% sodium N Engl J Med 2007; 357: 20: 1993-1996.
sociated with the introduction of generic 3. Tasman D, Jaeger EA. Duane’s Foundations of
chloride.3 If tonicity of the medication is too diclofenac.5 Clinical Ophthalmology. Lippincott Williams and
far off from the natural tears, the patient will Wilkins, 2008; 3: 22: accessed online Jan 30-31
The generic form of diclofenac was dif- 2009.
experience reflex tearing which washes the ferent from the name-brand in preservatives 4. Roberts CW, Nelson PL. Comparative analysis
drug away, thereby decreasing bioavail- of prednisolone acetate suspensions. J Ocular
and inactive ingredients, and was recalled Pharmacol Ther 2007; 23: 2: 182-187.
ability. Ocular discomfort alone may lead after cases of toxicity were reported.5 A 5. Fiscella RG, Gaynes BI, Jensen M. Equivalence of
the patient to discontinue therapy if they are generic and brand-name ophthalmic products. Am
study later reported that the generic was J Health-Syst Pharm 2001; 58: 7: 616-617.
not willing to endure the irritation. recalled on anecdotal evidence and the 6. Flach AJ. Corneal melts associated with topically
All of these factors must be considered applied nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Tr
cases of corneal melt could have been Am Ophth Soc 2001; 99: 205-212.
when dealing with multiple brands of the caused by coexistent factors and not simply
same medication as they all will influence drug toxicity.6
the bioavailability of the drug. Decreased The prescribing dilemma for practitioners
bioavailability translates into the drug being choosing from multiple forms of the same
less effective clinically. drug is considering cost to the patient and
One example of this occurred with the clinical effectiveness or bioavailability.
topical ophthalmic suspension prednisolone Generic non-equivalence is not frequently
acetate 1%. In this case, the particle size documented. Regulating agencies that
of generic prednisolone acetate 1% was monitor the development of generics work
larger than the name brand (Pred Forte).4 to ensure bioequivalence so the practitioner
In ophthalmic suspensions, particle size may can comfortably prescribe any form of the
be the most important factor of formulation drug.
that determines bioavailability of the active In the case of ophthalmic drugs, cases
ingredient.4 Larger particles will settle out of generic non-equivalence have been re-
and cluster together, resulting in reduced ported but with controversial results in some
bioavailability of the drug.4 The clinical cases. It is important for the practitioner
implications of this would be reduced clini- to understand how generics differ from
cal efficacy of the generic drug with larger their name brand counterparts, especially
particle size. considering the non-active ingredients that
Concerns have been raised about other influence bioavailability of the drug.

optometry pharma June 2009



Herpes simplex
keratitis

There are two serotypes: HSV-1, which The rationale and treatment protocols for
Michael S Loughnan
mainly causes infections above the waist, treating HSK were greatly enhanced by the
MBBS PhD FRANZO
and HSV-2, which mainly causes infections Herpetic Eye Disease Studies (HEDS),1,2 a
Corneal Clinic,
below the waist and is the primary cause of series of prospective multicentre randomised
Royal Victorian Eye and Ear
genital herpes. There is some cross-protec- clinical trials performed in the USA in the
Hospital
tion provided by immunity to one serotype early 1990s. These looked at a number of
against the other. The most common site treatment issues in HSK including trigger
of HSV infection is on the lips with about factors, the need for anti-virals and corticos-
one-third of the human population having teroids, as well as the use of oral anti-viral
recurrent herpetic labialis/dermatitis (cold agents as prophylaxis.
sores). A history of cold sores around the lips
may be protective against herpes simplex Primary ocular HSV
keratitis (HSK) as it may lead to immunity. The primary HSV ocular disease is often
Herpes simplex (HSV) is a truly HSK is common and relatively complex, not identified because the episode is fre-
remarkable virus. It is a double- with both primary and secondary forms of quently mild and similar to other viral forms
stranded DNA virus and is the most the disease and multiple manifestations of of conjunctivitis. The primary infection most
ubiquitous communicable virus in the secondary disease. HSK is more com- commonly occurs in infants, who catch
humans. It is also the most common mon in men than women (2:1) and does not the disease from direct contact with family
single micro-organism to infect the demonstrate any known seasonal variation members or friends, or in teenagers.
cornea, affecting about one in 650 in frequency of attacks. The primary ocular infection may be so
people at some point in their lives. About one in 10 people with a history of mild as to be asymptomatic or may lead
Humans are the only known natu- HSK will have a repeat attack in any given to a slightly red, watery eye with minimal
ral reservoir of the virus. The virus year and about one in 10 with HSK develop discomfort. Sometimes this is associated
enters the body through the skin stromal keratitis, the form most commonly with typical cold sore type vesicles along
or a mucous membrane and after associated with loss of vision. The disease the lid margin (blepharoconjunctivitis). The
resolution of the primary infection, is usually unilateral with only about two infection is usually unilateral. Examination
frequently leads to latent infection per cent of affected people having bilat- reveals a typical follicular conjunctivitis,
with the virus resident in the local eral disease; ocular atopy appears to be a sometimes with associated small, grouped
nerve ganglion cell as well as the particular risk factor for the development of punctate epithelial erosions, even on occa-
nerve axon. bilateral disease. sion microdendrites. It typically resolves fully

Layer involved Name of disease Primary cause Treatment

Epithelium Dendritic ulcers Viral replication Debridement and anti-virals
Geographic ulcers Viral replication Debridement and anti-virals
Metaherpetic ulcers (also Neurotrophic/Toxicity Unpreserved lubricants
termed an indolent ulcer)
Stroma Stromal necrotic Immune response & Topical steroids with
low level viral replication antiviral prophylaxis
Stroma & Disciform (also termed Immune response Topical steroids with
endothelium keratouveitis) antiviral prophylaxis

Table 1. Secondary herpes simplex keratitis

optometry pharma June 2009

 

without any scarring or loss of vision. viral replication or an immune response to good clinical response is noted the steroids
Treatment of primary HSV conjunctivitis viral antigens (Table). After an active viral can be tapered slowly. Initially this may
or blepharoconjunctivitis is with topical acy- infection, residual viral proteins remain entail changing a stronger steroid such as
clovir ointment (Zovirax), x5 daily for one strewn throughout the cornea. These act Pred Forte for a weaker one such as Flarex,
week. The patient can be reviewed at one as foreign antigens; it is the reaction of the and later even Flarex for fluromethalone
week if the episode has not resolved fully but body’s immune system to these antigens that (FML). Then the number of drops per day is
the condition is typically self-limiting. The risk causes so-called ‘immune based’ HSK. It is gradually decreased, usually by one drop
of the rare complication of HSV encephalitis the same mechanism that causes most of a day every month, going down from x4 to
exists if the patient is immunocompromised, the delayed onset keratitis following herpes x3 a day after one month and continuing
such as with HIV/AIDS. Treatment with zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). the tapering until they are ceased.
oral antiviral agents is indicated, such as Dendritic (Figure 1) and geographic
famcyclovir (Famvir) 250 mg tds orally for ulcers are caused by active viral replication; Continued page 8
one week or intravenously if the infection while disciform and stromal necrotic disease
is severe. is primarily from an immune response.
If primary HSV ocular disease is suspect- Metaherpetic ulcers (Figures 2A and 2B)
ed, it is worth sending off a swab to the local are non-healing defects caused by a poor
laboratory for an HSV polymerase chain ocular surface usually resulting from a com-
reaction (PCR). This is a very straightforward bination of a digested, scarred, insensitive
test with good sensitivity and specificity. (neurotrophic) cornea coupled with toxicity
The swabs are readily available from local from topical medication (medicamentosa).
pathology laboratories and store at room As with all HSK diseases, a dendritic ulcer
temperature in the clinic for a long time. The causes slight to moderate ocular surface
specimen is taken by gently rubbing the dry discomfort; it does not cause significant
swab along the inferior fornix of the affected pain. A dendritiform ulcer with a history of
eye. A positive result may help diagnosis of a very painful eye is probably a healing
secondary HSK at a later date. epithelial defect.
Patients should be advised of the risk of The typical signs of a dendrite include
recurrent infections following the primary not only its characteristic shape but also
disease and asked to represent promptly the typical staining pattern. As the edges of
for review if they develop a red or sore the lesion are compromised by the growing
eye. Recurrences can occur at any stage virus they freely leak fluorescene. If you
following the primary infection but the initial instil fluorescene and look a minute or two
episode of HSV reactivation typically oc- later, you can observe that the fluorescein
curs in the first several years following the has leaked under the edges of the lesion,
primary infection. causing a smudge-like stain. Decreased
sensation around the area, as seen with
Secondary ocular HSV gentle stroking of the area with a wisp of
Secondary HSK refers to ocular infections cotton from a cotton bud, is an interesting Figure 1. Two dendrites, one across
resulting from reactivation of viral activity, or although usually not particularly helpful the whole length of the graft and
of an immune reaction to the virus or viral sign. It is more marked with stromal disease a smaller one on the host near the
particles. Recurrent viral activity with viral and metaherpetic ulcers. graft-host junction. The multiple
multiplication may occur following a ‘trigger If there is any doubt about the cause of dendrites and extensive nature of the
factor’.3 The most common ‘trigger factors’ the lesion, a HSV PCR swab can be taken as central one is probably secondary
appear to be exposure to abnormally high described above for primary HSV infections. to the use of topical steroids for the
levels of UV and an acute febrile illness This is obtained by rolling the swab along corneal graft. Although fluorescene
such as influenza. High UV exposure com- the edges of a suspected lesion. was instilled into the eye less than one
monly occurs in Summer at the beach or in Lesions caused by active viral replica- minute before the photograph was
Winter when skiing. Patients with multiple tion, dendritic and geographic ulcers, are taken, there is already considerable
recurrences of HSK should especially be treated with anti-virals, usually with gentle leakage of fluorescene from the ulcer
advised to wear protective eyewear, such as debridement of the edges of the lesion to the surrounding epithelium.
wrap-around sunglasses or skiing goggles, with an anaesthetic-soaked cotton bud
when in high light level situations. and administration of acyclovir ointment
Secondary HSK is usually classified on (Zovirax) x5 daily for one week. Topical
the basis of the part of the cornea that is corticosteroids will make these infections
involved (Table opposite). There are several worse and can turn a dendrite into a deep
other rare forms of HSK, which I have left out geographic ulcer.
from this classification for simplicity. Immune-based disease is treated with
While this is a very useful classification topical steroids. Depending on the level of
system for helping to make the diagnosis inflammation, the initial treatment is either
for treatment, it is more useful to classify prednisolone sodium acetate (Pred Forte)
the disease on the basis of the primary or fluromethalone acetate 1% (Flarex), both
problem (pathophysiology) being one of usually x4 daily for a few weeks. When a

