NEWSspectrum
CooperVision to Offer Research Awards
For the second consecutive year, CooperVision is offering the CooperVision Science and Technology (S&T) Awards Program. The goal of this awards program is to bring recipients and CooperVision scientists together to explore new areas of technology advancement in contact lens applications, according to the company.
The CooperVision S&T Awards Program is comprised of two awards: The CooperVision Seedling Award and the CooperVision Translational Research Award. Research proposals should demonstrate significant potential for research discoveries and technological advancements that CooperVision can commercialize to improve the performance, enhance the functionality, and/or broaden the use of contact lenses.
The CooperVision Seedling Award is intended to incentivize collaborations with CooperVision in a new research area for a one-year period. The award enables investigators to generate preliminary data that could be used toward a future CooperVision Translational Research Award. The maximum total cash amount for a CooperVision Seedling Award is $100,000, including indirect costs.
A CooperVision Translational Research Award is a multi-year award for a substantive translational research project. A CooperVision Translational Research Award provides funding for up to two years, totaling up to $400,000, including indirect costs. A maximum of $250,000 can be requested for any one year. A CooperVision Translational Research Award may be considered for renewal at the end of the initial research period.
The deadline for submitting a letter of intent is May 23, 2014. Visit http://coopervision.com/our-company/science-and-technology-awards.
JJVCI Accepting Research Proposals on Tear Film Stability with Lens Wear
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. (JJVCI) is accepting research proposals related to meibography and tear film stability with contact lens wear. Specific areas of interest include correlating clinical findings to meibomian gland image analysis and tear film stability (i.e., lid wiper epitheliopathy, subjective symptoms, physiology); and categorizing the magnitude of meibomian gland changes to lens type or length of wear.
All research proposals must be in English. Proposals must be submitted through the JJVCI Investigator Initiated Study (IIS) application process by contacting the Clinical Research Administrator at RA-VISUS-IISRequests@its.jnj.com or (904) 443-1525. For more information, visit www.acuvueprofessional.com/investigator-initiated-studies.
Novartis Appoints Division Heads
Novartis has appointed Jeff George as division head of Alcon, effective May 1. He succeeds Kevin Buehler, who is retiring after a 30-year career at Alcon. As part of the planned transition, Mr. Buehler will provide management and strategic support on the Alcon business.
Since joining Novartis in 2007, Mr. George has held leadership positions in the Vaccines and Diagnostics Division and the Pharmaceuticals Division, becoming division head of Sandoz in December 2008. Sandoz is the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis. Mr. George will continue to serve as a member of the Executive Committee of Novartis (ECN).
In a related announcement, Richard Francis was appointed division head of Sandoz, succeeding Mr. George. Mr. Francis joins Novartis from Biogen Idec, where he has held roles of increasing responsibility across several therapeutic areas in both Europe and the United States during his 13-year career with the company.
Mr. Francis will also become a member of the ECN.
Optometry Giving Sight Establishes Circle of Sight
Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) welcomed members to its newly established “Circle of Sight” at a special function sponsored by Hoya at the Vision Source Exchange meeting in Boston on April 11, 2014. The Circle of Sight honors OGS’s monthly donors. Monthly giving is extremely important to the charity as it provides secure, ongoing funding support each month that allows it to make long-term commitments to key eye and vision care projects around the world.
Dr. Bobby and Mrs. Jayne Christensen were honored at the reception as the 2014 Philanthropists of the Year. Also recognized were:
Practice of the Year – Dr. Donald Matsumoto and Dr. Randall Yumori, Pacific Eyecare
World Sight Day Challenge Outstanding Contribution – Dr. Moes Nasser
World Sight Day Challenge Outstanding Contribution – Dr. Gordon and Mrs. Denise Price
Learn more about how to join the Circle of Sight at www.givingsight.org.
CooperVision Unveils Eye Care Prime Premier
CooperVision Inc., through its subsidiary WebSystem3 LLC, has unveiled Eye Care Prime Premier, which brings individualized digital marketing consulting and execution services to eyecare practices across the United States.
Designed to assist eyecare professionals with acquiring, retaining, and engaging patients, Eye Care Prime Premier provides each practice with a personal marketing consultant who will:
• Create a customized annual marketing plan (with quarterly refinements).
• Build and enhance digital communities through frequent social media postings and dialogue.
• Optimize online profiles and business listings in common directories, such as Facebook, Yelp, Yahoo! Local and Google+ Local.
