ABB OPTICAL GROUP LAUNCHES PATIENT OUTREACH AND VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW PROGRAMS
ABB Optical Group announced two initiatives to assist eyecare professionals (ECPs) during this time of heightened health concerns regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.
The company will be launching a free patient outreach program designed for eyecare practices to connect with patients and inform them of direct ECP-to-patient shipping options, a service provided by ABB Optical Group.
ECPs will be able to download a toolkit that contains social engagement posts, e-mail communications, and signage informing patients that they can place their contact lens orders through their ECP and receive their shipment at home—all without even coming into the office. ABB Optical Group customers will receive an e-mail with information about the patient outreach program and instructions on how to access the toolkit.
ABB Optical Group will also be hosting a Virtual Trade Show on March 23 to 27, in lieu of the recent cancelation of Vision Expo East in New York. The online event will feature free daily webinars hosted by subject matter experts and industry leaders. According to ABB Optical Group, the virtual shows will be focused on products, services, and solutions intended to help ECPs optimize their business and better serve their patients, both now and in the future. ■
CONTACT LENS CAN CORRECT COLOR BLINDNESS
Researchers from Tel Aviv University have incorporated ultra-thin optical devices known as metasurfaces into off-the-shelf contact lenses to correct deuteranomaly, a form of red-green color blindness. In a recent study by Sharon Karepov and Tal Ellendbogen published in Optics Letters, they reported that, based on simulations of color vision deficiency, their new metasurface-based contact lens can restore lost color contrast and improve color perception up to a factor of 10. According to the researchers, this could be expanded to help other forms of color vision deficiency and even other eye disorders. Although clinical testing would be needed before the contact lenses could be marketed, the researchers say that manufacturers could embed the metasurface during the molding stage of contact lens fabrication or thermally fuse them to a rigid contact lens. ■
FOR THE RECORD
In the “International Contact Lens Prescribing in 2019” article by Morgan et al that appeared in the January 2020 issue, Table 4 lists three countries (HU, IL, IT) twice as column headings. The data for those countries is correct in the columns that appear first in the table; but, where they are repeated to the right, the data in those columns is incorrect. Contact Lens Spectrum apologizes for the error. ■
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EYECARE INDUSTRY SIGNS PROCLAMATION
The New England College of Optometry (NECO) and industry leaders made official an Industry Collaborative Proclamation committing to collaborate on achieving key objectives for the profession of optometry. The signing took place during the SECO 20/20 meeting in Atlanta.
The Proclamation was the result of discussions during the NECO Industry Collaborative gathering in November 2019. In the Proclamation, the three key opportunities to focus on are Practice Empowerment and Acceleration; Why Optometry? Public Perception and Expectations; and The Impact of Technology on Optometry/The Impact of Optometry on Technology. ■
SMART CONTACT LENS SENSOR DEVELOPED FOR POINT-OF-CARE EYE HEALTH MONITORING
A research group led by Prof. Xuemin Du from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a “smart” contact lens that can show real-time changes in moisture and pressure by altering colors. The lens can potentially be used for point-of-care diagnosis of xerophthalmia and high intraocular pressure.
This contact lens features periodic nanostructures within the poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) hydrogel matrix, resulting in bright, tunable structural colors ranging from red to green to blue. This structurally colored contact lens sensor is made solely from a biocompatible hydrogel, without the addition of any chemical pigments, thus exhibiting superior biosafety and comfort for wearable applications, according to the researchers. The spacing of periodic nanostructures within the pHEMA hydrogel is sensitive to changes in moisture and pressure, leading to real-time color changes in the “smart” contact lens. Additionally, a linear decrease in the wavelength of the reflectance peak of the cosmetic contact lens is observed when human intraocular pressure changes in the pathological range. ■
GSLS WELCOMES NEW PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEMBER
The Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) welcomes a new program committee member, Lynette Johns, OD. Dr. Johns is a research associate in Harvard Medical School’s Department of Ophthalmology, and she is a scleral lens practitioner at Massachusetts Eye and Ear-Waltham office. She is an author and co-editor of the textbook Contemporary Scleral Lenses: Theory and Application. “Dr. Johns is an internationally recognized expert in specialty contact lenses. We are very honored to welcome her to the program committee and look forward to her contributions in developing our educational program at the GSLS,” remarked Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, GSLS program chair.
Dr. Johns joins existing program committee members Ed Bennett, OD, MSEd; Pat Caroline; Karen DeLoss, OD; Dr. Nichols; and Eef van der Worp, BSc, PhD. ■
SYMPOSIUM SPOTLIGHT: GSLS CE
The Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) Program Committee invites you to submit one-hour continuing education courses for consideration for the GSLS 2021, which will take place in Las Vegas from January 20 to 23, 2021. The submission window will close at 5:00pm ET on April 15, 2020. Submit all materials at www.gslsymposium.com .