optometry pharma June 2009



Herpes simplex Figure 2A. A large metaherpetic

(indolent) ulcer. Note the grey

keratitis and rounded edge to the ulcer.

Although fluorescein was instilled
into the eye some time before the
From page 7 photograph was taken, there is no
leakage of fluorescene from the ul-
cer to the surrounding epithelium.

Figure 2B. The same patient as in

Figure 2A one month after stop-
ping anti-virals and use of unpre-
served lubricants. Note how the
epithelium has healed around the
whole edge of the ulcer.

As always, monitoring for steroid-related

side-effects needs to be carried out regu-
larly. During treatment with topical steroids
the patient should be covered with a prophy-
lactic dose of acyclovir ointment, x2 daily.
This can usually be stopped when the steroid
is decreased to only once a day or less.
One of the outcomes of the HEDS4 series Diagnosis and differential References
1. Sudesh S, Laibson PR. The impact of the herpetic
of trials has been the use of oral acyclovir
diagnoses eye disease studies on the management of
as prophylaxis to prevent the recurrence herpes simplex virus ocular infections. Curr Opin
Ophthalmol 1999; 10 : 4: 230-233.
of secondary disease. The acyclovir pre- The main differential diagnosis for a den- 2. Dawson CR, Jones DB, Kaufman HE, Barron
vention trial (APT) arm of the HEDS found drite is a healing epithelial defect, either BA, Hauck WW, Wilhelmus KR. Design and
organization of the herpetic eye disease study
an approximate 50 per cent reduction in from trauma or recurrent corneal erosion (HEDS). Curr Eye Res 1991; 10 Suppl: 105-110.
recurrences of most forms of HSK when syndrome (RCES). Typical findings seen 3. Herpetic Eye Disease Study Group. Psychological
stress and other potential triggers for recurrences of
patients took acyclovir tablets, 400 mg with a dendritic and geographic ulcer and herpes simplex virus eye infections. Arch Ophthalmol
orally twice daily. This indication is not how they differ from other epithelial defects 2000; 118: 12: 1617-1625.
4. Herpetic Eye Disease Study Group. Oral acyclovir
covered by the pharmaceutical benefits are listed above. Acanthamoeba keratitis for herpes simplex virus eye disease: effect on
scheme in Australia and is very expensive is an extremely uncommon differential prevention of epithelial keratitis and stromal keratitis.
Arch Ophthalmol 2000; 118: 8: 1030-1036.
for patients, costing about $120 per month, diagnosis.
unless it is subsidised and dispensed by a Stromal disease usually presents with a
public hospital. focal infiltrate with an overlying epithelial
Common guidelines for commencing oral defect. There is often a smear of intra-stromal
acyclovir are: two or more recurrences of inflammation surrounding the lesion and
sight-threatening HSK within one year, HSK frequently evidence of previous infections
occurring in an only sighted eye and HSK with scars and small divets on the cornea
on a corneal graft. The study found that the from tissue loss. These are often adjacent
acyclovir is effective only while the patient is to the active lesion. The lesion can mimic
taking the drug. It does not have any longer- other stromal viral infections such as HZO,
term benefit. For ongoing protection the adenoviral keratitis (which typically has mul-
patient needs to continue on the acyclovir. tiple non-ulcerated lesions), infections such
Practically, patients usually continue the as bacterial keratitis and other infectious
medication for one to two years or longer, keratitis such as Acanthamoeba keratitis
especially in an only eye. and fungal keratitis.

optometry pharma June 2009

 

Responsibilities of a
pharmacist
A step-by-step guide for pharmacists helps to eliminate errors in the
dispensing process

Reducing medication risks for in a container with all items visible and kept says that while the process for dispensing
­patients and ensuring that all legal out of reach of the public. scripts remains the same, differences exist
requirements are met make stand- When the patient comes to collect their when processing private and Pharmaceuti-
ardised protocols necessary for prescription, the pharmacist should consider cal Benefits Scheme (PBS) scripts.
pharmacists when they dispense whether they require counselling and verify ‘There is slightly more administration for
prescriptions. that they are the correct person receiving PBS scripts, with differences in the coding
Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) it. A final check of the medication details of scripts for payment, and the fact they
has developed a set of guidelines as a against the original copy of the prescription are then forwarded to the government,’
resource for all Australian pharmacists. The is recommended. he said.
Guide to Good Dispensing is a step-by-step A spokeswoman for PDL says the guide- Martin says that although it is not docu-
process designed to reduce the possibility of lines—developed about 10 years ago—are mented in the PDL guidelines, communication
dispensing errors and to save pharmacists popular with the thousands of pharmacists between pharmacists and the practitioner
time and money. across Australia. ‘The guidelines are printed who wrote the script may be necessary.
Under the guidelines, pharmacists are in our annual report each year and we ‘The pharmacist may detect interaction with
advised to check the patient’s details—their often get requests for them, especially from other medications, want to discuss the dos-
name, contact information, Medicare hospital pharmacists,’ she said. age or frequency of the medication with the
number and health characteristics—and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia direc- prescriber, or simply has problems with the
the details of their prescription, including tor of professional services, Grant Martin, legibility of the script.’
the practitioner’s signature and S4 and S8
requirements.
The pharmacist should then review
the patient’s medication profile to ensure
consistency of treatment, identify possible
interactions with other medications and
Electronic prescriptions on trial
investigate any instances of medication
An Australia-wide platform for sion is sent in an encrypted format to
misuse, such as the patient presenting to the
electronic prescriptions has been the system ‘hub’.
pharmacist for prescription repeats more
launched with the aim of improv- Patients can present their prescrip-
frequently than has been recommended.
ing dispensing accuracy, reducing tion at any pharmacy in Australia, with
After selecting the required drug and its
pharmacists’ workload and inform- the pharmacist scanning the barcode
dosage, the pharmacist should label the
ing practitioners about whether to download the electronic prescrip-
medication. This process involves checking
a patient’s medication has been tion from the hub into their dispensing
label information such as the expiry date
dispensed. software.
and the drug and dosage against the origi-
The eRx Script Exchange system was Graham Cunningham, chairman of
nal copy of the prescription, and that the
introduced in April and is being trialled eRx Script Exchange, hopes the system
label does not obscure important informa-
by a small number of general practition- will be incorporated into significantly
tion on the manufacturer’s label.
ers and medical specialists. more medical practices across Australia
Scanning the label’s barcode to bring
The system, which interfaces with within the next 12 months.
up the medication details on computer, the
existing prescribing and dispensing He says that although the system
pharmacist should again check that these
software, involves patients receiving is targeting general practitioners and
details match those listed on the original
a paper prescription from their prac- medical specialists, there is no reason
prescription.
titioner imprinted with an eRx Script that optometrists cannot access it in
When finalising the prescription, the
Exchange barcode. An electronic ver- the future.
pharmacist must ensure that it is accompa-
nied by any necessary repeat forms and
consumer medication information, placed

