NEWS Spectrum

AOA Study Gauges OD Prescribing Habits

More than half of optometrists feel it is appropriate to introduce a child to soft contact lenses between the ages of 10 to 12, with daily disposable contact lenses being the most frequently prescribed lenses for this age group, according to a new American Optometric Association (AOA) study.

At ages 8 to 9 (51 percent) and 10 to 12 (71 percent), optometrists most often fit children in glasses as the primary method of vision correction and prescribe contact lenses as a secondary correction. However, data from the survey of 576 optometrists from across the country shows a gradual shift in optometrists' approach to vision correction as children age, with 21 percent noting that they are more likely to fit 10- to 12-year-olds in contact lenses than they were a year ago. One-in-five (20 percent) respondents say that they begin prescribing contact lenses as the principal form of vision correction for children ages 10 to 12; nearly half (49 percent) prescribe contact lenses first for 13- to 14-year-olds, and two-thirds (66 percent) recommend contact lenses as the main form of vision correction for 15- to 17-year-olds.

The AOA Research and Information Center conducted the Children & Contact Lenses study in conjunction with the Sports Vision Section and Contact Lens and Cornea Sections of AOA, with support from Vistakon. The study was designed to gauge current trends in prescribing contact lenses to children ages 8 to 17 and to understand factors that influence optometrists' decisions to fit a child in contact lenses.

Of practitioners who say they are now more likely to fit children in contact lenses, 30 percent attribute their change in fitting behavior to daily disposable lenses; 23 percent cite "improved contact lens materials," 19 percent say they are more likely to fit children with contact lenses because of requests from the child and/or parent, and 10 percent say that "recent research/studies" on the subject and children's participation in activities/sports have influenced their decision.

To view the Executive Summary, visit www.aoa.org/childrenandcontactlenses.

AMO Receives FDA Approval for New MPS

Abbott Medical Optics has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration market clearance for RevitaLens Ocutec multipurpose disinfecting solution for silicone hydrogel and traditional soft contact lenses. AMO says that RevitaLens Ocutec delivers high-quality disinfection and comfort for users with the convenience of a single bottle.

"This advanced, next-generation solution establishes a new standard of disinfecting technology for contact lens wearers," said Jim Mazzo, senior vice president, AMO. "Proper contact lens care, including a rub and rinse regimen using RevitaLens Ocutec, will help patients achieve clean and comfortable lenses while enhancing overall lens-wearing satisfaction."

RevitaLens Ocutec began shipping to retailers last month and will officially launch later this month at the American Academy of Optometry meeting. Additional product information is available in this month's Product Spectrum and in the Contact Lens Care & Compliance column.

Spirits High at Vision Expo West

Preliminary unaudited attendance figures for International Vision Expo West, which took place from Oct. 7 to 9 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, show a 9 percent increase in attendance from 2009. A final third-party audit of the show will be available later this month. In late September, show organizers had reported that more than 16,300 eyecare professionals and buyers had registered for the show, including more than 3,800 registrants for the continuing education program.

Tom Loughran, vice president for Reed Exhibitions, said, "It's a great statement of confidence for the optical industry as a whole that there was such a strong showing," at International Vision Expo West.

More than 450 exhibitors were present at the show throughout the exhibit hall, the Galleria, and The Suites. In addition, a new show floor area was dedicated to the Optical Laboratories Association (OLA), which held its annual meeting in conjunction with the show, offering an expanded audience for exhibitors.

"Not only was our attendance up, but we had 70 new exhibitors and 10,000 more net square feet of booth space on the show floor," said Loughran. "When you add in that we had 66 new continuing education courses, it's clear that the opportunities offered at the show are unparalleled."

Next year the conference for International Vision Expo West will be held Sept. 21 to 24, 2011, and the exhibition will be held Sept. 22 to 24, 2011, at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. International Vision Expo West has show dates confirmed with the Sands Convention Center through 2015 and will continue to hold the event each year in September. More information about International Vision Expo West is available at www.visionexpowest.com.

Management Academy Expands

The Management & Business Academy (MBA), which was created by Ciba Vision and Essilor, will be available to all eyecare professionals, and now their staff, at a new venue—International Vision Expo East 2011.

Endorsed by the American Optometric Association and The Vision Council, the MBA provides continuing education on topics including staff management, practice performance measurement, practice growth strategies, utilizing market research, and more.

"Eyecare professionals who attend the MBA get real-world advice from experts who have built highly successful practices," said Rodney Tahran, OD, FAAO, vice president of professional relations/clinical affairs for Essilor. "The focus is on practical, easy-to-implement ideas that have been field tested and proven to increase financial return."

With the addition of the MBA program, the International Vision Expo conference program will now open on Wednesday, March 16 for afternoon sessions. The program will continue on Thursday, March 17 as the International Vision Expo conference begins as previously scheduled.

The International Vision Expo East conference program will be held March 16 to 20, 2011; the exhibit hall will open March 18 to 20. Visit www.visionexpoeast.com.

Safigel Signs First U.S. Distributor Agreement

Safigel has signed an agreement with Optical Distributor Group (ODG) for distribution of Safigel 1-Day daily disposable contact lenses. As the second largest distributor of contact lenses in the United States, ODG will distribute Safigel to eyecare practitioners (ECPs). Practitioners will also have the option of having ODG ship lenses directly to patients for whom they prescribe Safigel lenses.

Eric Sharvelle, Safigel president, said that "ODG is an ideal fit for Safigel because they can offer full-circle service to ECPs combined with an outstanding sales team."

Safigel contact lenses incorporate the natural biopolymer sodium hyaluronate, which is used in many leading eye drops. More information on the Safigel 1-Day lens is available in the October 2010 Product Spectrum.

"We're excited that Safigel chose ODG to help introduce eyecare professionals to the new generation in contact lens technology," said Jeff Rems, ODG president. "With the integration of sodium hyaluronate into their contact lens manufacturing process, Safigel contacts are a perfect addition to an ECP's armament and ideal for patients seeking all-day comfort."

Reimbursement for TearLab Test

TearLab Corporation has announced that the Committee for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published its recommended payment determination for new test codes, which includes a proposed reimbursement rate for the TearLab Osmolarity Test, effective January 2011. The new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code that will apply to the TearLab Osmolarity test will be reimbursed by CMS at $24.01 per eye (National Limit). The actual CPT code will be published by the American Medical Association in December 2010.

Reimbursement by CMS will be available only for offices that have a Moderate Complex CLIA certificate until TearLab receives a CLIA Waiver categorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This waiver is currently under review by the FDA.

"With FDA approval last year, reimbursement marks the achievement of the second of our three key milestones for U.S. commercialization. We look forward to receiving our CLIA waiver certificate, which will make it much simpler for individual doctors to provide the test for their patients," said Elias Vamvakas, TearLab's chief executive officer.