The committee seeks the submission of new and innovative courses on all aspects of contact lenses (such as materials, designs, lens care) in addition to related topics such as corneal and ocular surface disease, diagnosis and treatment approaches, and practice management. ■
COOPERVISION BECOMES GLOBAL PATRON OF IAPB
Coopervision has become a Global Patron of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). The company joins a select group that supports IAPB at the highest level, including Allergan, Bayer, Novartis, and Standard Chartered Bank.
As part of the relationship, CooperVision and IAPB will collaborate to bring greater awareness and action to the growing prevalence and severity of myopia in children worldwide. ■
EXPERTS DISPEL COVID-19 MISINFORMATION
Amidst the Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, Lyndon Jones, director of the Centre for Ocular Research & Education at the University of Waterloo; Philip Morgan, director of Eurolens Research at The University of Manchester; and Jason Nichols, associate vice president Research and professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry and editor in chief of Contact Lens Spectrum, are advising eyecare professionals and consumers to heed sound, evidence-based practices. Specifically, they state that contact lens wear is safe, proper handwashing is essential, disinfect contact lenses, disinfect spectacles and glasses, discontinue lens wear only if sick, and that spectacles are not proven to offer protection. To read their full recommendations, visit www.clspectrum.com/newsletters/contact-lenses-today/march-12,-2020 . ■
COOPERVISION ACCEPTING 2020 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARD SUBMISSIONS
CooperVision is now accepting submissions for its 2020 Science and Technology Awards program, with a focus on novel research concepts to address myopia and presbyopia. Over its history, the program has made 14 grants totaling $2 million to investigate matters such as ocular surface health, contact lens discomfort, contact lens functionality, and retinal response to optical defocus.
In 2020, submissions will be considered for the following subjects:
- Strategies and interventions to slow myopia progression, with an emphasis on new technologies for treatment and management; effective solutions for fast progressors; understanding environmental factors that may initiate and prolong progression; and intelligent systems and data approaches for identifying at-risk eyes.
- Technologies to enhance the optical functionality of contact lenses for the correction of presbyopia.
Proposals may span proof-of-concept through translational stages and are eligible for two types of awards. The CooperVision Seedling Award is intended for investigation of early stage concepts for a one-year period, with a maximum grant of $100,000. The CooperVision Translational Research Award is a two-year grant for substantive projects with funding up to $400,000. It is intended to incentivize collaboration with CooperVision in new research areas.
CooperVision Science and Technology Awards are open to any researcher with principal investigator (PI) status holding an OD, MD, PhD, or equivalent degree. Applicants such as postdoctoral fellows with a waiver of PI status must submit appropriate documentation before funding can be disbursed.
Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent before May 31, 2020. If a letter is accepted, an applicant will be invited to submit a full proposal. Additional information and the online application are available at https://coopervision.com/our-company/science-and-technology-awards . ■
GP LENS INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES 501(C)(3) STATUS, BOARD EXPANSION
The GP Lens Institute (GPLI) was granted 501(c)(3) IRS status determination in late 2019 as a tax-exempt, charitable organization. The current board includes president and executive director – Edward S. Bennett, OD, MSEd, professor emeritus at The University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry; vice president – Josh Adams, Valley Contax, Inc; and secretary treasurer – Derrell James, X-Cel Specialty Contacts. Board members at large are Kurtis Brown, Menicon America, Inc.; Daren Nygren, Custom Craft Lens Service of Nevada, Inc.; Chris Pantle, DAC International, Inc.; and Jan Svochak, TruForm Optics, Inc.
