E. Randy Craven, MD
MADISON, N.J.—Allergan, an AbbVie Company, has announced two additions to leadership roles within Allergan Eye Care. E. Randy Craven, MD, FACS, has been named medical director of the U.S. medical affairs glaucoma organization, and Scott Schachter, OD, FBCLA, has been named scientific director of presbyopia and ocular surface disease. In an announcement this week, Allergan said the staff additions are tied to its effort to continue “to advance care for patients with prevalent eye conditions.”

The two appointments come just a few months after Allergan submitted a New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration for investigational AGN-190584 (pilocarpine 1.25%) ophthalmic solution for the treatment of presbyopia, as VMAIL reported in March. The FDA is expected to act on the NDA by the end of this year. If approved, this eye drop is expected to be the first eye drop to treat presbyopia. Approximately 128 million adults in the U.S. experience presbyopia.

Dr. Schachter joins Allergan from the private practice he founded in Pismo Beach, Calif. He also is an adjunct clinical professor at Southern California College of Optometry and a global ambassador for the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society.


Scott Schachter, OD, FBCLA
“In a clinical practice focused on ocular surface disease, I understand Allergan’s industry-leading role in helping eyecare professionals manage conditions like dry eye disease,” Dr. Schachter said. “I’m excited to be part of the process of bringing forth therapies for dry eye, as well as groundbreaking treatments for presbyopia—two conditions that, combined, impact most patients in an optometry practice.”

Craven will bring his knowledge and years of clinical experience to Allergan Eye Care’s glaucoma organization. A pioneer of minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery, Dr. Craven previously served as chief, Wilmer Eye Institute–Bethesda, and associate professor of ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, the announcement noted.

“Throughout my experience diagnosing and treating patients with significant glaucoma and advanced anterior segment disease, I have always been deeply involved in clinical research to advance the science and efficacy of glaucoma therapies,” Dr. Craven said. “From my perspective, Allergan has always been a leader in developing new minimally-invasive glaucoma surgeries and glaucoma drug delivery platforms, so I’m looking forward to being part of that effort to reach more patients and preserve their vision.”