optometry pharma June 2009

10

Do we need to know
Tony Gibson Case reports
MScOptom

the history of their general health and all their medical practitioner to the presence of
medications they have taken. such ocular effects may improve treatment
More optometrists are receiving referrals options that can avoid potentially serious
The optometrist as a primary pro- from GPs and medical practitioners should immediate and long-term ocular morbidity.
vider has a crucial role in the health be encouraged to include a history of health At the conclusion of the examination, the
care team. Patients present seeking issues related to the referred patient as well optometrist must decide on a likely diagnosis
solutions for a variety of symptoms. as a list of medications including dosages. and appropriate treatment for the patient’s
Many signs and symptoms have an Potential ocular side-effects of commonly symptoms and signs. Reference matrices that
underlying aetiology related to both prescribed medications include eye move- link systemic diseases and medications with
systemic conditions and the medica- ment and lid control, pupil reactions, accom- potential ocular complications and adverse
tion used to treat them. A complete modative dysfunction, pigmentary changes, reactions are a valuable guide to assist clini-
history should alert the optometrist tear film stability, ocular surface irritation, cal decision making. Two useful references
to the possibility of interactions be- intraocular pressure changes, cataract, are www.aoa.org/x7346.xml and www.
tween systemic and ocular health visual field effects, colour vision effects, and academy.org.uk/pharmacy.
and can be crucial to the manage- retinal and optic nerve pathology. These four typical case studies demon-
ment of patient outcomes. Examination of these signs is an essential strate the importance of a good history of
Often patients do not recognise that part of a thorough eye consultation and may systemic medications.
systemic medication may affect their eyes be the first occasion that such effects have
so it is important to question patients on been discovered. Alerting a patient and IOP steroid response
Prednisolone is a commonly prescribed
immunosuppressant steroid for controlling
inflammatory responses and is used both
systemically and topically. Raised intraocu-
lar pressure is a potential ocular side-effect
that occurs in seven to 10 per cent of topi-
cal users but can also occur in higher dose
long-term systemic users.

Case 1. Mr SM
A 74-year-old male with variable intraocu-
lar pressure readings over several years
underwent bilateral cataract surgery. Both
Figure 1. Case 2, LE Figure 2. Case 2, RE eyes were complicated by IOP spikes im-
mediately post-surgery. The patient recov-
ered well with oral Diamox and temporary
Xalatan post-surgery and is a suspected
steroid responder.
More recently he was treated with oral
Prednisolone to manage a skin rash and
his IOP rose from baseline 15-18 mmHg to
24-26 mmHg. After a discussion with his GP,
the Prednisolone was withdrawn for a trial
period and his IOP returned to base levels.
He is strongly suspected to be a steroid
responder and may need topical treatment
for his IOP if he is again required to take
oral steroid in the future.
Figure 3. Case 3, LE Figure 4. Case 3, RE

optometry pharma June 2009

 11

patients’ medications?
Case 2. Mrs AB visual field loss and reduced night vision.
A 67-year-old woman was treated intermit- Baseline fields and regular follow-up
tently over many years with Prednisolone assessments are recommended before
when her long-term asthma was severe. starting therapy.
Her IOP had been monitored for many
years and had never been raised. An arcu- Case 3. Mr KP
ate field loss and optic nerve match was A 44-year-old male with long-term severe
discovered at a routine examination and epilepsy was managed in a neurology
she is now comanaged on topical Xalatan. outpatient clinic and treated with Viga-
It was considered that she had asymmetrical batrin (Sabril). Regular full-field and fundus
low tension glaucoma and her target ideal examinations detected peripheral retinal
IOP may be lower than in other patients. pigmentary changes and field losses, which
Her steroid use may have exacerbated have remained stable. He was taken off
her moderate IOP rise and contributed to Vigabatrin and may proceed to temporal
the asymptomatic onset of her low tension lobe surgery. (Figures 3 and 4)
glaucoma. Her field loss has reduced since
she has been treated. (Figures 1 and 2) Case 4. Mr OS
An 80-year-old male with long-term epilepsy
was treated with Rivotril and Tegretol, and Figure 5. Case 4, RE
Acquired retinal for a four-year period with Vigabatrin.
pigmentary degeneration Peripheral pigmentary changes, arteriolar
with Vigabatrin narrowing and a flat waxy optic nerve
GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) is were noted during a subsequent routine
a neurotransmitter and thought to be at examination. Full-field testing demonstrated
inadequate low levels in epileptic patients. a dense peripheral loss corresponding with
Vigabatrin (Sabril) provides an agonistic the retinal pigmentary changes. He subse-
GABA effect and is very effective in reliev- quently had bilateral cataract surgery and
ing symptoms but it may accumulate in the developed some R capsular opacity, which
retina, where it is thought to destabilise was treated with a capsulotomy.
metabolic rates, particularly in rod recep- The fundus images (Figures 5 and 6)
tors, and accelerate their death. were taken before the R capsulotomy and
The clinical signs that manifest are similar there is some central blur in the R image.
to those of retinitis pigmentosa and may The full-field results are shown in Figures 7
be dose related but appear after months and 8. A report to his GP and neurologist
or years of treatment, often without symp- alerted them to the problem and the drug
toms. These include peripheral pigmentary was withdrawn.
degeneration, narrowed retinal vessels, Vigabatrin has been replaced by anti-
optic neuropathy, permanent peripheral ­convulsant drugs with fewer side-­effects.
Figure 6. Case 4, LE

Figure 7. Case 4, LE Figure 8. Case 4, RE

optometry pharma June 2009

12

Botulinum toxin
can cause drooping eye lids,
Although it was first purified in There have been some reports of success
1928, botulinum toxin has become in using botulinum toxin to treat migraine,
popular since the mid-1980s as a tension headaches and the neuralgia that
cosmetic agent by virtue of its ef- sometimes debilitates individuals after an
fective muscle relaxant action that episode of herpes zoster ophthalmicus.
Dr Andrew Atkins diminishes the appearance of facial Initial cosmetic uses were to treat the
MB BS FRACO wrinkles. The disappearance of es- glabellar and frontal frown lines. The wrin-
Bayside Eye Specialists pecially deep wrinkles is dramatic kle lines at the outer angle of the eyelids
and often cosmetically satisfying. (crow’s feet) can also be effectively treated
Botulinum toxin is widely used by but great care must be taken to avoid side-
medical professionals in the fields ­effects. Injected into the lower lids, excessive
of ophthalmology, plastic surgery, drooping can occur, which is cosmetically
­dermatology and general practice. undesirable and may lead to watery eyes.
As well as established cosmetic uses, I am often asked about the possible use
medical therapeutic uses include hemifa- of Botulinum toxin to treat wrinkles around
cial spasm and essential blepharospasm. the mouth. These are generally best treated
Injection into extraocular muscles can be with ‘fillers’, which are synthetic products
performed where temporary treatment of (such as collagen) used to replace dimin-
strabismus is desired. Deep injections into ished tissue volume. Negative side-effects of
neck muscles can relieve neck spasm, and botulinum toxin injections around the mouth
in high doses it can be used to treat muscle include the inability to smile normally and
spasticity in cerebral palsy and head trauma drooling while eating.
victims. Botulinum toxin is a protein that is syn-
thetically produced from bacteria in a way
similar to the production of penicillin.In
Australia, it is marketed in two forms, Botox
or Dysport. It must be refrigerated prior
to use to prevent denaturing of its protein
structure. It is reconstituted with saline and
each small injection contains a carefully
measured number of units. A small number
of units are injected at each site. A muscle
of relatively larger bulk such as the glabellar
muscle requires a higher dosage unit than
the smaller facial and eyelid muscles.
The toxin works by blocking the transmis-
sion at the neuromuscular junction. It consists
of two polypeptide chains (a heavy chain
and a light chain) linked by a disulfide
bond. The light chain exerts the effect at
the neuromuscular junction by attacking
the fusion proteins (SNAP-25, syntaxin or
stnaptobrevin) preventing vesicles from
anchoring to the membrane to release the
Hemifacial spasm before botulinum Relaxed hemifacial spasm after neurotransmitter acetylcholine. By inhibiting
toxin treatment botulinum toxin treatment acetylcholine release, the toxin interferes

optometry pharma June 2009

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Injecting a muscle relaxant can diminish the appearance

of facial wrinkles by blocking the transmission at the
neuromuscular junction, but it may come at a cost.

headache and burning

with nerve impulses and causes flaccid
(sagging) paralysis of muscles as opposed
to the spastic paralysis seen in tetanus.
The onset of action is two to five days
and the individual is unable to contract the
affected muscles, preventing the appear-
ance of the undesirable wrinkles. In general,
the length of action varies from patient to
patient but in my practice it is usually from
three to six months. The action is temporary
due to the formation of new sites of effective
transmission of the neurotransmitter at the
neuromuscular junction.
A very fine needle is used to inject the
botulinum toxin and a single treatment
may involve between four and 20 injec-
tions. There is minimal discomfort and no
anaesthetic is required. It is not necessary
for the patient to be accompanied to the
consultation and they are certainly capable
of driving themselves after the treatment. Example of ‘crow’s feet’ before Example of ‘crow’s feet’ after
During a patient’s first treatment, the na- botulinum toxin treatment botulinum toxin treatment
ture of botulinum toxin is clearly explained,
including the time for onset of action and injecting. I emphasise that every patient at the injection site. The induced muscle
possible side-effects. Most people who responds slightly differently to the treat- weakness may be excessive for a short time,
present for this treatment, especially cos- ment and over time dosage is individually resulting in eyelid droopiness. This may last
metic patients, are very well educated on tailored. I have found it helpful to offer a for up to three weeks.
the topic prior to my discussion. free ‘top-up’ service after visits to ensure
Occasionally minor bruising can occur at patient satisfaction.
the site of the injections and this is minimised Less common side-effects include head-
by applying pressure immediately after aches, pain, burning, swelling or redness

Glabellar skin folds before botulinum toxin treatment Glabellar skin folds after botulinum toxin treatment

optometry pharma June 2009

14

photo clinics Gary Page

BAppSc(Optom)
DipAppSc(Orth)
GradCert(Ocular
Therapeutics)

Persistent neurotrophic ulcer in an elderly patient. Epithelial oedema secondary to acute hydrops in a
Management included prophylactic Tobrex qid and keratoconic patient, stained with NaFl
Prednefrin forte qid to minimise tissue destruction
caused by the intrinsic inflammatory response.

