1-800 CONTACTS ENTERS AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE 6OVER6 VISION
1-800 Contacts announced that it entered into a definitive written agreement to acquire 6over6 Vision Ltd. 6over6 currently offers a variety of vision test technologies. Specifically, its Glasses-On is a suite of optometry tools within a mobile application that can retrieve optical parameters from existing lenses and can measure pupillary distance, enabling consumers to renew their prescriptions from anywhere, according to the company. Its technology is currently in use by numerous vision companies worldwide, with more licensing deals expected in the coming months. GlassesOn is registered as a Class 1 Exempt Medical Device on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Medical Device Listings.
1-800 Contacts expects to utilize the technology across a variety of its existing businesses and products, including Express Exam, which currently enables consumers to confirm their prescriptions for contact lenses using a computer or smartphone.
In the future, 1-800 Contacts and 6over6 expect to work together on telemedicine offerings, such as enabling consumers to obtain a new prescription for eyeglasses and contact lenses from anywhere without an office visit. ■
COOPERVISION LAUNCHES BEST PRACTICES STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
CooperVision, Inc. announced the launch of its first-ever Best Practices Scholarship Program. The scholarship—offered to outstanding third-year optometry students—is an expansion of the company’s annual Best Practices initiative (EyeCareBestPractices.com ), which recognizes optometric practices that advance the profession through innovation, industry leadership, and the provision of exceptional patient experience. Three scholarship recipients will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2020 Best Practices Summit.
To be eligible, applicants needed to be third-year students currently in good academic standing at a U.S. optometry school and to demonstrate leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, and additional optometry-related experience. They also needed to be able to attend the Best Practices Summit on May 3 to 5, 2020.
Applications for the scholarship were accepted through Jan. 10, 2020. Students submitted a current resume as well as a one-minute video explaining their goals to one day impact the field of optometry and discussing how attending the Best Practices Summit would help. For more information, visit https://coopervision.com/practitioner/best-practices-summit-student-scholarship . Scholarship recipients will be announced in March 2020. ■
OWA ANNOUNCES 2020 AWARD HONOREES
The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) has announced its 2020 OWA Award Honorees. Millicent Knight, OD, senior vice president, customer development group at Essilor of America, will receive the OWA Pleiades award to recognize her role in advancing the leadership role of women in the optical industry. Jean Sabre, owner of Uptown Vision, will receive the Pyxis award to honor her as an OWA member who actively participates in the organization and contributes to its continuing growth. Sheena Taff, optician and optical writer, will receive the newly created 2020 Visionary Award, which recognizes her as an OWA member who demonstrates progressive thinking and actively cultivates the professional development of women. The 2020 award winners will be honored at International Vision Expo East during the OWA’s Annual Champagne Breakfast on March 26 in New York City. ■
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SMART LENS FOR DIABETIC DIAGNOSIS AND RETINOPATHY TREATMENT INVENTED
Diabetic patients need to measure their blood-sugar level by drawing blood before and after a meal, and it is easy to develop complications due to diabetes. Recently, a research team from Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) developed technology that allows diagnosis of diabetes and treatment of diabetic retinopathy just by wearing a smart light-emitting diode (LED) contact lens. The research group is anticipating that this technology will be used for the development of wearable diagnostic and therapeutic devices for diabetes.
Professor Sei Kwang Hahn, Geon-Hui Lee (his PhD student), and the rest of his research team invented a smart photonic contact lens and a wearable medical device that can diagnose diabetes and treat diabetic retinopathy. In collaboration with the research group led by Zhenan Bao from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Stanford University and David Myung from Stanford Medicine Ophthalmology, the group’s research results were published online in Nature Reviews Materials.
The research team successfully developed a smart contact lens that had integrated micro LEDs and a photodetector that can measure glucose concentration in the conjunctival blood vessels by analyzing the near-infrared light. According to the researchers, this newly developed device will not only let diabetic patients monitor their blood-sugar level in real-time, it will also enable medical treatment for retinopathy, which is caused by diabetic complications.
