From a $2.9 million false claim allegation to three deaths linked to bacterial infections caused by artificial tears, here are 10 ophthalmology updates since March 6. 

Pharmedica and Apotex voluntarily recalled several lots of their products due to contamination risks, according to the FDA.

Arlington, Texas-based ophthalmology provider Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers will pay $2.9 million to resolve false claim allegations that it paid kickbacks to optometrists to induce referrals of cataract surgery patients. 

Global Pharma Healthcare recalled its Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, distributed by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma, last month after they were linked to a rare strain of bacteria, according to a March 22 report from NBC affiliate KSL TV.

Winter Park (Fla.) Ophthalmology has joined management services company Ascend Vision Partners. 

The Federal Trade Commission is holding a public workshop on May 18 to allow comments on its proposed update to the Ophthalmic Practice Rules, commonly known as the Eyeglass Rule, which would require ophthalmologists and optometrists to get a signed statement from patients confirming the receipt of a prescription copy. 

Sustained drug delivery company Ripple Therapeutics is expanding outside of the ophthalmology space through a partnership with contract developer and manufacturer Hovione. 

Las Vegas is the best paying city for ophthalmologists of any experience level regardless of practice setting, according to the Medscape Salary Explorer.

New York City-based Vitreoretinal Consultants has acquired Retina Consultations in Bronxville, N.Y., adding physicians Charles Mango, MD, and Steven Bodine, MD, to its list of providers.

The University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington is moving its outpatient ophthalmology and dermatology clinics as part of a $35 million project, CBS affiliate WCAX reported March 14. 

In November, it was reported that global healthcare company Novartis was considering the potential sale of its ophthalmology business. 

The Cameron-Ehlen Group, an ophthalmological distributor doing business as Precision Lenses, has been ordered by a Minnesota jury to pay $43 million for allegedly violating anti-kickback laws, according to a March 9 report from JD Supra.

Paul Wyatt, MD, has been sentenced to prison for performing ophthalmology surgeries after his medical license was suspended in 2016, KSL reported March 9. 

Ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company TearSolutions has established a strategic advisory board, appointed five opinion leaders to its medical advisory board and promoted James Cook to chief development officer. 

Ophthalmology biotechnology company EyeBio has made several appointments to its senior leadership team this year, according to a March 6 news release: 

A new bill would allow specially trained optometrists in Idaho to perform three kinds of laser surgeries, ABC affiliate KIVI-TV reported March 3. 

Management services organization Unifeye Vision Partners was formed in 2017 by a partnership between private equity firm Waud Capital and Bloomington-based Minnesota Eye Consultants. Since 2017, Unifeye has grown to 42 clinic locations and 11 ASCs. 

Unifeye Vision Partners partnered with Premier Surgery Center in Santa Maria, Calif.

OCLI Vision, an ophthalmology practice backed by management services organization Spectrum Vision Partners, has added its first practice in Westchester County, N.Y., with the acquisition of Hawthorne-based Hudson Valley Eye Associates. 

A federal jury has found Precision Lens, a cataract surgery lens distribution company, along with its majority owner Paul Ehlen liable for $43 million in illegal kickbacks, StarTribune reported Feb. 28.