Drug interaction alerts inadequate

General medical practitioners and pharmacists have good The deficiencies in the quality of alerts may be the fault of publishers
reason to complain about the relevance and accuracy of as much as the software vendors. The drug interaction alerts incor-
drug interaction alerts in prescribing and dispensing soft- porated into software systems are usually generated from published
ware, according to a study published in Medical Journal reference sources.
of Australia.1 A panel of experts urges publishers to ensure provision of accu-
The study compared information in alerts with that found in a range rate, useful, up-to-date information, and for vendors to implement the
of reference sources, and investigated variations between systems, information appropriately.
including sensitivities and specificity. The government has identified the need for national standards for
There are many gaps in the information considered necessary decision support in clinical software in its National e-Health Strategy.
for decision-making including clinical effects and management National Prescribing Service CEO Dr Lynn Weekes said that establish-
advice. Deficiencies in drug interaction alerts have the potential to ing national standards would make it easier for software vendors to
impede the ­quality use of medications in terms of ­individual patient improve the quality of their systems and enable greater consistency
management. between systems.
The relative low specificity rate suggested some software systems It is important for users to be aware of the deficiencies and refer
contain inappropriate and unhelpful information, such as inappropri- to alternative sources.
ate alerts for interactions with topical products and failure to differ-
entiate between drugs in a class. The inundation of irrelevant alerts
can desensitise users. 1. MJA 2009; 190: 251-254

optometry pharma June 2009

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As the only therapeutically endorsed optometrist in Maffra,

Anna Chan was valued as an employee and a key
member of the community, writes Gary Oshry

Local community
values endorsement
When Anna Chan undertook her don’t really know the result.’ makes the day far more interesting and
therapeutic training course in 2006, Having a therapeutic endorsement gives offers you the opportunity to manage more
she was practising full-time in Maf- Chan greater control to monitor the compli- complicated cases.’
fra, a rural town 220 kilometres ance of her patients. For cases of foreign Chan practised in Maffra for one year
east of Melbourne. The Gippsland body removal, which is very common in after gaining her endorsement and now
ranges were not the only obstacle Maffra, she says that personally handing works in Diamond Creek on Melbourne’s
Chan had to overcome. over the prescription gives her a greater north-eastern fringe.
It took Chan two years to complete the assurance that the patient will comply with
course because of delays in organising the her recommendation to use the antibiotic
rotations at the Royal Victorian Eye and eye-drops needed to prevent the possibility
Ear Hospital. ‘Even though we had done of infection.
the didactic component a year earlier, not Although she worked in a busy practice
being able to do the hospital visits made supported by only two optometrists, Chan

‘
it difficult for us to get the clinical rotation says her employer John Cronin was very
completed,’ she said.
Many residents of Maffra and the sur-
rounding areas have been appreciative of
Chan’s persistence. At the end of 2007 she

’
Male patients in particular often consider attending
became the town’s only therapeutically en- a GP to be too hard and won’t bother. Now I can
dorsed optometrist, working at John Cronin send my patients directly to the pharmacy.
Optometrist, the only optometric practice in Anna Chan
a town of 4,500 residents where access to
ophthalmology services is limited.
‘It is handy to have a pad in hand; it
makes life much easier for my patients. There
were numerous instances when I would send understanding and accommodating of the
the patient to the GP merely to get a pre- demands of the course. ‘For private practice
scription. Male patients in particular often visits I could take the morning off and be
consider attending a GP to be too hard and back in the afternoon,’ she says. ‘Many of
won’t bother. Now I can send my patients the lectures were over the weekend when
directly to the pharmacy,’ says Chan. the practice was closed, so I only had to
‘Being able to treat and monitor uveitis take Fridays in leave. For those practising
is especially rewarding. Without the en- in Melbourne, I imagine it would be harder
dorsement I may have had to send some of not to work on Saturdays.
these cases to the Eye and Ear Hospital in ‘You can get by as an optometrist without
Melbourne, then without a follow-up you the endorsement but it opens more doors,

optometry pharma June 2009

16

Treat dry eye with

sodium
Sodium hyaluronate is a natu- Italy). When injected into the knee, sodium
David Ng rally occurring glycosaminoglycan hyaluronate acts as a lubricant and shock
BOptom widely distributed in the skin, con- absorber to relieve pain caused by osteo-
nective tissue and synovial fluid. ­arthritis. In the 1990s, sodium hyaluronate
In the eye, sodium hyaluronate is was first used as an adhesion barrier to
found in the vitreous, the aqueous reduce internal scarring after open surgery
humour and in the connective tissue in the abdomen or pelvis (Seprafilm, Gen-
of the anterior chamber angle. Be- zyme, USA). Together with carboxymethyl-
cause of its viscoelastic properties, cellulose, the biopolymer reduces adhesions
sodium hyaluronate has been used between the abdominal wall and the under-
in intraocular surgery for more than lying viscera, and between the uterus and
20 years. In recent years, eye-drops surrounding structures.
containing sodium hyaluronate In the past decade, FDA approved
have been available for the treat- sodium hyaluronate injections for filling
ment of dry eye symptoms (Figure soft tissue defects (Restylane, Q-Med AB,

‘
opposite). Sweden; Juvederm, Allergan, USA). It is
believed that sodium hyaluronate can help
replace the lost hyaluronic acid and smooth
wrinkles and folds.
Around the same time, a number of

’
When the eye blinks, the high shear force causes
the sodium hyaluronate molecules to align and eye-drops containing sodium hyaluronate
spread easily over the ocular surface were commercially available on the mar-
ket. In 2004, Advanced Medical Optics
launched a contact lens rewetter called Blink
Contacts, which contains 0.15% sodium
hyaluronate for the management of con-
tact lens associated dry eye, and in 2008
launched Blink Intensive Tears containing
Medical uses 0.2% sodium hyaluronate for the relief of
Because sodium hyaluronate is found dry eye symptoms.
naturally in many tissues of the body, it has
been used extensively in biomedical ap- Managing dry eye
plications targeting these tissues. The first The viscoelastic properties of sodium hy-
sodium hyaluronate biomedical product, aluronate make it particularly useful for dry
Healon (Abbott Medical Optics, previously eye patients. Between blinks, the long chains
named Advanced Medical Optics, Santa of the polymer intertwine, providing viscos-
Ana, USA) was developed in the 1970s ity that retards evaporation and drainage
and used in ophthalmic surgical procedures from the eye. When the eye blinks, the high
to maintain deep anterior chamber, which shear force causes the sodium hyaluronate
facilitates manipulation inside the eye with molecules to align and spread easily over
reduced trauma to the corneal endothelium the ocular surface.
and other ocular tissues. Studies demonstrated the subjective
In the late 1980s, sodium hyaluronate and objective improvements of sodium
was approved for the management of oste- hyaluronate in dry eye patients.1-5 Early in
oarthritis (for example, Hyalgan, Fidia SpA, 1982, Polack and McNiece used a 0.1%

optometry pharma June 2009

 17

References
1. Polack FM, McNiece MT. The treatment of dry eyes
with Na hyaluronate (Healon). Cornea 1982; 1:
133-136.
2. Mengher LS, Pandher KS, Bron AJ et al. Effect
of sodium hyaluronate (0.1%) on break-up time
(NIBUT) in patients with dry eyes. Br J Ophthalmol
1986; 70: 442-447.
3. Condon PI, McEwen CG, Wright M et al. Double
blink, randomized, placebo controlled, crossover,
multicentre study to determine the efficacy of a 0.1%
(wv) sodium hyaluronate solution (Fermavisc) in the

