Harrow (Nasdaq: HROW) announced that IOPIDINE 1% (apraclonidine) received a permanent J-Code J2374, enabling in-office reimbursement effective July 1, 2026. The designation removes a practical barrier to routine office use and is expected to support broader adoption for prophylactic IOP management during ophthalmic laser procedures.
IOPIDINE 1% has shown a reduction in severe post-procedure IOP spikes from ~23% to ~2% (~91% relative reduction). The company highlights a large addressable base—>4 million glaucoma patients and >1.5 million annual ophthalmic laser procedures in the U.S.
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Positive
Permanent J-Code J2374 effective July 1, 2026
Severe IOP spikes reduced from ~23% to ~2% (~91% RR reduction)
Large addressable base: >4 million glaucoma patients and >1.5 million annual laser procedures
Negative
None.
News Market Reaction – HROW
+4.80%
16 alerts
+4.80%Session close to close
+2.6%Peak in 3 hr 25 min
$1.54BMarket Cap
0.5xRel. Volume
In the Apr 16 session, HROW gained 4.80%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.
Argus tracked a peak move of +2.6% during that session.
Our momentum scanner triggered 16 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility.
This announcement establishes a permanent J-code for IOPIDINE 1% effective July 1, 2026, enabling di...
Analysis
This announcement establishes a permanent J-code for IOPIDINE 1% effective July 1, 2026, enabling direct CMS reimbursement for in-office use. The product targets a sizable market of more than 4 million glaucoma patients and over 1.5 million annual laser procedures, with data showing severe IOP spikes reduced from 23% to 2%. In context of Harrow’s recent distribution expansion and note offerings, investors may watch how quickly physicians incorporate reimbursed prophylactic IOP management into routine workflows.
Key Figures
Severe IOP spikes untreated:23%Severe IOP spikes with IOPIDINE:2%Relative risk reduction:91%+2 more
5 metrics
Severe IOP spikes untreated23%Rate of severe intraocular pressure spikes without IOPIDINE 1%
Severe IOP spikes with IOPIDINE2%Rate of severe intraocular pressure spikes with prophylactic IOPIDINE 1%
Relative risk reduction91%Reduction in severe IOP spikes vs. untreated patients
Glaucoma patientsgreater than 4 millionAmerican glaucoma patients regularly seen in clinics
Ophthalmic laser proceduresmore than 1.5 million annuallyAnnual U.S. ophthalmic laser procedures
Scheduled presentation at Leerink Partner’s 2026 Global Healthcare Conference.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Pattern Detected
Recent Harrow news, including financings and commercial updates, has more often been met with positive price moves, with only one notable divergence on scientific conference abstracts.
Recent Company History
Over the past months, Harrow has reported several corporate and commercial milestones. A distribution partnership with LogiCare3PL effective Feb 1, 2026 was followed by a 2.16% gain. Two March add-on note offerings totaling $50.0 million each, tied to 8.625% senior notes due 2030, saw gains of 3.27% and 3.53%. By contrast, acceptance of three abstracts for ASCRS 2026 coincided with a -2.13% move. A Leerink conference appearance on March 10, 2026 saw a 1.59% rise. This J-code update continues a stream of commercial execution headlines.
Key Terms
j-code, centers for medicare & medicaid services (cms), fda-approved, intraocular pressure, +4 more
8 terms
j-coderegulatory
"has been assigned a permanent J-Code (J2374) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid"
A J-code is a standardized billing code used by U.S. healthcare payers to identify specific injectable or infused drugs and biologic therapies given in clinics or hospitals. For investors, J-codes matter because they determine how treatments are billed and reimbursed by insurers and government programs; having a clear code can make it easier for a medicine to be paid for and for a company to forecast sales, much like a product SKU that allows a store to track and sell an item.
centers for medicare & medicaid services (cms)regulatory
"permanent J-Code (J2374) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Effective"
A federal agency that runs the United States' major public health insurance programs for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. Investors watch its rules, reimbursement rates and coverage decisions because they directly affect the revenue and costs of healthcare providers, drug makers and medical device companies—like a referee whose calls change how the game is played and who scores.
fda-approvedregulatory
"IOPIDINE 1% is the only FDA-approved product indicated to prevent intraocular pressure"
FDA-approved means a medical product, drug, device or treatment has passed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s review for safety and effectiveness for a specific use. Think of it like a formal safety and performance seal that allows the product to be marketed for that purpose in the U.S.; for investors, approval reduces regulatory uncertainty, enables sales and reimbursement pathways, and can materially affect a company’s revenue prospects and valuation.
intraocular pressuremedical
"indicated to prevent intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes following ophthalmic procedures"
Intraocular pressure is the fluid pressure inside the eye, similar to the air pressure in a tire or the tension in a water balloon that helps the eye keep its shape. It matters to investors because sustained high pressure can lead to glaucoma and vision loss, driving demand for drugs, surgical devices, diagnostics and related regulatory approvals and reimbursements, which directly affect company revenues and risk profiles.