Meanwhile, Professor Hahn and his research team have developed a smart contact lens that can diagnose diabetes by analyzing the glucose concentration in tears and deliver drugs to treat diabetic retinopathy. Recently, they also developed a smart wearable medical device that can do highly sensitive analysis on the glucose concentration in sweat, and they verified that it could be clinically feasible for diabetic diagnosis. Also, with PHI Biomed, they developed a bluetooth system that can send data wirelessly, allowing patients to check their diabetic diagnosis results on their mobile phones. ■
IACLE CALLS FOR 2020 AWARDS
The International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE) is offering educators worldwide the chance to become IACLE Contact Lens Educator of the Year and to travel to the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry’s (AAO) Academy 2020 in Nashville, TN in October. IACLE Contact Lens Educator of the Year will be awarded to three individuals, one from each of IACLE’s three global regions (Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe / Africa – Middle East). These awards recognize and reward achievements in contact lens education and are sponsored by CooperVision, with support from the AAO. The winners will each receive a bursary of up to $3,000 toward the cost of attending Academy 2020 Nashville and permission to use the title 2020 IACLE Contact Lens Educator of the Year for their region.
The awards are open to all IACLE members who have been paid-up members for at least three years. Members can either nominate themselves or be nominated by another member, their IACLE regional/country coordinator, or IACLE staff. Applicants must demonstrate use of IACLE resources, engagement with IACLE, impact on their institution, and the ways that they inspire their students to become future contact lens practitioners.
The IACLE Travel Awards are bursaries of up to $3,000, allowing IACLE Educator Members to attend international meetings. The IACLE Travel Awards are sponsored by IACLE through the generous support of all of IACLE’s sponsors (Alcon, CooperVision, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Bausch + Lomb, and Euclid). This year, there will be three IACLE Travel Awards. Recipients will attend either Academy 2020 Nashville (one award), the Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators (AOCLE) Annual Workshop (one award) in Fort Lauderdale, FL, or another major meeting to be agreed upon by the IACLE Executive Board (one award). Academy attendance is supported by AAO, and AOCLE attendance is supported by AOCLE.
The deadline for entries for the 2020 awards is midnight (EST) on Feb. 28, 2020. Entries must be submitted using the application forms at www.iacle.org . ■
ENVISION DALLAS NAME UNVEILED
Envision announced Envision Dallas as the new name for Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind. The rebranding formalizes a relationship initiated in 2018, when the Wichita, KS-based Envision added Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind to its growing family. Envision Dallas’ mission is to improve the quality of life and to provide inspiration and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education and research.
In addition, David Stupay, a veteran leader of multiple agencies in several states that help children and adults with developmental disabilities, was named as the new executive director on Dec. 12.
Envision Dallas currently serves 150,000 people in 11 North Texas counties who are blind or who have low vision. Since joining the Envision family, Envision Dallas has served an increasing number of people who have vision loss through new initiatives and strategic leadership.
Additionally, in October, Envision Dallas announced that it will become the new home of the American Foundation for the Blind Center on Vision Loss and Esther’s Place, a specially designed model apartment that helps individuals who are blind or who have low vision learn to live more independently. ■
SEED ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN SENSIMED
Sensimed announced the closure of a transaction whereby the Japanese public company Seed has acquired more than 90% of outstanding shares in Sensimed. The transaction closed on Nov. 29. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The two companies have a successful collaborative history. Previously, in August 2013, Seed invested in Sensimed by way of a loan. They worked closely together to obtain PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Japan) approval for Sensimed Triggerfish in September 2018. Also in 2013, the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding concerning further collaboration. In August 2019, Seed’s loan was converted to preferred shares, and Seed became a 12.55% shareholder in Sensimed. According to Sensimed, this transaction will secure its contact lens sensing technology and will help it continue to play a role in the clinical assessment and management of glaucoma patients. ■
AOA TO MAKE 2020 THE YEAR OF THE EYE EXAM
The American Optometric Association (AOA) announced the official launch of the #2020EyeExam campaign to make eye health and vision care a national priority in 2020. The public awareness campaign underscores the importance of receiving an in-person comprehensive eye examination with an AOA doctor of optometry as part of an annual healthcare routine.
Through the #2020EyeExam Employer Pledge program, AOA is spreading the message even further by enlisting visionary employers nationwide to pledge their support for raising employee awareness about the importance of a comprehensive eye exam. For more information on the #2020EyeExam initiative, please visit AOA.org/2020 . ■
ESSILOR VISION FOUNDATION ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO VOTE FOR VISION
Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) believes that 2020 is not just an election year, it’s also the year of vision. It is kicking off this special year by launching its Vote for Vision campaign, which encourages people to prioritize their children’s vision and to donate to the foundation so that children in underserved communities around the country can receive critical vision care.
