February 2025

Last month I shared with you the importance of society membership to protect and advance our profession.  Together with the California Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association, we collaborate and strategize on how to best serve our members.

Once a year, all the societies that comprise the California Optometric Association gather over a 2-day period to vote for our COA representatives, discuss current legislative agendas, recognize the efforts of the local societies, and bring forth any concerns with the current state of our profession.  This meeting is called the House of Delegates and this year we will meet on February 7-8 in Santa Clara. The SDCOS will send a delegation to represent our membership to assure that we have a voice in the future of Optometry in California.  Please consider signing up to be a delegate next year so you can experience first-hand the inner workings of the COA….it’s actually quite interesting!

In my previous message I also mentioned our first CE of the year on February 13th at 6pm at our new meeting site located in the offices of WESTPAC Wealth Partners in Sorrento Valley.  As a reminder, this is free to members and non-members.  You are encouraged to reach out to a colleague that is not a member and invite him or her to see for themselves all the benefits of membership and why belonging to the local society matters. Please register by February 10th and remember, we are stronger together!

Hope to see you all on February 13th!

John C. Pack,O.D.
President SDCOS 2025
(619) 806-1282
jpackod@yahoo.com
 

OD Relations Liaison

Please contact Dr. Lucia Millet, OD, Society Optometrist Relations Liaison at odjobs@sdcos.org to be put on an official list for the following:

  • fill-in/part-time work
  • full-time work
  • purchase/partner in/sell a practice

This service is offered free of charge to SDCOS members.

Upcoming CE Meeting

Thursday, February 13

NEW LOCATION: WestPac Headquarters: 5280 Carroll Canyon Rd Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92121
https://www.westpacwealth.com/

Gary Gerber, O.D.- Myopia Management Secrets Unlocked (1HR)

Kimberly Cockerham, M.D.- Neuro Pearls and Pitfalls (30 min)

Catherine Sheils, M.D.- Glaucoma (30 min)

Looking for Volunteers for these future events:

SDCOS School Screenings at all 12 of the South Bay schools. School locations will be announced as we get closer (all located in South Bay)
(8 am-12pm)

Wednesday February 19th (2025)

Monday March 17th (2025)

 VSP Eyes of Hope Mobile Vision Clinic 4/29-5/2 San Diego County, Juvenile Court and Community Schools

  1. Tuesday 4/29/25 from 10:00 am-2:30 pm
    South County
    ARTS
    200 East 12 th St.
    National City, CA 91950

  2. Wednesday 4/30/25 from 9:30 am-3:00 pm
    San Diego Central/Metro Region
    37ECB
    3720 El Cajon Blvd.
    San Diego, CA 91950

  3. Thursday 5/1/25 from 9:00 am-2:00 pm
    East County
    ECCS
    924 East Main St.
    El Cajon, CA 92021

  4. Friday 5/2/25 from 9:00 am -2:00 pm
    North County
    NCREC
    255 Pico Ave.
    San Marcos, CA 92069


If interested, please contact Bob Meisel
rmeisel47@gmail.com
(C) 619-818-3031

Meet a Member

Alyssa Pack, O.D.

From: Chula Vista

Schooling: UCI class of 2016
SCCO class 2020

Work: Pack and Bianes Vision Care Eastlake and EyeCare at the Cove Optometry

Favorite Specialty: Myopia Management

Hobbies: Spending time with my dog Mako and husband Justin, practicing aerial yoga, and eating my way through San Diego

Pearl of Wisdom: Learn how to fail fast. The most successful entrepreneurs understand that failing fast isn’t about accepting defeat—it’s about accelerating learning. In an optometry business, every operational hiccup, marketing misstep, or inefficiency is a chance to adapt and improve. The faster you identify what doesn’t work, the sooner you can refine your patient experience, streamline operations, and build a thriving practice. Success isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about using it as a stepping stone to grow.

Retina Corner

Chipping Away at GA

By Nikolas J.S. London, MD FACS
President and CEO, Retina Consultants San Diego

Dear SDCOS,

I hope all are doing well. In my last article I reviewed one of our ongoing clinical trials for geographic atrophy (GA) – ARCHERII, which is evaluating an upstream complement inhibitor and showed exciting promise as the first molecule to demonstrate visual protection likely due to its neutoprotective mechanism of action. This month I wanted to discuss some of the other ongoing GA trials that we have. I am a nerd about these so I apologize in advance if I geek out. We currently have several trials in addition to ARCHERII, ranging sufficiently in enrollment criteria and/or protocol to make them excellent potential options for patients who want something different than our currently available medications, pegcetacoplan (Syfovre, Apellis Pharmaceuticals) and avacincaptad pegol (Izervay, Astellas Pharma) which reduce GA growth by about 20% and require intravitreal injections every one to two months.

One of those studies is RENEW from Stealth Biotherapeutics. RENEW differentiates itself in a very exciting way. While all currently available and most investigational GA treatments require an intravitreal injection, RENEW is evaluating subcutaneous elamipretide – a skin injection that patients administer daily at home. Moreover, given that this is a systemic treatment BOTH eyes will be treated. The mechanism of action is also very interesting and boils down to enhancing mitochondrial function which has also been shown to potentially improve exercise performance. Who knows if this may be a side benefit. A large range of GA patients could be eligible and the enrollment criteria are unique in allowing patients with even very small lesions.

Another fascinating study that is coming up very soon is JADE from Boehringer Ingelheim (BI). JADE is evaluating a small molecule that is administered orally and inhibits platelet-activating-receptors, which trigger pathways involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, and vascular permeability. Oral medications are very familiar to patients, and this may be an excellent option for those preferring to avoid intravitreal and/or subcutaneous injections. We expect this study to be enrolling as of March.

