News spectrum
ABO Picks Exam Developer
The American Board of Optometry (ABO) recently announced that Prometric, a leading global provider of technology-enabled testing and assessment services, will be the ABO's partner in developing the new optometry board certification examination. The computer-based examination will be offered across the United States and around the world through the Prometric global test center network.
Computer-based delivery of ABO's exam is slated to begin in June 2011. The first step in the examination development process will be to complete a job analysis of the profession. The results of the survey will be the basis for the examination's clinical content outline that will be released this fall.
“The selection of Prometric re-emphasizes our intent to deliver a credible, psychometrically valid examination,” says David A. Cockrell, OD, ABO chairman of the Board. “Prometric's experience with the American Boards of Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and other respected organizations will be invaluable as we develop our examination. In addition, their testing centers are state of the art.”
B+L Recalls Some ReNu Overseas
Bausch + Lomb is conducting a voluntary recall of a limited number of lots of its ReNu Multi-Purpose Solution and ReNu MultiPlus multipurpose solution in Europe and the Middle East.
The first part of the recall involves a single lot (AA120) of 120ML ReNu MultiPlus in Croatia, Dubai, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. It was initiated as a precaution as a small number of sensitivity issues have been reported with that lot of ReNu MultiPlus. The number of reports represents less than 0.1 percent of the packs within this lot. However, as a precaution, B+L has initiated a voluntary recall of this product.
In a separate action, B+L is voluntarily recalling a limited number of lots of its ReNu MultiPurpose Solution and ReNu MultiPlus multipurpose solution in Europe and the Middle East. Routine testing has shown that while these products are safe and effective when used as directed, they are not meeting B+L's quality expectations. B+L initiated the quality-related recall after its Stability Monitoring Program showed that the performance trend of certain lots did not meet expectations. There is no indication of a safety or efficacy issue and there have been no reported adverse events.
B+L has notified retailers and eyecare professionals about the steps they should take if they have product from the affected lots in their inventories. No other B+L products, including other lots of ReNu MultiPlus and ReNu Multi-Purpose, are affected by this action.
New Programs at Vision Expo West
International Vision Expo West, which will take place Oct. 7 to 9 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, has announced a variety of programs and continuing education sessions designed to enhance the show experience.
Conference highlights include:
• Free Keynote Address: In “The Recession is Over! Now What?” Jeff Thredgold, president of Thredgold Economic Associates, will present news on the economy and financial markets, as well as valuable tips to help eyecare professionals survive and thrive now that the Great Recession is over.
• Board Certification Review Program: The first national Board Certification Review course will be held. Twelve hours of presentations will be given on topics such as anterior segment therapy, ocular pharmacology, glaucoma, retina, cataract, and clinical problem solving.
• Professional Organization Participation: The Optical Retina Society will debut four courses regarding diagnosis and management of retinal disorders, while the Ocular Surface Society of Optometry will present an exclusive session dedicated to dry eye diagnosis, management, and treatment strategies. In addition, the Optometric Council on Refractive Technology will offer a course on comanagement of premium intraocular lenses and the Ocular Nutrition Society will present a session discussing the role of nutrition and exercise in eye care.
AOCLE Presents Awards
At the annual Association of Optometric . Contact Lens Educators (AOCLE) workshop, hosted by the University of Alabama in Birmingham School of Optometry, AOCLE presented several awards and elected a new board of officers.
The following awards were presented:
• The George Mertz New Educator Travel Award, including a certificate and a travel grant to attend their first AOCLE meeting, was presented to Dr. Aaron Zimmerman (The Ohio State University College of Optometry) and Dr. Annie Change (Southern California College of Optometry).
• The Lester Janoff Memorial Award, which goes to an optometric educator of the AOCLE who has demonstrated excellence in the area of contact lens education, research, and publications, was presented to Dr. Langis Michaud (Montreal).
AOCLE officers are elected every two years. The new officers for 2010-2012 are: Chair, Dr. Vinita Henry (UMSL); Vice-Chair, Dr. Bruce Morgan (MCO); Secretary, Dr. Judy Perrigin (UH); Treasurer, Dr. John Corzine (UCB) and Immediate Past-Chair, Dr. Etty Bitton (Montreal).
B+L Sponsors Education Series
Bausch + Lomb is sponsoring The Academy of Vision and Eye Health Series, an educational series that promotes discussion of trends and needs in vision care and the role of the eyecare professional in protecting and enhancing patient eye health.
The goal of the Series is to challenge practitioners to think about the founding principles of optometry—providing superior vision and eye health to patients. Additionally, the programs discuss the art of refraction, optics, patient education and compliance, patient communication, and patient dynamics.
Programs have been held successfully at both Indiana University School of Optometry and Southern California College of Optometry. Each program has included members of the university faculty and eyecare practitioners. Both programs were moderated by Tom Quinn, OD, MS, FAAO.
“Many of these challenges have been gradual and often overlooked. This fresh perspective of integrating the changing dynamics of optometric education and clinical practice allowed me to reflect on how to integrate the two more comprehensively,” said Harue J. Marsden, OD, MS, associate professor, chief, Cornea and Contact Lens Department, Southern California College of Optometry.
