■ Alcon recently launched its Dailies Total 1 lenses in the United Kingdom. The water gradient lens is already available in other countries, with a U.S. launch expected later this year. Alcon says that at the core, the lenses have a water content of 33 percent, which allows high oxygen transmissibility (Dk/t of 156 at −3.00D). Between the core and the surface, the water content changes from 33 percent to more than 80 percent. The water content is more than 80 percent at the surface.

■ The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Bausch + Lomb’s New Drug Application for Prolensa (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) 0.07% prescription eye drop, a once-daily nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for treating postoperative inflammation and reducing ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract surgery. It will be available in 1.6ml and 3ml bottle sizes.

■ CooperVision has launched an allergy survival guide for patients that includes fact sheets and videos about allergies, tips on how to look your best this allergy season, and even a live feed to the Allergy Index from The Weather Channel so that patients can know when pollen counts are high. The guide also includes information about eye allergies and contact lenses. It is available at https://www.facebook.com/CooperVision/app_520850094637911.

■ Vistakon is once again offering a complimentary educational brochure titled “Eye Health and Allergies” to provide patients with information on how eye allergies occur, common signs and symptoms, and practical advice on how to treat eye allergies. This brochure also includes information about eye allergies and contact lenses. A downloadable PDF is available in the Patient Education section of the www.acuvueprofessional.com website. Printed copies of “Eye Health and Allergies” are also available to eyecare practitioners free of charge. To receive bulk copies for your office, please e-mail your request, making sure to include your name and mailing address, to eyeallergybrochure@rprny.com.

■ Abbott Medical Optics’ Tecnis Toric 1-Piece intraocular lens (IOL) has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and is launching in the United States for the treatment of cataract patients who have pre-existing corneal astigmatism. It can correct a patient’s loss of focus due to pre-existing corneal astigmatism of 1.00D or greater. AMO says that the Tecnis Toric 1-Piece IOL also minimizes spherical aberration to provide sharper distance vision and that it meets ANSI standards for toric lens rotational stability.

■ Topcon Medical Systems has formed a new division within the company that will focus solely on its software product line. The Topcon Software Solutions Division will be run by Robert J. Orsino, VP of Engineering, and will encompass Topcon’s software products including EyeRoute and Synergy.

■ Leica Microsystems, a leading manufacturer of microscopes and scientific instruments, and Bausch + Lomb (B+L) have announced that B+L will distribute Leica ophthalmic surgical microscopes and accessories in select markets across Europe, the United States, India, and Latin America starting in April. The companies said that the partnership combines the strength of Leica’s innovative ophthalmic microscopes with B+L’s global commercial infrastructure, while expanding B+L’s offerings for ophthalmic surgeons.

Acuity Pro in NASA Study

In January 2013, scientists at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas successfully uploaded Acuity Pro software (VisionScience Software) to the International Space Station. It will be used for a two-year research project called the Ocular Health Study. Initiated in April 2013, the study is focused on decreased visual acuity that astronauts seems to experience and will monitor changes to the eyes and visual system due to long-term exposure to microgravity.

The Bausch + Lomb Boston products group’s new website www.fit-boston.com also features information on scleral lens designs and multifocal designs for presbyopes. The site also provides links to valuable educational guides such as “A Guide to Scleral Lens Fitting” by Eef van der Worp, PhD, and “Correction of Keratoconus with GP Lenses” from the University of Waterloo. Fitters can now access these guides instantly from links on the new website. The educational guides are available in many languages including, but not limited to: Spanish, French, Polish, Serbian, and Japanese. Check the links for complete information for each educational guide. Printed guides are still available through authorized Boston Laboratories.

WCO Recognizes Holden

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) recently acknowledged Prof. Brien Holden with its Distinguished Service Award, the organization’s highest honor. A pioneer in contact lens development and eye health, and now a global leader of efforts to eliminate avoidable blindness and vision impairment, Prof. Holden is only the sixth to receive the award. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Prof. Holden has created a social enterprise that has generated over $1 billion in research, education, and humanitarian funds to create advanced vision correction products and provide quality vision care to people in need. His work recently has included the current development of a retinal camera for detection and eventually diagnosis of blinding eye diseases.

Slim Contact Lens Case Nabs Top Award

The Contact Lens Refresh Card, an ultra slim, all-in-one contact lens case and multipurpose solution package, and its inventors were awarded the top prize at the 14th annual Duke Start-Up Challenge. Refresh Innovations, a start-up consisting of three young entrepreneurs, received the $50,000 grand prize.

The patent-pending design is the size of a credit card, disposable, and designed to fit in a wallet. The inventors said that they talked to eyecare industry experts and contact lens wearers to determine the need for the product and to hone the design.

The competition was created to encourage startups among the members of the Duke University community. Camras Vision, which makes a shunt to treat glaucoma, was also a top-three finalist.