yttrium aluminum garnet (yag)medical
"procedures such as Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG), Nd capsulotomy, selective laser trabeculo"
Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) is a manufactured crystal used as a core material in many lasers and optical components; it acts like a clear, stable glass that amplifies and directs light. Investors watch YAG because its demand and price affect businesses making medical and industrial lasers, fiber-optic parts, and precision optics—so shifts in supply, new uses, or manufacturing bottlenecks can influence revenues and costs across tech, healthcare, and defense suppliers.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a minimally invasive eye procedure that uses short, low-energy laser pulses to improve fluid drainage from the eye and lower intraocular pressure, commonly used to treat glaucoma. It matters to investors because changes in how often SLT is used, the devices and disposables sold for the procedure, regulatory approvals, and reimbursement rules can affect revenue and competitive dynamics in the ophthalmology market—think of it as a new tool that can shift demand and margins in eye-care businesses.
Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) is a laser procedure used to lower pressure inside the eye for people with open‑angle glaucoma by targeting the eye’s drainage channel so fluid can exit more easily — think of using a focused beam to help unclog a slow drain. Investors watch ALT because its use affects demand for ophthalmic lasers, clinic procedures, prescription drugs and surgical alternatives, and thus can influence revenues, device adoption and reimbursement trends in eye care markets.
laser peripheral iridotomy (lpi)medical
"argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI), and others."
Laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) is a short outpatient eye procedure in which a focused laser creates a tiny hole in the colored part of the eye (the iris) to reestablish fluid flow and relieve pressure that can damage the optic nerve. Investors care because LPI procedure volumes, the lasers and consumables used, and clinic billing reflect demand for glaucoma care and can affect revenue, reimbursement trends and device makers’ market prospects—like adding a small vent to prevent harmful pressure buildup.
Reimbursement for Office-Based Utilization to Begin in July 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harrow (Nasdaq: HROW), a leading provider of ophthalmic disease management solutions in North America, today announced that IOPIDINE®1% (apraclonidine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) has been assigned a permanent J-Code (J2374) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Effective July 1, 2026, IOPIDINE 1% will be reimbursed when administered in the in-office setting.
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 and more consistent utilization of IOPIDINE 1% over time. Preventing IOP spikes also has the potential to reduce overall healthcare costs by minimizing the need for additional follow-up visits, urgent interventions, and the risk of complications that may require more complex procedures.
"Every decision we make around the time of a procedure matters,” said Dr. Kyle Linsey, DO, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon. “When I can administer a proven pressure-lowering therapy immediately following a procedure—especially for high-risk patients—it’s a game-changer for my practice protocols. It gives both the physician and the patient confidence that we’re starting from a position of control, not uncertainty. It’s a must-have for high-risk patients after a laser procedure."
“We are excited to deliver this wonderful news on IOPIDINE 1%, the first of the three Specialty products I highlighted earlier this year in my Letter to Stockholders,” said Mark L. Baum, Chief Executive Officer of Harrow. “This permanent J-Code represents an opportunity to ensure more patients in need have access to a medicine that can protect and preserve their vision. IOPIDINE 1% has a long-established and highly differentiated clinical profile, and now, with assured reimbursement from use in the physician’s office, the elimination of longstanding reimbursement friction is expected to drive broader, more consistent adoption—and is a particularly natural complement to IHEEZO® for so many office-based procedures requiring an anesthetic.”
About IOPIDINE®1%(apraclonidine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) as base
Indications and Usage IOPIDINE 1% Ophthalmic Solution is indicated to control or prevent post-surgical elevations in IOP that occur in patients after argon laser trabeculoplasty, argon laser iridotomy or Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy.
Important Safety information CONTRAINDICATIONS IOPIDINE 1% Ophthalmic Solution is contraindicated for patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitor therapy and for patients with hypersensitivity to any component of this medication or to clonidine
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Since IOPIDINE 1% Ophthalmic Solution is a potent depressor of IOP, patients who develop exaggerated reductions in IOP should be closely monitored. Although the acute administration of two drops of IOPIDINE 1% Ophthalmic Solution has minimal effect on heart rate or blood pressure in clinical studies evaluating patients undergoing anterior segment laser surgery, the preclinical pharmacologic profile of this drug suggests that caution should be observed in treating patients with severe cardiovascular disease including hypertension. IOPIDINE 1% Ophthalmic Solution should also be used with caution in patients with severe coronary insufficiency, recent myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, chronic renal failure, Raynaud’s disease or thromboangiitis obliterans. The possibility of a vasovagal attack occurring during laser surgery should be considered and caution used in patients with history of such episodes. Topical ocular administration of two drops of 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% IOPIDINE Ophthalmic Solution to New Zealand Albino rabbits three times daily for one month resulted in sporadic and transient instances of minimal corneal cloudiness in the 1.5% group only. No histopathological changes were noted in those eyes. No adverse ocular effects were observed in cynomolgus monkeys treated with two drops of 1.5% IOPIDINE Ophthalmic Solution applied three times daily for three months. No corneal changes were observed in 320 humans given at least one dose of IOPIDINE 1% Ophthalmic Solution.
ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse events, occurring in less than 2% of patients, were reported in association with the use of IOPIDINE 1% Ophthalmic Solution in laser surgery: ocular injection, upper lid elevation, irregular heart rate, nasal decongestion, ocular inflammation, conjunctival blanching, and mydriasis.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Instill one drop of IOPIDINE®1% in the operative eye one hour before anterior segment laser surgery. Instill a second drop immediately after the procedure. Use a new single-use container for each drop and discard after use.
About IHEEZO (chloroprocaine HCl ophthalmic gel) 3%
Indications and Usage IHEEZO® (chloroprocaine HCl ophthalmic gel) 3% is indicated for ocular surface anesthesia.
Important Safety information IHEEZO is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any component of this preparation. IHEEZO should not be injected or intraocularly administered. Patients should not touch the eye for at least 10 to 20 minutes after using anesthetic as accidental injuries can occur due to insensitivity of the eye. Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic may produce permanent corneal opacification and ulceration with accompanying visual loss. Do not touch the dropper tip to any surface as this may contaminate the gel. IHEEZO is indicated for administration under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. IHEEZO is not intended for patient self-administration. The most common adverse reactions in studies following IHEEZO administration (incidence greater than or equal to 5%) were mydriasis, conjunctival hyperemia, and eye irritation.
AboutHarrow
Harrow, Inc. (Nasdaq: HROW) is a leading provider of ophthalmic disease management solutions in North America, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products that address conditions affecting both the front and back of the eye, such as dry eye disease, wet (or neovascular) age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, refractive errors, glaucoma and a range of other ocular surface conditions and retina diseases. Harrow was founded with a commitment to deliver safe, effective, accessible, and affordable medications that enhance patient compliance and improve clinical outcomes. For more information about Harrow, please visit harrow.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.
Forward-LookingStatements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this release that are not historical facts may be considered such “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially and adversely from the statements contained herein. Some of the potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those predicted include, among others, risks related to: liquidity or results of operations; our ability to successfully implement our business plan, develop and commercialize our products, product candidates and proprietary formulations in a timely manner or at all, identify and acquire additional products, manage our pharmacy operations, service our debt, obtain financing necessary to operate our business, recruit and retain qualified personnel, manage any growth we may experience and successfully realize the benefits of our previous acquisitions and any other acquisitions and collaborative arrangements we may pursue; competition from pharmaceutical companies, outsourcing facilities and pharmacies; general economic and business conditions, including inflation and supply chain challenges; regulatory and legal risks and uncertainties related to our pharmacy operations and the pharmacy and pharmaceutical business in general, including the ongoing communications with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration relating to compliance and quality plans at our outsourcing facility in New Jersey; physician interest in and market acceptance of our current and any future formulations and compounding pharmacies generally. These and additional risks and uncertainties are more fully described in Harrow’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and other filings with the SEC. Such documents may be read free of charge on the SEC's web site at sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, Harrow undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date they are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Contacts:
Mike Biega Vice President of Investor Relations and Communications mbiega@harrowinc.com 617-913-8890
_______________________ i Iopidine® (apraclonidine HCl ophthalmic solution) 0.5% and 1% Prescribing Information. Harrow, Inc ii Ehrlich et al. JAMA Ophthalmol 2024 iii CMS Part B laser procedure estimates
FAQ
What is the J-Code assigned to IOPIDINE 1% (HROW) and when does it take effect?
The permanent J-Code is J2374, effective July 1, 2026. According to the company, this CMS billing designation enables direct in-office reimbursement for IOPIDINE 1%, facilitating administration during routine ophthalmic procedures.
How does IOPIDINE 1% (HROW) reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes after laser procedures?
IOPIDINE 1% reduces severe post-procedure IOP spikes from ~23% to ~2%, a ~91% relative reduction. According to the company, prophylactic administration at the time of procedure helps prevent acute IOP elevations and related symptoms or complications.
What does the J-Code mean for physicians and office-based administration of IOPIDINE 1% (HROW)?
The J-Code enables physicians to be reimbursed directly for in-office administration, reducing administrative and economic friction. According to the company, this makes routine prophylactic use during glaucoma and laser procedures more feasible for clinicians.
How large is the potential U.S. market for IOPIDINE 1% (HROW) after J-Code reimbursement?
The company cites a potential base of >4 million glaucoma patients and >1.5 million ophthalmic laser procedures annually in the U.S. These figures frame the scale for broader, consistent utilization with in-office reimbursement.
Will J-Code reimbursement for IOPIDINE 1% (HROW) likely change clinical practice?
Yes — reimbursement removes a longstanding barrier, making prophylactic IOP management more practical at the point of care. According to the company, clinicians may more consistently incorporate IOPIDINE 1% into procedural workflows for patient protection.
Does IOPIDINE 1% (HROW) complement other office-based products like IHEEZO?
According to the company, IOPIDINE 1% is a natural complement to IHEEZO for procedures requiring an anesthetic, supporting combined use in office-based workflows to manage pressure and patient comfort.
