JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION UNVEILS NEW MYOPIA GUIDE
Johnson & Johnson Vision announced a new guide that includes recommendations for eyecare professionals to assess, monitor, and treat myopia in children. The guide—Managing Myopia: A Clinical Response to the Growing Epidemic—is a result of a year of collaboration with leading organizations in optometry, including the American Optometric Association (AOA), the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), and the Singapore Optometric Association (SOA). This marks the latest milestone to address the growing myopia epidemic following the establishment of a strategic research partnership between Johnson & Johnson Vision, the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), and the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI).
Managing Myopia: A Clinical Response to the Growing Epidemic provides a research-based rationale for how and why we need to prioritize the eye health of children. The guide is available to download at https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/covalentcreative/jjv/media/documents/Managing_Myopia_Clinical_Guide_Dec_2020.pdf . ■
HEALTHY EYES HEALTHY CHILDREN GRANT RECIPIENTS
Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation announced the 2020 recipients of the Healthy Eyes Healthy Children (HEHC) grant program. A total of $73,300 was awarded to 15 local community projects that address unique and diverse populations: Access to Comprehensive Vision Care for Low-Income Children (Illinois), ACE Kern 20/20 School-Based Vision Centers (California), Beyond 2020 Vision (Nebraska), Children’s Vision Issues and Parent Education PSA (New Mexico), Eye Can See (Ohio), Eye Physical: Pediatric Community Eye Care (Louisiana), HB 5297 Child Vision Bill Teacher & Parent Ed. Materials (Michigan), iCare4Kids – Children’s Vision Program (Texas), ICare4Kids (Missouri), In Her Vision (North Carolina), Looking Out for Kids (Pennsylvania), Low Vision and Children Outreach: Community Education (California), READ: Resources, Education and Access for kids with Disabilities (Massachusetts), See Kids See (Utah), and Vision Care for Underserved Children in Arizona. The grants of up to $5,000 were for grassroots projects that align with HEHC’s main objective to spread awareness and increase vision services to underserved children with uncorrected refractive errors. ■
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BCLA TO PUBLISH GLOBAL CONSENSUS REPORT
A new global consensus report from the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) will deliver evidence-based guidance to eyecare professionals around the world on all aspects of prescribing and fitting contact lenses. The Contact Lens Evidence-based Academic Reports (CLEAR) will be published in the March 2021 issue of the BCLA journal Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. CLEAR was made possible by educational grants from Alcon and CooperVision. The report will be made available to both BCLA members and non-members.
CLEAR will feature 10 overview papers. The topic areas and panel chairs are anatomy and physiology of the anterior eye–Dr. Laura Downie; biochemistry of lens materials, coating, comfort drops and solutions–Professor Mark Willcox; effect of lens materials/design on the anatomy and physiology of the eye–Professor Philip Morgan; specialty lenses–orthokeratology–Professor Stephen Vincent and Professor Pauline Cho; specialty lenses–sclerals–Dr. Melissa Barnett; contact lens complications–Professor Fiona Stapleton; medical use of contact lenses–Associate Professor Debbie Jacobs; contact lens optics–Dr. Kathryn Richdale; future applications of contact lenses–Professor Lyndon Jones; and evidence-based contact lens practice–Professor James Wolffsohn.
BCLA members will receive a copy of the CLEAR as part of their member benefits. Non-members can either join the BCLA ahead of the report publication or subscribe to CLAE via the Elsevier site. ■
SYMPOSIUM SPOTLIGHT: GSLS 2021 ON DEMAND
The 2021 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS), which was held Jan. 21 to 23, has now made all of the sessions available on-demand at https://gsls2021.myconexsys.com . To access the on-demand sessions, go to the Agenda Page and select the session you would like to watch. If you already registered/added this session to your agenda, the OnDemand video will pop up automatically. If you did not attend a session, click the “Register and Add to Agenda” button. The OnDemand sessions will be available on the GSLS platform until April 30. In addition, registrants can visit the Sponsor Marketplace for education and information from GSLS supporters. ■
THE VISION COUNCIL AND REED EXHIBITIONS TO REIMAGINE VISION EXPO’S EDUCATION OFFERINGS
The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions, co-owners of Vision Expo, are reimagining the show’s continuing education offerings with the launch of VisionEd Direct, a new virtual continuing education platform offering on-demand accredited courses, and with plans for a new education area to debut at Vision Expo East 2021.
VisionEd Direct launched with 10 hours of accredited education. Complete course descriptions can be found at education.visionexpo.com . VisionEd Direct courses are available on-demand. They also plan to debut VisionEd, a rebranded, in-person education area dedicated to seminars, workshops, and presentations, at Vision Expo East 2021, set to take place May 25 to 28 in New York City. ■
6TH ANNUAL OPTOMETRY STUDENT CHALLENGE WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Three optometry students were recognized during the 2021 Global Specialty Lens Symposium virtual conference as winners of the 6th Annual Optometry Student Challenge, a program designed by ABB Optical Group, in collaboration with Paragon Vision Sciences. Optometry students submitted contact lens-related abstracts for the chance to win $1,500 each. The challenge, which is hosted yearly, is open to students in their third and fourth years of study. Abstracts are judged on academic merit by a panel of industry experts. The lead authors of the scientific posters were Suzy Chen, BS, of State University of New York College of Optometry; Cade Millikin, of Indiana University School of Optometry; and Jonathan King, BS, also of Indiana University School of Optometry. This year, six finalists were selected and had the unique opportunity to present their posters during a live webinar event, which took place in December. Webinar participants were able to vote on their favorite poster presentation, and their votes were incorporated into the overall selection of this year’s challenge winners. Three students were also named as honorable mention winners and were each awarded a $250 cash prize. ■
IDOC ANNOUNCES KEYNOTE LINE UP FOR CONNECTION 2021
IDOC confirmed a roster of three keynote speakers for its upcoming national conference, The Connection 2021, which will be entirely virtual this year and is scheduled for Feb. 3 to 5. The first-time virtual Connection will feature live chat rooms, sponsor booths, continuing education, and engaging industry presentations along with other interactive experiences.
