Qlosi Eye Drops for Presbyopia Do Not Reduce Optical Sales or Practice Performance
Prescribing Qlosi eye drops for presbyopia does not decrease optical sales or reduce other key practice performance metrics, according to a study presented at Optometry’s Meeting in Phoenix. Data from a multi-center pilot study involving 111 participants indicated that optical lens purchases remained stable after the introduction of the pilocarpine 0.4% ophthalmic solution, with 71.6% of patients purchasing glasses compared to a 68.8% corporate baseline.
Did You Know? The study identified candidates for the Qlosi trial opportunistically during routine visits, providing them with a “Clear Start Kit” containing 10 single-use vials to assess the impact of the medication on patient behavior and practice revenue.
Impact on Practice Performance
The study, conducted by West Point Optical Group, aimed to address concerns that offering a presbyopia-correcting drop might cannibalize sales of traditional optical products. Findings showed that the introduction of Qlosi did not negatively impact billable encounters or optical purchases. Instead, researchers noted that the comprehensive nature of the patient visit—which included detailed discussions regarding various vision correction options—appeared to reinforce the value of traditional eyewear.
Beyond optical sales, other performance indicators showed improvement. New medical diagnoses rose to 24.5% from the established corporate baseline of 18.3%. Additionally, the utilization of ultra-widefield imaging increased from 69.2% to 85.6% during the pilot period.
Expert Insight
Expert Insight: Harmin J. Chima, vice president of professional services at West Point Optical Group, suggests that the increased use of ultra-widefield imaging reflects a shift in patient mindset. Patients interested in innovative treatments like Qlosi often demonstrate higher receptivity to the overall examination experience and advanced diagnostic tools, turning the introduction of new therapies into an asset for the practice rather than a financial threat.
Future Outlook for Optometric Practices
The results suggest that integrating pharmaceutical solutions for presbyopia into a standard optometric workflow is unlikely to disrupt traditional revenue streams. As clinics consider adopting similar prescribing pathways, the data indicates that such drops may function as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, traditional vision correction. If these real-world trends hold, practitioners may continue to see stable or improved performance metrics while offering patients a broader range of clinical options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the primary concerns regarding Qlosi and practice revenue?
Physicians were concerned that prescribing presbyopia drops would lead to fewer billable encounters and a reduction in patient purchases of glasses.
How did optical sales compare to the established baseline?
Optical sales remained comparable; 71.6% of participants who were prescribed Qlosi purchased optical lenses, while the corporate baseline stood at 68.8%.
Did the study show any negative impact on other practice metrics?
No. According to Alan G. Kabat, medical director at Orasis Pharmaceuticals, every tracked key performance indicator either held steady or improved relative to the corporate benchmarks.
How do you balance the introduction of new pharmaceutical treatments with the need to maintain traditional optical services in your own healthcare experience?