Press Releases

May 28, 2025

Alcon announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved TRYPTYR® (acoltremon ophthalmic solution) 0,003%, formerly known as AR-15512, for the treatment of signs and symptoms of Dry Eye Disease.

“In clinical trials, I found the mechanism of action of this novel eye drop to be highly effective in stimulating TRPM8 receptors, which leads to reducing corneal pain while also increasing the eye’s natural tear production. I am honored to have worked on multiple clinical trials to help this new eye drop gain FDA approval, so it is available to my patients, and all dry eye sufferers”, said Guru R. Pattar, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator.

The eye drop will be available by prescription in single-use vials, one drop per eye, two times a day. It is expected to be available by the fall of 2025.

“This marks our 23^rd FDA approval. Along with our sponsoring scientific research partners, including those in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space, we have several new treatments pending before the FDA so there are many more announcements to come, as we are pleased to continue to offer new treatment options and to help improve human health through our Louisville, KY-based clinical trials site, Butchertown Clinical Trials,” said Mark Prussian, CEO and co-founder.

Butchertown Clinical Trials is an affiliate of The Eye Care Institute.

Bausch + Lomb Corporation announced, during April 2024,  the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved LUMIFY® Preservative Free redness reliever eye drops, the first and only over-the-counter preservative-free eye drop with low-dose OTC brimonidine tartrate for the treatment of ocular redness due to minor eye irritations.

“LUMIFY Preservative Free significantly reduces redness within one minute and lasts up to eight hours,” said John Ferris, executive vice president, Consumer, Bausch + Lomb.

Now available, this over-the-counter (OTC) eyedrop underwent clinical trials at Butchertown Clinical Trials, with Dr. Guruprasad R. Pattar, MD, PhD of The Eye Care Institute as the Principal Investigator.

Although OTC products do not necessarily have to undergo strict clinical trial protocols, nor is FDA approval typically required, this product did so as it contains a small quantity of a prescription medication called brimonidine tartrate, most often used to treat open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. In the small quantity used in Lumify PF .025%, brimonidine tartrate acts to relieve ocular redness. With the addition of Lumify PF .025% I have the confidence to strongly recommend this OTC product to my patients seeking relief from red eyes, said Dr. Emily Ebelhar, OD, also of The Eye Care Institute, who served as Sub Investigator. This marks the 22^nd FDA approval for Butchertown Clinical Trials, an affiliate of The Eye Care Institute.

The Eye Care Institute, and our sister company, Butchertown Clinical Trials, proudly announce that we have been named a Top Workplace in Kentucky by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Workforce Research Group.

“Our ‘We Are The Yes Practice’ model emphasizes meeting patient expectations and offers a superior working environment to our employees. This is best achieved when patient needs are addressed first, without sacrificing our staff’s best interest,” said Mark Prussian, CEO of The Eye Care Institute and Butchertown Clinical Trials. “The ‘Yes Practice’ model stresses patient and staff well-being. It offers our doctors career satisfaction and motivates their ability to provide excellent patient care.”

“The varying backgrounds and experiences of our staff strengthen us as a healthcare organization. Therefore, we commit to always hiring the best candidate for each open position. Employing well-rounded people, offering fair pay and benefits, meeting the work/life needs of our staff, and providing continuous training results in our staff having a sense of pride in their workplaces, and this results in a better patient experience,” Prussian continued.

The inclusion of The Eye Care Institute and Butchertown Clinical Trials as a Top Workplace reflects our ongoing dedication to staff contentment and consistent efforts to improve the workplace experience. “We believe patients of The Eye Care Institute are well-served by these commitments, as we have nearly 2,000 5-star Google reviews,” Prussian said.