Anyone can Vote for Vision by making a donation to help someone in need receive an eye exam and glasses. This year, thanks to a matching grant, every donation made by an individual will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000. During the Vote for Vision campaign, anyone who donates $25 or more will receive a Vote for Vision t-shirt.
In addition, because of donors’ support, no child or their family ever receives a bill for vision care from Essilor Vision Foundation. ■
INDUSTRY BRIEFS
- Bausch Health Companies Inc., Bausch + Lomb, and Novaliq GmbH announced that Bausch Health has acquired an exclusive license for the commercialization and development in the United States and Canada of NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane), a first-in-class investigational drug with a novel mechanism of action to treat dry eye disease (DED) associated with meibomian gland dysfunction. NOV03 is a proprietary water-free, preservative-free solution based on Novaliq’s patented EyeSol technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Novaliq is eligible to receive upfront and milestone payments based on regulatory and commercialization milestones and sales royalties based on annual net sales of NOV03 in the United States and Canada. In addition, Bausch Health has the right to pursue development and commercialization of NOV03 for DED and of combination products in additional ophthalmic indications in the United States and Canada.
- Contamac US, Inc. announced two new senior appointments: Jessica Labriola will become vice president, Operations, while John Hibbs will become vice president, Commercial. Both are internal promotions and will become effective April 1, 2020. Ms. Labriola is currently in charge of professional services and customer relations for North America, while Mr. Hibbs is Contamac US, Inc.’s national accounts manager. Both will report to Philipp Polonyi, chief commercial officer of parent company Contamac Ltd. The announcement follows the news that Martin “Marty” Dalsing, Contamac US, Inc.’s director of Global Strategy and New Business Development, will be retiring at the end of March. Mr. Dalsing and his wife Deanna were instrumental in founding Contamac US, Inc. in 2002, and he played a key leadership role in developing the company as a full board member.
- Art Optical introduced a new simplified specialty lens warranty program for 2020 and beyond. Highlights of the No-Worry Warranty program include a longer fitting period of 120 days, unlimited exchanges for parameter and prescription adjustments, full cancellation privileges, an online credit request process, the elimination of all material recovery fees, and no lens returns required on fit and Rx changes. The warranty is offered on the complete product portfolio of lens designs manufactured by Art Optical.
- The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) has honored CooperVision for the fifth consecutive year with its Pre-Treatment Excellence Compliance Award. Given to the company’s Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico contact lens production and packaging facility, the recognition is based on adherence to operating permit conditions, made possible by ongoing investment in the site’s sustainable infrastructure and employee training. Juana Diaz manufactures a range of CooperVision brands shipped worldwide, including Biofinity silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Improvements at the plant have included an overall decreased reliance on manufacturing-related water, additional production monitoring, and reuse of water used in some processes.
- Eyenovia, Inc., a clinical stage ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company that is currently focused on the late-stage development of micro-dosed medications for presbyopia, myopia progression, and mydriasis, announced that Mark Bullimore, PhD, and April Jasper, OD, have joined Eyenovia’s Scientific Advisory Board. Professor Bullimore is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Houston College of Optometry and is also the associate editor of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. Dr. Jasper currently owns and operates Advanced Eyecare Specialists, a group optometry practice in West Palm Beach, FL, and is also a Benedict Professor in practice management at the University of Houston College of Optometry. Dr. Jasper is chief optometric editor of Optometric Management magazine.
- Nicox SA announced that its partner, Bausch + Lomb, has received approval for Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution), 0.024% in Mexico. The approval in Mexico follows approvals of Vyzulta in the United States and Canada. Vyzulta is indicated for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients who have open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
- Notal Vision, Inc., a privately held ophthalmic diagnostic services company, announced that the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel has established three new Category III codes (0604T, 0605T, 0606T) to report patient-initiated remote retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans, which are performed using Notal Vision’s home-based OCT pipeline technology. The new CPT codes allow for billing for the initial device provision, setup, and patient education on use of the home OCT; they also supply a means for the company’s Notal Vision Diagnostic Clinic to provide technical support, data analyses, and reports to physicians and patients. Prescribing physicians or other qualified healthcare professionals will be able to bill for reviewing, interpreting, and reporting data analyses every 30 days.
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