hyaluronate
treatment of dry eye syndrome. Br J Ophthalmol
1999; 83: 1: 121-1124.
4. Aragona P, Stefano GD, Ferreri F et al. Sodium
hyaluronate eye-drops of different osmolarity for the
treatment of dry in Sjögren’s syndrome patients. Br
J Ophthalmol 2002; 86: 879-884.
5. Prabhasawat P, Tesavibul N, Kasetsuwan N.
Performance profile of sodium hyaluronate in
patients with lipid tear deficiency: randomized,
double-blink, controlled, exploratory study. Br J
Ophthalmol 2007; 91: 47-50.
6. Hazlett LD, Barrett R. Sodium hyaluronate eye drop.
A scanning and transmission electron microscopy
The first biomedical preparations containing sodium hyaluronate were study of the corneal surface. Ophthalmic Res 1987;
19: 277-284.
developed more than 30 years ago. Only in recent years has it been 7. Aragona P, Papa V, Micali A et al. Long term
treatment with sodium hyaluronate-containing
used as a novel treatment for dry eye. artificial tears reduces ocular surface damage in
patients with dry eye. Br J Ophthalmol 2002; 86:
181-184.
8. Nishida T, Nakamura M, Mishima H et al.
Hyaluronan stimulates corneal epithelial migration.
dilution of Healon in patients with severe of symptoms after instillation of sodium Exp Eye Res 1991; 53: 753-758.
dry eye syndrome and found that it could hyaluronate lasted from between 60 and 9. Gomes JAP, Amankwah R, Powell-Richards A et al.
Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) promotes
effectively relieve symptoms including pain 90 minutes.2,5 migration of human corneal epithelial cells in vitro.
and photophobia.1 Later, Mengher and Sodium hyaluronate may also play a Br J Ophthalmol 2004; 88: 821-825.
10. McDonald CC, Kaye SB, Figueiredo FC et al. A
colleagues from the Nuffield Laboratory role in protecting the corneal epithelium. randomized, crossover, multicentre study to compare
of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, A number of studies showed that sodium the performance of 0.1% (w/v) sodium hyaluronate
with 1.4% (w/v) polyvinyl alcohol in the alleviation
reported that 0.1% sodium hyaluronate hyaluronate could promote corneal epi- of symptoms associated with dry eye syndrome. Eye
could significantly increase non-invasive thelial cell migration and reduce ocular 2002; 16: 601-607.
11. Itoi M, Kim O, Kimura T et al. Effect of sodium
tear break-up time of dry eye patients. The surface damage.7-9 Clinical observations hyaluronate ophthalmic solution on peripheral
symptoms of grittiness and burning were suggested that sodium hyaluronate may staining of rigid contact lens wearers. CLAO J 1995;
21: 261-264.
also significantly alleviated.2 reduce fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining
More recently, Condon and colleagues in patients with dry eye.3,4,10,11
demonstrated an improvement in Schirmer’s Sodium hyaluronate may be more ef-
score with the application of 0.1% sodium fective in treating dry eye symptoms and
hyaluronate in patients with keratoconjunc- the introduction of eye-drops containing
tivitis sicca and Sjögren’s syndrome,3 and sodium hyaluronate provides optometrists
Prabhasawat and co-workers showed a with a new option apart from traditional
significant improvement in non-invasive tear tear formulas.
break-up time with 0.18% sodium hyaluro-
nate compared to hydroxypropyl-methycel-
lulose in patients with tear dysfunction due
to oil defect.5
It has been suggested that the effect of so- Sodium hyaluronate
dium hyaluronate on eyes can last for more
than 60 minutes.1,2,5,6 Polack and McNiece
evaluated the presence and persistence of
CH2OH COO Na
sodium hyaluronate on the corneal surface O O
using fluorescein and found that sodium
O O
hyaluronate lasted for at least one hour in HO
most patients.1 NHAc HO OH
In a study using transmission electron
n
microscopy, Hazlett and Barrett found that
sodium hyaluronate was detectable at the Repeating disaccharide unit
corneal surface of mice 60 minutes after
its application and appeared to contain Molecular structure of sodium hyaluronate
electron dense filamentous-like substances,
which are associated with corneal surface
cell microvilli.6
Other studies showed that the relief

optometry pharma June 2009

18

Briefs

Drug education Eye-drops in Genetics not a

People can gain a better understanding
of their medicines through an online tool
cataract trial factor in steroid
developed by the National Prescribing unsuccessful response
Service (NPS).
The resource, launched on 12 March, is In vivo trials of a new therapy to prevent A study1 assessing a possible link
known as the NPS Medicine Name Finder the progression of cataract have failed between a patient’s genetic make-
and is available to consumers and health to replicate the success of this treatment up and their ocular response to
professionals. in in vitro studies. steroids has found no conclusive
Visitors to the site can enter the brand The efficacy of calpain inhibitor CAT0059 evidence to support this theory.
name of a medicine into the online tool’s in preventing the degradation of lens pro- Researchers were attempting to deter-
search field. The name of the medicine’s teins, leading to the development of cata- mine why some patients experienced a spike
active ingredient will appear; entering the ract, was analysed in sheep lenses. in intraocular pressure following injections of
active ingredient will bring up the medica- An eye-drop solution and ointment formu- intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA)
tion’s brand name. lation of CAT0059 were used during the to treat retinal diseases.
Consumers are then prompted to record trial, and applied in vivo daily to the eyes of Despite suspecting a genetic determinant
their medication details in a downloadable lambs with cataract, over a 67- and 97-day for this, no statistically significant correlation
medicines list, or print this information to period, respectively. was found between several polymorphisms
discuss with their health professional. The ointment formulation significantly analysed and the level of IOP elevation
Updated monthly, the resource contains slowed the rate of cataract progression following IVTA.
information about medications listed on during the first month of treatment but later Researchers said the exact reason for pa-
the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. In- observations proved its effect unsustainable. tients’ response to IVTA remained unclear.
formation on over-the-counter and herbal The eye-drop treatment showed no ability to One of the authors, Elizabeth Fini, said in
therapies is not included. slow the rate of cataract progression. a presentation at Hawaiian Eye 2009 that
The NPS Medicine Name Finder is certain polymorphisms identified in the study
1. Lee H, Morton J, Robertson L et al. Evaluation of a
available at www.nps.org.au/medicine_ novel calpain inhibitor as a treatment for cataract.
could lead to new outflow mechanisms and
name_finder. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2008; 36: 852-860. act as drug targets for lowering IOP.
Dr Fini’s presentation included informa-
tion about studies highlighting the capability
Contact lens drug delivery of genetics to predict a patient’s response
to IOP-lowering medication.
Drug delivery and IOP monitoring (3.5 µg, 14 µg and 21 µg).
1. Gerzenstein S, Pletcher M, Cervino A et al.
through contact lenses are the latest Further studies from the company aim to Glucocorticoid receptor polymorphisms and
developments in glaucoma manage- explore the effectiveness of higher doses of intraocular pressure response to intravitreal
triamcinolone acetonide. Ophthalmic Genetics
ment to help patients who do not latanoprost, a drug which is also the active 2008; 29: 4: 166-170.
adhere to treatment. ingredient of a new product claiming to
The contact lens uses sustained time- enhance eyelash growth.
­release doses of glaucoma medication, Investigators of the study said that the
and performs continuous IOP checks and plug’s retention rate needed to improve to
telemetry, according to a report in Primary keep it in place more than 90 per cent of
Care Optometry News in January 2009. the time to make it more effective.
The US Food and Drug Administration is
trialling the drug delivery system of the lens
for its safety and efficiency.
The technology used is The Punctum
Ocular nutrition series launched
Plug Delivery System (QLT Inc, Vancou- American journal Review of Optometry articles published within the series, related
ver) and the Triggerfish Continuous IOP has launched a year-long series of ar- literature on ocular health and nutrition, and
Monitoring system (Sensimed, Lausanne, ticles focusing on the impact of vitamins information on research studies.
Switzerland). and nutrition on ocular health. The website is available at http://www.
QLT conducted its own clinical trial of Beginning in February 2009 and entitled ocularnutritionatoz.com.
the plug with 61 people who received ‘Ocular Nutrition from A to Z’, the series Practitioners can receive monthly emails
different dosages of latanoprost over 12 provides information to raise awareness advising them of the latest information about
weeks. Mean IOP reduction was 20 per and understanding of nutrition relating to vitamins, supplements and nutrition.
cent among patients who completed the eye health. The series is supported by Bausch and
study and across the three dosage groups A website has been launched with links to Lomb.

optometry pharma June 2009

 19

Taking on the
French resistance
A multimillion euro public health campaign in France has yielded
a significant decline in the prescribing of oral antibiotic drugs