On Feb. 3, attorney, leadership expert, and best-selling author Kim Becking will present “Punch in the Gut Moments: How to Get up, Grit up, and Conquer Change,” an exploration of response to change and adversity. On Feb. 4, Keynote Guest Jay Baer will follow with his presentation of “4 Ways to Win: How Small Businesses Can Outflank the Big Guys and Thrive.” Finally, on Feb. 5, “The Power of Resilience in Cultivating Healthy Leaders and A Healthy Team” will be presented by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a Board-Certified physician, speaker, and author.
The Connection 2021 agenda will feature an expanded wellness track that includes lifestyle and self-care sessions, all in addition to traditional clinical and business-focused topics, each uniquely customized for eyecare practitioners, billers, front desk professionals, office managers, opticians, and optometric tech.
The Connection 2021 is open to all independent optometry practices. To see the full agenda and to keep up-to-date with conference news, register at www.idoc.net/virtualconnection . ■
INDUSTRY BRIEFS
- Hi-Health announced the launch of its new Eye Care Division. Even though the company’s Vista products are considered non-prescription therapies, each has been assigned a National Drug Code (NDC) number linking it to Hi-Health’s Licensed pharmacy. The initial product offering includes artificial tears and tea tree oil-based lid cleansing products (see Product Spectrum on p. 48). These are combined with a family of advanced macular and dry eye supplements to support ocular health. The products are delivered exclusively through eyecare practitioners.
- PECAA has launched a new classifieds resource section on its website. While posting an ad is an exclusive member benefit, the ads are public and viewable to the entire industry. Ads are categorized into the areas of equipment, practices for sale, job postings, and other. Individuals interested in a listing will find relevant contact information, images, and a description of the item or opportunity. To view the new classifieds resource section, visit pecaa.com/classifieds .
- Neil Retallic, European Professional Services Director for Menicon, has been unveiled as the British Contact Lens Association’s (BCLA) President Elect. He will take over from current president, Indie Grewal, following the 2021 BCLA Annual General Meeting. Based in Nottingham, he is also an Assessor and Examiner for the College of Optometrists. Previously, his roles included Professional Services Manager for CooperVision, Learning and Development Manager for Vision Express, and Optometry Teaching Fellow for the University of Manchester. He replaces Professor Christine Purslow as president elect after she decided to step down from the role.
- Sunbit announced a full integration with LensQuote. According to the company, the integration eliminates the need for manual calculations, allowing optical staff to present pricing as soon as a patient is ready to checkout. Optical retailers will be able to offer a “Pay As Low As” price that shows consumers the average monthly payment for the cost of their annual supply of contact lenses if they choose to split their payment using Sunbit technology. Customers who choose that pricing option will simply scan their driver’s license, enter their email address, and see payment options over three, six, and 12 months. Sunbit offers a three-month, no interest plan to all approved patients at participating optical practices, giving eyecare professionals an incentive to sell more annual contact lens supplies.
- Nicox SA announced that its partner, Bausch + Lomb, has received approval for latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution, 0.024% (marketed as Vyzulta in the United States) in Colombia, where it will be marketed under the brand name Cliropta. In addition, it has launched Vyzulta in Mexico. Approval was obtained in Mexico in January 2020.
- Ocular Therapeutix announced the submission of a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Dextenza (dexamethasone ophthalmic insert) 0.4mg for intracanalicular use. If approved, this sNDA would include the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis as an additional approved indication of Dextenza. The company has received acceptance of the sNDA submission to the FDA and anticipates a target action date under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) in October 2021.
- Oyster Point Pharma, Inc. announced that it has submitted a 505(b)(2) New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for OC-01 (varenicline) nasal spray for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. According to the company, OC-01 is a highly selective cholinergic agonist being developed as a multidose preservative-free nasal spray to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. OC-01 (varenicline) nasal spray is an investigational new drug and has not been approved for any indication in any country. The safety and efficacy of OC-01 (varenicline) nasal spray have not previously been established.
- Keeler announced the launch of its Global Portal at keelerglobal.com . The site will allow physicians, technology groups, the ophthalmic industry, and future partners to engage with Keeler on OEM (original equipment manufacturer) manufacturing services, strategic partnerships, and product ideas to bring to market.
- Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the launch of Eysuvis (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension) 0.25% for the short-term (up to two weeks) treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. Eysuvis is now available in national and regional U.S. pharmaceutical distribution centers. Patients who have a prescription can access Eysuvis through their local retail pharmacies or through home delivery.
- Sight4All has changed its name to OcuDoc. The firm has been developing a mobile autorefractor, named TESA—The EyeSight App. According to the company, OcuDoc Mobile (formerly TESA) will be a standalone smartphone app that can provide accurate, fast, objective autorefraction and telerefraction, all without the need for additional equipment. Eyecare professionals (ECPs) will be able to use OcuDoc Mobile as their practice’s everyday autorefractor and to send the app for patient and caregiver utilization at home, with results delivered back to the ECP.
- The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) CORE Knowledge 2.0, which is a game presenting a range of rapid-fire, multiple choice questions covering a wide variety of basic and clinical ocular research topics, is now available with the addition of close to 100 new topics and a reset leaderboard at www.COREKnowledgeGame.org .
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