J-Codes are CMS billing designations that allow physicians to be reimbursed directly for drugs administered in their offices. The assignment of a permanent J-Code removes a longstanding practical barrier to routine use of IOPIDINE 1% for office-based procedures, making it administratively and economically feasible for physicians to incorporate IOPIDINE 1% into standard glaucoma and ophthalmic laser procedure workflows.
Addressing a Well-Defined Clinical Need
IOPIDINE 1% is the only FDA-approved product indicated to prevent intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes following ophthalmic procedures, including in-office laser procedures such as Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG), Nd capsulotomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI), and others. With its established efficacy and safety profile, IOPIDINE 1% is positioned to be the front-line standard of care—administered at the time of the procedure, to help mitigate risk before IOP elevations occur.
IOP spikes, sudden, acute elevations in pressure inside the eye, are a recognized complication of these procedures. In patients who experience significant spikes, symptoms can include sudden eye pain, blurred vision, nausea, and, in vulnerable patients, optic nerve damage. Prophylactic use of IOPIDINE 1% has been shown to reduce severe IOP spikes from approximately 23% in untreated patients to approximately 2%, a roughly 91% relative risk reduction.i
Dr. Ben Gaddie, OD, added, "Optometrists are the front-line physicians diagnosing and managing glaucoma in the United States, and increasingly, performing laser procedures such as YAGs, SLTs, and LPIs. I am thrilled to now have reimbursed access to an on-label therapy to best ensure my patients are protected from intraocular pressure spikes. I truly appreciate Harrow's commitment to helping my patients gain affordable access to sight-preserving products like Iopidine 1%."
"This is ultimately about removing friction—for physicians and for patients," said Dr. Jason Bacharach, MD. "As a glaucoma specialist, having a reimbursed, in-office option means I can treat patients in real time as I am counseling my patients about the worrisome potential effects of not controlling their eye pressure. For many patients, especially those patients new to navigating their glaucoma diagnosis, that first experience sets the tone. Making therapy accessible at that moment can have a meaningful impact on adherence, outcomes, and peace of mind."
With the J-Code now issued and effective as of July 1, 2026, Harrow believes physicians will have both the clinical and economic rationale to make prophylactic IOP management a consistent part of their procedural care.
A Growing Market with Room for Adoption
Aside from the greater than 4 millionii American glaucoma patients who are regularly seen in clinics, in-office laser procedures represent a large and expanding segment of ophthalmic care. More than 1.5 millioniii ophthalmic laser procedures are performed annually in the United States, a figure that continues to grow as the population ages and earlier intervention becomes standard practice.
The J-Code designation establishes the reimbursement infrastructure to support broader ...