1. To increase public awareness with general practitioners. The Ministry of Health

Nicole Leong the catchphrase ‘Les antibiotiques, c’est also co-ordinated visits to each doctor’s
BScOptom PGCertOculTher FVCO pas automatique’ (Antibiotics, they’re not practice to remind them of the recommenda-
automatic). The broadcast of television ad- tions of the national plan.
vertisements and radio messages are aimed Other European countries have also
to ‘déconditionné’ (decondition) the public implemented similar public awareness
Recent articles in the French media of its beliefs that minor ailments, which are campaigns. The United Kingdom conducted
have reported that the consumption often viral in nature, require a prescription two Winter public awareness campaigns in
of oral antibiotic drugs in France has for antibiotics. 2004 and 2005, and reduced its antibiotic
declined markedly. Authorities at- 2. To provide doctors with easy access consumption by 5.8 per cent.
tribute this decline to the launch by to rapid diagnostic tests for throat ailments,
the Ministry of Health in 2002 of a which determine a viral or bacterial origin.
public awareness campaign regard- This ­ allows doctors to explain to patients
ing the prudent use of ­antibiotics. why they did not need antibiotics if their
Prior to 2002, France consumed the most illness was viral in nature.
antibiotics and had one of the highest rates 3. To target those doctors who were
of bacterial resistance in Europe. Before heavy prescribers of antibiotics and edu-
2002, 37 per cent of French patients with cate them on the appropriate use of these
a throat ailment requested a prescription for drugs. This was achieved by the organisa-
antibiotics, compared to the current figure of tion of ‘grand rounds’ type seminars at
23 per cent. Among French parents of sick which doctors could discuss clinical cases
children, 45 per cent asked for antibiotics and compare methods of practice; clinical
for their child before the campaign but workshops to train doctors in the use of the
now 25 per cent request a prescription for diagnostic tests and mail-outs to 60,000
antibiotics.
These recent reports suggest that a further
outcome from the campaign has been the
drop in bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
The percentage of Pneumococcus resist-
ant to penicillin was 47 per cent in 2001,
compared to 34.5 per cent in 2005; and in
hospitals, golden staph resistant to methicil-
lin has dropped from 33.4 per cent in 2001
to 26.7 per cent in 2006.
The public health campaign, which is
estimated to have cost 500 million euros
(about AU$1 billion), focused on three
specific areas.

optometry pharma June 2009

20

Letter from
New Zealand
The New Zealand Government introduced legislation to allow a new group of designated pre-
scribers but it had in mind nurses, not optometrists. Lesley Frederikson, national ­director
of the New Zealand Association of Optometrists, recalls that optometry threw a spanner in the
works when it too called for the right to prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents.

When the New Zealand Govern- Undeterred, we developed an applica- additional categories of health professional
ment put forward a Medicines tion for optometrist prescribing authority and other than medical practitioners. This was
Amendment Bill in December 1998 submitted it to the Minister of Health in May bracketed with the curious statement that
to establish a class of ‘designated 2000. A couple of months later, it was sent the NZMA believed that effective, efficient
prescriber’ that previously did not back to us with the advice that it could not and safe prescribing could exist only when
exist, it seemed like a golden op- be accepted as a formal application until we the health professional had the education,
portunity for the NZAO. The bill lum- had consulted widely on the proposal. training and experience to diagnose and
bered its way through all the usual Armed with a list of 40 organisations develop comprehensive care programs that
legislative steps and was passed that the Ministry of Health had suggested it were inclusive of prescribing.
into law the following year. would be important to consult, we published As it was the first time that optometry had

‘
undertaken this process in New Zealand,
we decided to append all the consultation
responses in their entirety as an appendix to
our application for independent prescribing
Since the development of the Auckland under- rights. When the application was resubmit-

’
graduate therapeutic course for optometry, the ted in February 2002, we addressed some
research and clinical interests of the departments of the issues that were raised as part of the
of optometry and ophthalmology at University of consultation process but in substance the
Auckland have become more closely aligned. application was pretty much the same as
version 1.
This was when optometry hit the first
major obstacle in its bid to access prescrib-
ing rights.
The application was made jointly in the
We sought further information from the a discussion document and sent it out with a names of the NZAO and the Department of
Ministry of Health only to have our hopes request for comment in August 2000. Optometry and Vision Science, University
dashed. There were no ‘applicable require- There were some interesting replies but of Auckland. The Terms of Reference for
ments’ relating to competency, qualifications mainly the responses were positive and this the New Prescribers Advisory Committee
or training specified in or imposed under gave us a good indication that other groups stated one of the objectives of the commit-
the regulations. In fact, no-one had even could see the advantages of optometrists tee was to establish generic criteria that
considered that the change would affect being able to treat the conditions that they any health professional group must meet
anyone other than nurses. diagnosed. in preparing an application for prescribing
The New Zealand Medical Association rights. However, the committee returned the
noted that it was opposed to the extension application, stating that it would accept ap-
of independent prescribing rights to any plications only from the registration bodies

optometry pharma June 2009

 21

for health professions and not the profes- 2002 with the news that she had agreed to Auckland, the Minister of Health displayed
sions themselves. extend prescribing rights to optometrists for great satisfaction in presenting certificates
In May 2002, we were permitted to sub- the therapeutic medicines. These were limited to the first optometric prescribers.
mit an application for optometrist independ- to topical ocular anti-infective preparations, The Auckland program has been instru-
ent prescribing rights from the NZAO and topical anti-inflammatory preparations, other mental in developing good working and
the Department of Optometry and Vision anti-inflammatory preparations including teaching relations between optometry
Science, with the support of the Optometrists non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cy- and ophthalmology in New Zealand with
and Dispensing Opticians Board. cloplegics, preparations for tear deficiency, students having clinical placements in public
We waited nervously until the New mydriatics and other eye preparations. hospitals and in private ophthalmology
Prescribers Advisory Committee released The minister deferred prescribing author- clinics.
its findings in August 2002. The committee ity for glaucoma preparations until further The program now includes education on
emergency care and patient revival skills;
Professor Charles McGhee of the Ophthal-
mology Department, University of Auckland,
and his ophthalmology colleagues contrib-
ute to the clinical teaching and the examina-
tions of therapeutic competence.
Since the development of the Auckland
undergraduate therapeutic course for
optometry, the research and clinical inter-
ests of the departments of optometry and
ophthalmology at University of Auckland
have become more closely aligned. More
recently we have seen the development
of the New Zealand National Eye Centre
involving ophthalmology and optometry as
the two principal partners.
In the end PHARMAC agreed to review
the methods of patient access to subsidies to
base them on patient and clinical attributes
New Zealand Minister of Health Annette King (centre) presented certificates to the rather than on prescriber status. The section
first optometric therapeutic graduates in 2004 on eye preparations was completed first and
from 1 October 2007 all prescribers were
treated equally in terms of patient access to
subsidised medicines.
recommended that the Minister of Health: investigation of the pharmacology courses The number of therapeutically endorsed
= Agree that optometrists be granted lim- was undertaken as the New Prescribers optometrists continues to rise and by June
ited independent prescribing authority Advisory Committee had identified concerns 2008 there were 176 optometrist prescrib-
and that they have access to the open about the ability of optometrists to identify ers spread around New Zealand. This
Pharmaceutical Schedule (PHARMAC)1 contraindications for use of certain glau- represents 37 per cent of the estimated
but be limited to those medicines relevant coma treatments based on other pre-existing full-time equivalent optometric workforce; a
to a defined scope of practice medical conditions. proportion that is increasing with each crop
= Agree that the applicant undertake Despite the inclusion of comprehensive of new graduates.
additional clarification of the scope of education relating to diagnosis, manage- The University of Auckland graduated
practice for optometrists regarding who ment and treatment of glaucoma in both 52 new optometrists from the class of 2008
can prescribe where and for whom the undergraduate and postgraduate which pushed the number of therapeutically
= Agree that the Opticians Board further therapeutics course, optometrists in New endorsed optometrists to more than 200 for
develop the register of optometrists with Zealand were not given independent pre- 2009. The postgraduate therapeutics pro-
prescribing authority scribing rights for glaucoma medication gram is now into its fifth course and among
= Agree that the applicants work with but they were granted access to all other established practitioners demand remains
experts to further progress the indicative topical ophthalmic medicines, including high for places.
list of medicines steroids.
1. The New Zealand Pharmaceutical Schedule is
= Agree that the applicants develop clini- The NZAO concluded that there was equivalent to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme
cal guidelines to ensure that prescribing more to the glaucoma issue than just con- of Australia
in an open environment has adequate cern about patient harm. In any event in
clinical safety mechanisms. October 2004, following graduation of the
The Minister of Health at the time, Annette first cohort of students from the postgraduate
King, wrote to the NZAO in November therapeutics program at the University of

optometry pharma June 2009

22

Reality check for

schizophrenic sufferers
Schizophrenia medication clozapine may be associated with Following the diagnosis the patient’s medication dosage was
ocular pigmentation, according to a case report published in r­ educed but she showed no improvement in vision and no change in
the Medical Journal of Australia.1 the level of pigmentation during an examination six months later.
A 55-year-old woman who had been prescribed long-term, high The authors said that none of the patient’s other medications was
dose clozapine and medications for other conditions, presented to a known to cause ocular pigmentation.
hospital eye clinic with progressively worsening vision. ‘Our patient had significant irreversible loss of vision … These
Examination revealed she was suffering several ocular compli- changes should be considered as possible side-effects of clozapine,
cations, including corneal and retinal pigmentation, an epiretinal particularly if it is given in high doses,’ they said.
membrane, macular atrophy and cataracts. She also demonstrated ‘If further similar cases become evident, patients on long-term
reduced cone function. clozapine therapy should be considered for regular ophthalmologi-
A diagnosis of presumed clozapine-related ocular pigmentation was cal review.’
made. The authors of the report said that this was the first instance that
1. Borovik A, Bosch M, Watson S. Ocular pigmentation associated with clozapine. MJA
they knew of pigmentation associated with clozapine. 2009; 190: 4: 210-211
They said that ocular pigmentation was a well-documented side-
effect of schizophrenia medication chlorpromazine, with clozapine
recommended as a substitute for patients experiencing pigmentation
from long-term chlorpromazine use.