Finally, I wanted to mention VERDANT which is another study from BI and is currently enrolling. VERDANT is evaluating a molecule that has a very similar mechanism of action to pegcetocoplan – the most effective of our currently available options. However, the molecule is smaller than pegcetocoplan and, as such, is proposed to have improved penetration into the retina and RPE hopefully resulting in enhanced efficacy. This may be the most potent of all current options but what I like most is that the comparator group in the study is pegcetocoplan. Not only does this imply to me that BI feels confident in the medication, but also that no matter what the patient will receive active treatment in the trial. The chance of receiving placebo can be a significant disincentive.

Like all of our clinical trials, those above are independent of insurance and patients have zero cost to be involved. Transportation is provided, hopefully making participation as easy as possible. If you have any patients who you think might be interested, please let us know and we would be more than happy to help determine their eligibility.

As always, thanks so much for reading this month’s article. I hope that it was informative and enjoyable. I am a nerd about this stuff and realize not everyone shares my nerdiness! Please feel free to reach out anytime via text, email, or call. My contact information is below. I am always happy to chat about Retina or even just to say hello. As always, we are here to help as best we can.

Best wishes, and until next time,
Nik

Nikolas London, MD, FACS
Retina Consultants San Diego
415-341-5456 (cell)
london@rcsd.com
www.rcsd.com

Classifieds

Optometric Office in Escondido for lease.  Three operatories, a lab, large front office area, testing rooms, dispensing optician area, large waiting room, contacts room, lounge, ADA restroom, and 2,044 square feet.  Currently occupied by North County Eye Center and available May 2025.  Contact Jim at jimlund08@gmail.com or at (760) 747-7800. (02/24)

Moreno Valley High Visibility Well-Established Optometry Practice. Well-established high visibility optometry practice grossing 500K with more room to grow. Contact Frank - 425-985-8390 or frank@omni-pg.com Lic.#2091491 (CAO114)

NDA Request: https://listings.omni-pg.com/nda-request-form (02/24)

Professional Optometric practice for sale, Ramona, California. Dr. is retiring after 45  years. All offers considered. Current owner has been working with visually impaired children, her granddaughter included. She has a standard life teaching credential as well as her optometry license. Please call (760) 315-2761 if interested. (12/24)

Part-Time Optometrist Needed, Half Day Shifts: We are offering an excellent opportunity for a dedicated Optometrist to join our highly-rated and stress-free practice. Enjoy highly competitive pay, including bonuses, for working just 2 to 3 half-day shifts per week. Our environment is professional yet relaxed, as evidenced by our excellent reviews and the satisfaction of our patients, making your work hours a breeze. If you are motivated and passionate about eye care, we would love to hear from you.  Fluency in Spanish is preferred.  Please submit your resume to bnemati@earthlink.net or contact us via text at 858-504-2020 to apply. (5/24)

Busy Private Practice looking for an associate OD in San Diego and Camp Pendleton military base. Generous base pay plus easy daily bonus pay. Please send resume and questions to:  marineeyecare@gmail.com (12/24)

Build Ownership in a Growing Optometry Practice, Even as a New Grad. Growing Practice at the Heart of San Diego with a 25+ Year Veteran of the Optometry Profession, with a successful history of growing multiple practices, is seeking a motivated, self-starter, entrepreneurial optometrist to join a growing optometry practice in City Heights. Practice is in a custom modern office setting, with great visibility and a proven track record of success for medical practices. Working knowledge of Spanish is preferred. Opportunity to get involved (even as a New Grad) in a growing eye care practice from the ground up, earning equity toward part or full ownership. Please email your resume to spousti@live.com (2/24)

Looking for a motivated business-minded optometrist who is tired of the daily grind of a corporate practice, and wants to be their own boss while building equity. Our dynamic, high-potential private optometry practice is seeking an optometrist who is passionate about providing exceptional eye care and looking to take their career to the next level. With us, you won’t have to work 9 hours a day in a corporate practice, just to make a modest $500-$600 per day. Instead, you can earn much more and work just a quarter of the time you would have to spend in a corporate practice. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to build equity in the practice, meaning your hard work will pay off in the long run. If you’re ready to add a second location or if you are a new grad, we want to hear from you. Please email us at: spousti@live.com (2/24)

Wanted: Used, good condition, Retinal Camera and Autorefractor. We are looking for a reliable non-mydriatic retinal camera and autorefractor for our optometry practice. If you have recently upgraded and no longer need your used one, we appreciate you reaching out to us. Thank you. spousti@live.com (2/24)

Exceptional Opportunity: Thriving Optometry Practice & Prime Medical Office Building in San Diego FOR SALE, with the REAL ESTATE. Unlock the potential of your optometry career with this golden opportunity! Highly profitable and growing optometry practice for sale in Central San Diego, together with its modern Medical Office Building. Discover the perfect blend of profitability and growth in this dynamic location (the second most active redevelopment zone, after downtown, in San Diego). Whether you're starting a new practice or expanding an established one, this is your chance to shine in a highly dense area, strategically positioned near more than 80 schools and 9 minutes from Downtown San Diego, and surrounded by 4 major freeways. Step into the future of healthcare with a contemporary medical office building, featuring three separate suites, that can be joined if needed into one big clinic and a total of 7 highly upgraded and move-in ready exam rooms. What sets it apart? Half of this impressive structure can be leased to other medical professionals, delivering a steady income stream, while the other half continues to house the thriving optometry practice. Seize the moment to drive your practice's growth while building equity in a high-potential, modern commercial real estate property. This isn't just an opportunity; it's a game-changer for those who dream big. For more details, please reach out via email (bnemati@earthlink.net).  (2/24)

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