Dr. Rhonda Robinson, Indianapolis-based optometrist, stated, “I think this is an important series because there's no question in my mind that, as a profession, we have really forgotten our identity. Who we are and what we do, first and foremost, is provide the very best vision for everyone that walks in our office. And I think somewhere along the way we have become desensitized as to just how important a responsibility that is.”
| UV Resource Now Available in Spanish |
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| ■ To further help parents, caregivers, and others better understand the risks associated with UV exposure to the eyes and minimize UV exposure, Healthy-Women is now offering the free educational resource, “Fast Facts for Your Health: The Sun & Your Eyes: What You Need to Know” in Spanish in addition to its original English-language version. The resource was developed with the support of Vistakon and can be viewed or downloaded at www.healthywomen.org/sunandyoureyes. To receive a PDF of the English version to use online or in print, e-mail fastfactsuv@inkandroses.com. For the Spanish version, e-mail your request to fastfactsuvSPANISH@inkandroses.com. To customize copies of “Fast Facts for Your Health: The Sun & Your Eyes,” for your practice/office, provide the information you want to display (practice name, address, phone number, Web site address). The information should be between one and eight lines in type no larger than 12 points. Practices may supply their logo to be used in place of name/address. The logo will be sized to fit and must fit in the upper right hand corner of the publication. |
| WEB UPDATE |
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| ■ Alden Optical Redesigns Site Alden Optical, Inc. has launched a completely redesigned Web site at www.aldenoptical.com. The new site features up-to-date product information and resources to assist practitioners with challenging custom fits and prosthetic lens applications. It also features easy interaction and updated downloads, according to Alden Optical. ■ Ocusoft Launches Redesigned Site Ocusoft has announced the launch of a newly designed Web site for the company's prescription-only supplement for dry eye, Tears Again Hydrate. The site, www.tearsagainhydrate.com, has been updated with a new look and improved navigation to increase functionality and overall user friendliness. The site offers information about various conditions of the eye, how Tears Again Hydrate works, and information on patient assistance programs. Ocusoft also recently launched a new Web site for patients with information on Tears Again Advanced Liposome Spray at www.tearsagainspray.com. ■ AllAboutVision.com Focuses on Eye Safety AllAboutVision.com has updated and expanded its content about eye safety and added a new Eye Safety tab to its main site navigation. The new section includes safety basics as well as topics pulled from other relevant content areas such as Sports and Children's Vision. |
Menicon Chooses New Vice President for U.S. |
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| Menicon Co., Ltd. has appointed a new vice president of marketing for Menicon America Inc. David Moreira will be based in the United States and will be responsible for Menicon America's marketing efforts, including the recently acquired Lagado Corporation business. Moreira, who joins Menicon with more than 20 years experience in the contact lens and ophthalmic industry, will report to Jonathan Jacobson, president of Menicon America. His industry experience includes time at Bausch + Lomb, Paragon Vision Sciences and Advanced Vision Research. For the last four years, Moreira has led North American sales and marketing efforts for The Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center. “I am extremely delighted to be joining the Menicon team,” said Moreira. “The Lagado business opens new doors for Menicon and I look forward to working with the team to combine our strengths in order to better serve the needs of the custom lab channel and specialty contact lens fitter community.” |
Industry Briefs■ X-Cel Contacts, a Walman Company, has recently added a monthly modality in its Flexlens product line. Flexlens are custom soft lenses that are made to order and are offered in designs and parameters not available in other soft contact lens product lines, according to X-Cel.■ CooperVision is continuing its Gear Up Grants contest to award an additional $25,000 in grants. Ten new grants will be award this fall. Submissions for the new Gear Up Grants are being accepted until Sept. 30. ■ Prevent Blindness America has established the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health. The new program is designed to serve as a major resource for the establishment of a public health infrastructure to advance and promote children's vision and eye care, as well as provide leadership development, health promotion, education, and training to public and private entities throughout the United States. As part of the first phase of the new initiative, PBA has formed the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health National Expert Panel comprised of leading professionals in ophthalmology, optometry, pediatrics, public health, academia, family representatives, and other related fields who have a vested interest in the field of children's vision and eye health. ■ Alcon has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LenSx Lasers, Inc., a privately held company that developed the first femtosecond laser to receive FDA clearance for use as a part of cataract surgery. The LenSx system is indicated for anterior capsulotomy and laser phacofragmentation during cataract surgery, providing a complementary surgical approach to certain manual steps within the traditional cataract procedure. ■ Lensco has appointed Richard Chesney to national field manager. He will be responsible for assisting in the daily operations of the sales division, covering all U.S. Sales Territory Regions for Lensco. Chesney joined Lensco in April 2006 as a territory manager. ■ Alcon has discontinued Travatan Ophthalmic Solution 0.004% in the United States. However, Travatan Z Solution, the BAK-free formulation of travoprost, remains available. Travatan and Travatan Z Solutions are indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients who have open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and who are intolerant to other IOP-lowering medications or insufficiently responsive (failed to achieve target IOP determined after multiple measurements over time) to another IOP-lowering medication. ■ Optometry Giving Sight invites all optometrists to take part in the fourth annual World Sight Day Challenge from Sept. 1 to Oct. 14 (World Sight Day). Register for the World Sight Day Challenge at www.givingsight.org. Optometrists can make a donation online or pledge their eye exam fees from one day between Sept. 1 and Oct. 14. They can also request a free practice kit that contains everything they need to promote their involvement to patients including OGS's new Giving Poster. OGS can also provide assistance with placing an article in local papers. OGS guarantees that 85 percent of all donations go directly to programs that give sight to those in need. It currently funds projects in more than 18 countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. ■ For practitioners who have recently activated a blog, Twitter account or Facebook page and are not sure how to keep it updated, All AboutVision can help with a steady stream of topics of interest to consumers. You can take advantage of these updates by visiting www.facebook.com/allaboutvision. If don't use Facebook, you can still get summaries of new articles and news via AllAboutVision.com's monthly Eye-Opener newsletter, available at www.allaboutvision.com/ecp/. ■ SECO International has been honored with the Association of Optometrist's Award. SECO's President Dr. Ron Bannister accepted the award recently in Edinburgh, Scotland. Presented only three times previously, the award was created by the Association of Optometrists to recognize an individual or institution that has made a significant impact on the advancement of optometry within the United Kingdom. |
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