In March, 2020, the GPLI Board of Directors was expanded to include Robert L. Davis, OD, EyeVis Eye and Vision Research Institute; and Sara Yost, BS, MBA, BostonSight. ■
TREEHOUSE EYES OPENS FIVE ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS
Treehouse Eyes announced the opening of five new centers. In collaboration with select practices, Treehouse Eyes is bringing its proprietary brand of myopia management into those practices. The latest practices to join the growing Treehouse Eyes network are Lumen Optometric, Dr. Eric To, Sierra Madre, CA; Eye to Eye Optometry, Dr. Elaine Linder, Antioch, CA; Diamond Vision, Dr. Shane Galan, Rockville Centre, NY; River Oaks Family Optometry, Dr. Elaine Chung, San Jose, CA; and Warm Springs Optometric Group, Drs. Michael Fauria and Susan Pirrone, Fremont, CA. ■
J&J VISION CALLS ON INDIVIDUALS TO PRIORITIZE YOUR EYES IN 2020
Johnson & Johnson Vision (J&J Vision) launched Prioritize Your Eyes, a worldwide effort to raise awareness about the connection of eye health to overall health. According to the company, Prioritize Your Eyes encourages everyone to take the single most important step to protect their eyes—getting an eye exam—and is part of its ongoing commitment and collaboration with various partners and professional organizations to elevate eye health and make 2020 the year of greater eye health awareness. ■
INDUSTRY BRIEFS
- Visionary Lens’ Mesa Grande (MG) reverse geometry specialty lens design was approved for overnight orthokeratology under the Bausch + Lomb U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pre-market approval for Vision Shaping Treatment.
- ABB Optical Group announced that ABB Contact Lens Specialty Vision Products is now a master distributor of Tangible Clean (Tangible Science), a Food and Drug Administration-approved daily cleaning and disinfecting solution recommended for custom contact lenses coated with Tangible Hydra-PEG as well as for other GP or soft contact lenses.
- Leo Lens Pharma (formerly DBA as Leo Lens Technology Co., Inc.) has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent for the use of its proprietary MediPrint process to manufacture a contact lens capable of providing enhanced myopia management. According to the company, the novel product will allow patients who are suffering from, or at a high risk of developing, myopia to wear a contact lens that can automatically and continuously deliver a drug to control myopia (such as low-dose atropine) to a patient’s eye.
- SwissLens acquired certification in the Ukrainian market. According to the company, this certification enables the Ukrainian eyecare specialist community to have access to a complete portfolio of Swiss-made specialty lenses, all delivered directly to Ukraine eyecare professionals. The company also noted that a local customer service agent is being established.
- Alcon announced that Pataday Once Daily Relief (olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.2%) and Pataday Twice Daily Relief (olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.1%) have been approved by the FDA for sale over the counter (OTC) in the United States.
- CooperCompanies appointed Mark Drury vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary effective Feb. 15, 2020, reporting to Albert G. White, president and CEO. Mr. Drury is currently the company’s deputy general counsel with responsibility for CooperVision’s global legal function along with certain corporate matters. Mr. Drury succeeds Randal L. Golden who continued to serve in a legal advisory role until Feb. 1, 2021.
- Essilor Custom Contact Lens Specialists is bringing back more webinars as part of its “Focus on Education” series. Each class will be hosted by Howard Purcell, OD, president and CEO of the New England College of Optometry. Upcoming sessions include “Building a Specialty Lens Practice with Staff Training at the Core,” on April 21 at 8:00 p.m. EST, presented by Katie Greiner, OD, MS, MBA. To register or to check out past webinars, visit http://essilorcontacts.com/Content.aspx .
- Bausch + Lomb has launched the Get Your Fit Together (www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aHVIzcHedo&feature=youtu.be ) music video—developed by eyecare professionals to be an educational and engaging walkthrough of how to have the best success in fitting Ultra Multifocal for Astigmatism contact lenses for some of the hardest to fit patients. A copy of the fitting guide can also be found in the YouTube description.
- The New England College of Optometry (NECO) and Medical Optometry of America (MOA), a national optometric brand focused on medical eye care, announced that they have entered into a collaboration with the goal of providing new graduates and residents exposure to medical optometry. For NECO, the affiliation creates opportunities for post-graduate training and practice in medical optometry at MOA’s sites. Together, the organizations will also explore the potential of developing a digital education platform to expand continuing education programs for eyecare practitioners throughout the country.
- Effective May 1, 2020, Jim Mazzo will retire from his position as president of Ophthalmic Devices and head of the Ophthalmic Devices Strategic Business Unit for Zeiss. He will continue to support Zeiss as an advisor. Dr. Euan Thomson will succeed Mr. Mazzo as president of Ophthalmic Devices and head of the Ophthalmic Devices Strategic Business Unit for Zeiss. He currently holds the position of head of the Digital Business Unit for Zeiss and will continue to guide digital activities. Andrew Chang, head of Sales for Ophthalmic Devices, will be appointed as president of Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. He will continue to lead the global ophthalmic sales organizations including U.S. Sales and Service, based in Dublin, CA.
- Eyevance Pharmaceuticals appointed Julie Speed to the position of chief commercial officer. In her new role, Ms. Speed will be responsible for developing the commercial strategy and overseeing the growth of Eyevance’s product portfolio. She will join the Eyevance Executive Leadership team and report directly to Eyevance’s CEO.
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