Discuss glaucoma around

the family table
Melbourne glaucoma specialist Walland writes. ‘The recent move by a Walland refers to the Baltimore Eye Sur-
Mark Walland says glaucoma could vanguard of optometrists into therapeutics vey as an example of when IOP measure-
be more effectively identified if all and comanagement remains politically ments can be misleading or even irrelevant
Australians over 40 years of age vexed. Nonetheless, medical practitioners when diagnosing glaucoma.
had eye examinations and patients must accept and encourage the major This study found that 50 per cent of newly-
revealed their diagnosis to first- contribution to glaucoma detection that diagnosed patients had a ‘normal’ IOP
­degree relatives. optometrists make.’ on a single tonometry measurement, and
Speaking to Optometry Pharma, Walland Walland describes measuring only in- that in one-third to one-half of open-angle
said that although they were not obligated, traocular pressure to diagnose glaucoma glaucoma cases, the patient’s IOP was
it was desirable for family members to be as ‘an inadequate standard of care’, and considered to be in the normal range.
more open with relatives about their glau- says that while elevated IOP is frequently In addition to these cases that the authors
coma diagnosis, given the disease’s genetic associated with glaucoma, it is not the sole described as ‘normal pressure glaucoma’,
or partially inherited characteristics. indicator of the disease. Walland points out that patients with ocular
Walland makes these points in an edito- He says that there are other factors hypertension are another example of when
rial in the Medical Journal of Australia in involved in the diagnosis of glaucoma that certain IOP measurements and the presence
March 2008, in which he writes how it is should not be overlooked by eye health care of glaucoma do not correlate.
beneficial for optometrists to be involved in providers, and that with glaucoma being the He does not dismiss IOP measurements
the screening process. commonest preventable cause of blindness as being unnecessary when screening for
‘Optometrists are technologically in Australia, asking for a family history, as- glaucoma; he says that IOP remains ‘the
equipped and trained to detect and diag- sessing the optic disc and referring patients single biggest risk factor for glaucoma, and
nose eye disease, are frequently primary with positive findings represent opportunities its reduction is the cornerstone of all current
eye-care practitioners, and are numerous,’ to diminish its impact. treatment’.

optometry pharma June 2009

 23
#

PBS List of Medicines for Optometrists 14 May 2009

Antiglaucoma preparations
Product Max Repeats
qty
Antiglaucoma preparation
Betaxolol eye drops, suspension, 2.5 mg (as hydrochloride)/mL, 5 mL Betoptic S 1 5
Betaxolol eye drops, solution, 5 mg (as hydrochloride)/mL, 5 mL Betoptic
BetoQuin 1 5
Bimatoprost eye drops 300 mg/mL, 3 mL Lumigan 1 5
Brimonidine eye drops containing brimonidine tartrate 2 mg/mL, 5 mL Alphagan
Enidin 1 5
Brimonidine with Timolol eye drops containing brimonidine tartrate
2 mg with timolol 5 mg (as maleate)/mL, 5 mL Combigan 1 5
Brinzolamide eye drops 10 mg/mL, 5 mL Azopt
BrinzoQuin 1 5
Dorzolamide eye drops 20 mg (as hydrochloride)/mL, 5 mL Trusopt 1 5
Dorzolamide with Timolol eye drops containing dorzolamide
20 mg (as hydrochloride) with timolol 5 mg (as maleate)/mL, 5 mL Cosopt 1 5
Latanoprost eye drops 50 micrograms/mL, 2.5 mL Xalatan 1 5
Latanoprost with Timolol eye drops 50 micrograms latanoprost
with timolol 5 mg (as maleate)/mL, 2.5 mL Xalacom 1 5
Pilocarpine eye drops containing pilocarpine hydrochloride 10 mg/mL, 15 mL Isopto Carpine
Pilopt 1 5
PV Carpine
Pilocarpine eye drops containing pilocarpine hydrochloride 20 mg/mL, 15 mL Isopto Carpine
Pilopt 1 5
PV Carpine
Pilocarpine eye drops containing pilocarpine hydrochloride 40 mg/mL, 15 mL Isopto Carpine
Pilopt 1 5
PV Carpine
Pilocarpine eye drops containing pilocarpine hydrochloride 60 mg/mL, 15 mL Pilopt 1 5
PV Carpine
Timolol eye drops 2.5 mg (as maleate)/mL, 5 mL Tenopt
Timoptol 1 5
Timolol eye drops 5 mg (as maleate)/mL, 5 mL Tenopt
Timoptol 1 5
Timolol eye drops (gellan gum solution) 2.5 mg (as maleate)/mL, 2.5 mL Timoptol XE 1 5
Timolol eye drops (gellan gum solution) 5 mg (as maleate)/mL, 2.5 mL Timoptol XE 1 5
Timolol eye gel 1 mg (as maleate)/g, 5 g Nyogel 1 5
Travoprost eye drops 40 micrograms/mL, 2.5 mL Travatan 1 5
Travoprost with Timolol eye drops 40 micrograms travoprost with
timolol 5 mg (as maleate)/mL, 2.5 mL Duotrav 1 5

By writing a PBS prescription for an antiglaucoma agent, the prescriber is certifying that the criteria
set out in the PBS guidelines are satisfied

optometry pharma June 2009

24

PBS List of Medicines for Optometrists 14 May 2009

#
Product Restriction Max Repeats
qty
Anti-viral eye preparations Restricted:
Aciclovir eye ointment 30 mg per g (3%), 4.5 g Zovirax Herpes simplex keratitis 1 0
Antibiotics Unrestricted
Chloramphenicol eye drops 5 mg/mL (0.5%), 10 mL Chlorsig 1 2
Chloromycetin 1 2
Chloramphenicol eye ointment 10 mg/g (1%), 4 g Chlorsig 1 0
Chloromycetin 1 0
Sulfacetamide Sodium eye drops 100 mg per mL (10%), 15 mL Bleph-10 1 2
Anti-inflammatory agents Unrestricted
Fluorometholone eye-drops 1mg/mL (0.1%), 5mL Flucon 1 0
FML Liquifilm 1 0
Fluorometholone acetate eye-drops 1 mg/mL (0.1%), 5 mL Flarex 1 0
Flurbiprofen Sodium eye-drops 300 µg/mL (0.03%) Ocufen 1 0
single dose units 0.4 mL, 5
Hydrocortisone Acetate eye ointment 5 mg/g (0.5%), 5 g Hycor 1 0
Hydrocortisone Acetate eye ointment 10 mg/g (1%), 5 g Hycor 1 0
Anti-allergy agents Restricted:
Sodium cromoglycate eye-drops 20 mg/mL (2%), 10 mL Cromolux Vernal kerato-conjunctivitis 1 5
Opticrom 1 5
Topical ocular lubricants Restricted:
Carbomer 980 ocular lubricating gel 2 mg/g (0.2%), 10 g Geltears Severe dry eye inc Sjogren’s synd 1 5
PAA 1 5
Viscotears Liquid Gel 1 5
Carmellose sodium eye-drops 10 mg/mL (1%), 15 mL Refresh Liquigel 1 5
Carmellose sodium eye-drops 5 mg/mL (0.5%), 15 ml Refresh Tears plus 1 5
Hypromellose eye drops 3 mg/mL (0.3%), 15 mL In a Wink Moist’ing 1 5
(contains sodium perborate)
Genteal 1 5
Hypromellose eye-drops 5 mg/mL (0.5%), 15 mL Isopto Tears 1 5
Methopt 1 5
Hypromellose with Carbomer 980 ocular lubricating gel HPMC PAA 1 5
3 mg-2 mg/g (0.3-0.2%), 10 g
Genteal gel 1 5
Hypromellose with Dextran eye-drops 3 mg-1 mg/mL Poly-Tears 1 5
(0.3%-0.1%), 15 mL
Tears Naturale 1 5
Polyethylene glycol 400 with Propylene glycol drops Systane 1 5
4 mg-3 mg/mL (0.4-0.3%); 15 mL
Polyvinyl alcohol eye-drops 14 mg/mL (1.4%), 15 mL PVA Tears 1 5
Polyvinyl alcohol eye-drops 30 mg/mL (3%), 15 mL PVA Forte 1 5
Polyvinyl alcohol eye-drops 14 mg/mL (1.4%), 15 mL Liquifilm Tears 1 5
Polyvinyl alcohol eye-drops 30 mg/mL (3%), 15 mL Liquifilm Forte 1 5
Polyvinyl alcohol eye-drops 14 mg/mL (1.4%), 15 mL Vistil 1 5
(contains sodium chorite/hydrogen peroxide as preservative)
Polyvinyl alcohol eye-drops 30 mg/mL (3%), 15 mL Vistil Forte 1 5
(contains sodium chorite/hydrogen peroxide as preservative)
Unpreserved unit dose ocular lubricants Authority required:
Carbomer 974 ocular lubricating gel 3 mg/g (0.3%), Poly Gel Severe dry eye syndrome 3 5
single dose units 0.5 g, 30 in patients sensitive to
Carbomer 980 eye-drops 2 mg per (0.2%) , Viscotears preservatives in multi-dose 3 5
single dose units 0.6 mL, 30 eye-drops
Carmellose sodium eye-drops 5 mg/mL (0.5%), Cellufresh 3 5
single dose units 0.4 mL, 30
Carmellose sodium eye-drops 10 mg/mL (1%) , Celluvisc 3 5
single dose unit 0.4 mL, 30
Carmellose sodium eye-drops 2.5 mg/mL (0.25%), TheraTears 4 5
single dose units, 0.6 mL, 24
Carmellose sodium ocular lubricating gel 10 mg/mL TheraTears 3 5
(1%), single dose 0.6 mL, 28
Hypromellose with Dextran eye-drops 3-1 mg/mL Bion Tears 3 5
(0.3-0.1%), single 0.4 mL, 28
Tamarindus indica seed polysaccharide eye-drops Visine Professional 3 5
10 mg/mL, 0.5 mL, 20
Polyethylene glycol 400 with Propylene glycol drops Systane 3 5
4 mg-3 mg/mL (0.4-0.3%); single dose units 0.7 mL, 28
Topical ocular lubricant ointments Unrestricted
Paraffin compound eye ointment 3.5 g Polyvisc 2 5
Paraffin pack containing 2 tubes compound eye ointment 3.5 g Polyvisc (2 pack) 1 5
Paraffin compound eye ointment 3.5 g Duratears 2 5
Paraffin pack containing 2 tubes compound eye ointment 3.5 g Ircal (2 pack) 1 5
Lacri-Lube (2 pack) 1 5