• Provide guidance on how to deliver the best mobile web experience and, where possible, transform the practice’s website to work seamlessly.
• Monitor patient reviews and rankings across the web, coaching the practice on how to request referrals and feedback as well as methods to attract new patients and resolve complaints.
• Manage patient communications including intelligent appointment scheduling, automated reminders and confirmations, e-mail marketing, and social media-enabled cross-selling delivered by WebSystem3.
• Measure, analyze, and report on progress, evaluating each practice’s integrated marketing efforts against a proprietary industry index to gauge current success and future opportunities.
Eye Care Prime Premier is being launched first in the United States, with other markets expected to follow.
IDOC Announces Online Education Program
IDOC (Independent Doctors of Optometric Care) has announced a new, comprehensive, online education program for optometrists and their staff, which is available at special pricing exclusively for IDOC members. Scot Morris, OD, FAAO, operating partner of Morris Education and Consulting Associates, developed this collection of online optometric education materials, which includes a resource library as well as podcast lessons.
IDOC says that the resource library covers topics essential for independent practitioners and the management of their businesses including vision and insurance plans, medical model, marketing, human resources, practice management, legal issues, scripting office procedures, and more. There are nearly 100 downloadable, customizable resources, such as workflow worksheets, daily checklists, and guides to ocular conditions such as dry eye. The library outlines the steps for hiring new employees. The podcasts often reference other materials available in the resource library to help practitioners and staff improve and grow their businesses. Visit www.idoc.net.
INDUSTRY BRIEFS
■ Alcon recently updated the packaging and bottle design of its Clear Care Cleaning and Disinfecting Solution. The previous Clear Care bottle design had a white, screw-top cap over a red tip. This will be replaced with a flip-top cap, similar to that of the company’s Opti-Free brand. However, the new Clear Care flip-top cap will be red to help remind consumers about the potential consequence of misusing hydrogen peroxide eyecare products. The size of the bottle has been updated to one that is slightly shorter and wider. The outside carton dimensions will also change to accommodate the updated bottle design. No changes have been made to the Clear Care product itself. The new cartons were expected to hit shelves as early as last month.
■ More than 100 contact lens educators worldwide have successfully completed the International Association of Contact Lens Educators’ (IACLE) latest Fellowship Exam. Held every two years, IACLE’s Fellowship Exam took place in November 2013. Candidates with a successful outcome who have been IACLE members for 12 months or more can now apply to become Fellows of IACLE and use the affix FIACLE in recognition of their contact lens knowledge. A total of 194 members from 28 countries sat the latest exam, and 53% were successful. A majority of candidates (135) were educator members, working full- or part-time at a recognized teaching institution. The 2013 Fellowship Exam was the ninth administration. The next exam will be held in 2015.
■ The American Optometric Association (AOA) is encouraging new ODs to utilize NewGradOptometry.com, which is designed to offer information that will help put them on the right track for a successful professional career. The website is cost-free and offers resources to help inspire clinical and financial growth as an OD such as articles on new graduate success, licensing, insurance, clinical skills, and practice management. Site visitors are asked to create a user profile that entitles them to download the free e-book, “How to Get Your Optometry License—A Guide to All 50 States,” and to access content that will be updated monthly. Essilor of America and Vision Source are the site’s exclusive sponsors.
■ Prevent Blindness and its partners have announced the third annual Focus on Eye Health National Summit, to be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. At the Summit, Prevent Blindness will release a new report projecting the potential burden and economic impact of vision problems into the future. In conjunction with the Summit, Prevent Blindness will hold the ninth annual Eyes on Capitol Hill event, bringing those directly impacted by vision loss and blindness together with their government representatives. Visit http://preventblindness.org/eyesummit or call (800) 331-2020.
■ A nationwide group of eyecare professionals has formed an association dedicated to offering specialized services for athletes, law enforcement professionals, aviation personnel, and people who have hobbies and careers that require visual skills above and beyond the norm. The “A” Team - High Performance Vision Associates was created by Don Teig, OD, FAAO, from more than 30 practices that have completed his 16-hour consulting program in “High Performance Vision.” For further information, contact Dr. Teig at: contact@ultimateeventsllc.com or (203) 312-3123.
![]({"src":"/media/dm2osd0l/52014.jpg","focalPoint":null,"crops":[{"alias":"thumbnail","width":1110,"height":700,"coordinates":null}]})