optometry pharma June 2009

 Controlled substances that may be used or
#

prescribed by optometrists
Ocular Medicine Vic Tas Qld NSW & NT SA WA* PBS PBS
ACT Optometry Listed

Anti-infectives
Chloramphenicol       —  
Ciprofloxacin    —   — — 
Framycetin       —  
Gentamicin sulfate    —   — — 
Ofloxacin    —   — — 
Sulfacetamide         
Tetracycline       — N/L N/L
Tobramycin    —   — — 
Aciclovir    —   —  

Anti-inflammatories
Dexamethasone    —   — — 
Fluorometholone       —  
Fluorometholone acetate       —  
Hydrocortisone       —  
Prednisolone    —   — — 
Diclofenac       — N/L N/L
Flurbiprofen       —  
Ketorolac       — N/L N/L

Decongestants & anti-allergics

Ketotifen        N/L N/L
Levocabastine        N/L N/L
Lodoxamide        N/L N/L
Olopatadine       — N/L N/L
Sodium cromoglycate         

Anti-glaucoma preparations
Apraclonidine       — — 
Betaxolol       —  
Bimatoprost       —  
Brimonidine       —  
Brinzolamide       —  
Dorzolamide       —  
Latanoprost       —  
Pilocarpine       —  
Timolol       —  
Travoprost       —  
Timolol+Bimatoprost       —  N/L
Timolol+Brimonidine       —  
Timolol+Dorzolamide       —  
Timolol+Latanoprost       —  
Timolol+Travoprost       —  

Mydriatics & cycloplegics

Atropine       — — 
Cyclopentolate  D     D N/L N/L
Homatropine  D     — — 
Pilocarpine    —   — — 
Phenylephrine       — N/L N/L
Tropicamide  D     D N/L N/L

Local anaesthetics
Amethocaine  D     — N/L N/L
Lignocaine  D — —   — N/L N/L
Oxybuprocaine  D     D N/L N/L
Proxymetacaine  D     D N/L N/L

 The use of these medicines by optometrists is currently being considered

* Optometrists in Western Australia do not have access to the PBS
D Diagnostic use only
N/L Substance is not listed under the PBS
 FORESIGHT
[ ] the ability to see into the future
and be alert to the signs ahead

Never has it been more vital to test for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD is now the leading cause of blindness in Australia.1,6 Lucentis offers
real hope to those diagnosed with wet AMD. 2,3,5
Already helping thousands maintain independent lives, Lucentis is proven
to help patients gain and sustain vision.2,3,4 Some patients treated report
improvement as early as 7 days after treatment.2
Because early detection and treatment
of AMD can significantly improve future
outcomes, 1,2,3
your referral today could
2,3,5
save your patient’s sight tomorrow.

PBS Dispensed Price: $1975.93. Please refer to the Product Information before prescribing. Product Information is available from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Limited or visit www.novartis.com.au. For further information
please contact Medical Information & Communication on 1800 671 203. Indication: Treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 0.5 mg or 0.3 mg is recommended to be administered by intravitreal injection once a month. Dosage
and administration: Recommended dose is 0.5 mg (0.05 mL) or 0.3 mg (0.03 mL) given monthly. Interval between doses should not be shorter than 1 month. Treatment might be reduced to one injection every 3 months after the first three injections but, compared to continued
monthly doses, dosing every 3 months may lead to an approximate 5-letter (1-line) loss of visual acuity benefit, on average, over the following 9 months. Patients should be evaluated regularly. Must be administered by a qualified ophthalmologist using aseptic techniques. Broad-
spectrum topical microbicide and anaesthetic should be administered prior to injection. Patient should self-administer antimicrobial drops four times daily for 3 days before and after each injection. Not recommended in children and adolescents. Contraindications:Hypersensitivity
to product components, active or suspected ocular or periocular infections, active intraocular inflammation. Precautions: Intravitreal injections have been associated with endophthalmitis, intraocular inflammation, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, retinal tear and iatrogenic
traumatic cataract. Proper aseptic injection techniques must be used. Monitor patients during the week following injection to permit early treatment if an infection occurs. Intraocular pressure and perfusion of the optic nerve head must be monitored and managed appropriately. Safety
and efficacy of administration to both eyes concurrently have not been studied. There is a potential risk of arterial thromboembolic events following intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors. A numerically higher stroke rate was observed in patients treated with ranibizumab 0.5mg compared
to ranibizumab 0.3mg or control, however, the differences were not statistically significant. Patients with known risk factors for stroke, including history of prior stroke or transient ischaemic attack, should be carefully evaluated by their physicians as to whether Lucentis treatment is
appropriate and the benefit outweighs the potential risk. As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity with Lucentis. No formal interaction studies have been performed. Should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly needed; use of effective contraception
recommended for women of childbearing potential; breastfeeding not recommended. Patients who experience temporary visual disturbances following treatment must not drive or use machines until these subside. Side effects: Very common: Conjunctival haemorrhage, eye
pain, vitreous floaters, retinal haemorrhage, intraocular pressure increased, vitreous detachment, intraocular inflammation, eye irritation, cataract, foreign body sensation in eyes, lacrimation increased, visual disturbance, blepharitis, subretinal fibrosis, ocular hyperaemia, visual
acuity blurred/decreased, dry eye, vitritis, eye pruritis, nasopharyngitis, headache, arthralgia. Common: Ocular discomfort, eyelid oedema, eyelid pain, conjunctival hyperaemia, posterior capsule opacification, punctate keratitis, corneal abrasion, anterior chamber flare, injection
site haemorrhage, eye haemorrhage, retinal exudates, injection site reactions, conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis allergic, eye discharge, photopsia, photophobia, maculopathy, detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium retinal degeneration, retinal disorder, retinal detachment, retinal
tear, retinal pigment epithelium tear, vitreous haemorrhage, vitreous disorder, uveitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, cataract subcapsular, influenza, anaemia, anxiety, stroke, cough, nausea, allergic reactions (rash, urticaria, pruritis, erythema). Uncommon: Keratopathy, iris adhesions, corneal
deposits, dellen, corneal striae, injection site pain, injection site irritation, abnormal sensation in eye, hyphema, cataract nuclear, angle closure glaucoma, endophthalmitis, eyelid irritation, blindness, corneal oedema, hypopyon. Rare but serious adverse reactions related to
intravitreal injections include endophthalmitis, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, retinal tear and iatrogenic traumatic cataract. *Please note changes to Product Information in italics. 1. Bressler NM. J Am Board Fam Pract 2002;15:142-152. 2. Rosenfeld PJ, et al. N
Engl J Med. 2006;355:1419-1431. 3. Brown DM, et al. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:1432-1444. 4. LUCENTIS Approved Product Information. 5. Chang TS, et al. Arch Ophthalmol. 2007;125:1460-1469. 6. Attebo K, et al. Ophthalmol.
1996, 103: 357-364. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Limited, ABN 18 004 244 160. 54 Waterloo Road, North Ryde NSW 2113. ® Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Limited. NVO_LUC65_11/2008. Bluedesk LUC3C.

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