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Contact Lens Spectrum

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NEWS SPECTRUM

Contact Lens Spectrum November 1, 2021 Vol 36, Issue November 2021 Page(s): 1, 2, 4

CONTACT LENS SPECTRUM CONTINUES ITS RESIDENTS PROGRAM

Contact Lens Spectrum (CLS) is once again working with residents and post-graduate students to give them experience with trade journal publishing and an opportunity to attain a greater understanding of the latest information in CLS. Participants will help the CLS editors review clinical information and references of manuscripts submitted for publication. This will help increase their knowledge in those topic areas, and it will also help ensure that CLS is publishing the most accurate and timely information available. Participants of the 2021-2022 program include:

  • Sabari Arcot, OD, clinical resident, University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry
  • Christina Chen, OD, cornea and contact lens resident, University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science
  • Christina Cherny, OD, cornea and contact lenses + ocular disease resident, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
  • Brittany Darnley, OD, cornea and contact lens resident, New England College of Optometry
  • Isabel Deakins, OD, cornea and contact lenses + ocular disease resident, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
  • Kevin Feng, OD, cornea and contact lens resident, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University
  • Klaus Ito, OD, cornea and contact lens resident, University of Virginia Department of Ophthalmology
  • Andrea Labunski, OD, cornea and contact lens resident, New England College of Optometry
  • Melissa Levine, OD, cornea and contact lens resident, SUNY College of Optometry
  • Stephanie M. Schumacher, OD, cornea and contact lens resident, Michigan College of Optometry
  • Cindy Shan, OD, cornea and contact lens resident, Northeastern State University College of Optometry
  • Michael Wong, OD, MS, Michael G. Harris cornea and contact lens resident, UC Berkeley School of Optometry

KEEP UP WITH INDUSTRY NEWS

between issues of Contact Lens Spectrum by subscribing to our e-mail newsletter, Contact Lenses Today. Visit the CLS site (clspectrum.com/newsletters ) to subscribe.

$50 MILLION PLEDGED TO BERKELEY OPTOMETRY

The University of California, Berkeley, announced that the Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation has pledged $50 million to the UC Berkeley School of Optometry. This transformational commitment constitutes the lead gift for a 10-year, $100 million investment that will expand the school’s ability to train the next generation of optometric physicians and educators. To honor the landmark gift, the school will be named the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science.

The gift will support new clinical and educational facilities, the expansion of the school’s clinical network and residency training, a focus on new initiatives for children’s vision, the creation of endowed support for both professional and research graduate students, and a new Vision Science Institute to help unite vision research at UC Berkeley. These initiatives will be supported by the creation of two new, endowed, Chancellor’s Chairs: the Herbert Wertheim Chair in Neuro-Optometry and the Nicole Wertheim Chair in Pediatric Optometry.

Dr. Wertheim is known for his work as an optometrist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and inventor. He is founder and CEO of Brain Power Incorporated (BPI), which manufactures ophthalmic instruments and chemicals and was the first to discover and manufacture a variety of sun-filtering, UV-blocking, and therapeutic eyeglass tints that help improve vision performance, prevent cataracts, and reduce retinal and corneal deterioration. ■

COOPERVISION OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR 2022 BEST PRACTICES HONOREES

CooperVision, Inc. announced its search for the nation’s 2022 Best Practices. The program celebrates the innovative ways that U.S. eyecare practices deliver exceptional patient care and advance the profession, bringing them together to share their insights with their peers. New this year, the program structure has been enhanced so that honorees will now be recognized in five key categories: industry advancement, community impact, patient experience, specialty services, and team building.

All U.S. independent and corporate optometry practices currently fitting any brand of contact lenses are eligible to apply, although the program is not solely focused on such. Applications can be submitted at www.coopervision.com/practitioner/best-practices/apply through Nov. 30, 2021 and will be reviewed by a panel of judges including previous Best Practices honorees, industry experts, and CooperVision leaders. The 2022 Best Practices will be announced early next year. ■

AAO AWARD AND TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS

Each year, the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) recognizes distinguished individuals who have made countless important contributions to advancing the profession of optometry.

  • Stephen A. Burns, PhD, Charles F. Prentice Medal and Lecture Award
  • Konrad Pesudovs, OD, PhD, Glenn A. Fry Award and Lecture (American Academy of Optometry Foundation [AAOF] Award)
  • Bina J. Patel, OD, AAO-Essilor Award for Outstanding, International Contributions to Optometry
  • Gang Luo, PhD, William Feinbloom Award
  • Robert E. Molter Jr., OD; and Kimberly S. Molter, OD, Brien Holden Humanitarian Award
  • Tawna L. Roberts, OD, PhD, Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award
  • Raymond Kraker, MSPH, Carel C. Koch Memorial Medal Award
  • Hannah R. Gregory, OD, MS, Julius F. Neumueller Award in Optics (AAOF Award)
  • Paul Chamberlain, BSc (Hons); Sofia C. Peixoto-De-Matos, MSc; Nicola S. Logan, PhD; Cheryl Ngo, MBBS, MMed; Deborah Jones, BSc; and Graeme Young, PhD, Garland W. Clay Award
  • Etty Bitton, OD, MSc; and Anne Mika Moy, OD, Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education (AAOF Award)

AWARDS OF THE SECTION ON CORNEA, CONTACT LENSES AND REFRACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

  • Carolyn G. Begley, OD, MS, Max Schapero Memorial Lecture Award
  • Joseph T. Barr, OD, MS, Founders’ Award

AWARDS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL VISION SECTION

  • W. Howard McAlister, OD, MPH, Henry B. Peters Award for Public Health and Environmental Vision (AAOF Award)

The AAO and AAOF also announced the recipients of this year’s Resident Travel Fellowships. These travel fellowships will allow residents to attend Academy 2021 Boston. The full list of recipients is available at www.aaopt.org/home/aaof/news-detail/2021/10/05/american-academy-of-optometry-foundation-is-pleased-to-announce-the-2021-aao-aaof-resident-travel-fellowship-recipients . ■

JJV ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION TO ELIMINATE INEQUITIES

Johnson & Johnson Vision (JJV) recently announced a collaboration with Black EyeCare Perspective, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to redefining the color of the eyecare industry 1% at a time. As part of the collaboration, JJV signed the 13% Promise, an initiative to increase equity and representation in the eyecare industry and in optometry schools by increasing the number of Black students to mirror the 13% of Black people in the U.S. population. According to data from Black EyeCare Perspective, only 3.2% of students and 3.8% of faculty in optometry colleges are Black or African American, and this number drops to only 1.8% among practicing optometrists. JJV will contribute to the 13% Promise by continuing to support sponsorships and new programs to improve representation of people of color in optometry, bring more diversity and equity into the eyecare industry, and create more culturally relevant information and eye health education materials. ■

SYMPOSIUM SPOTLIGHT: GSLS PHOTO CONTEST

The Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) is seeking interesting photographs of conditions, diseases, or other occurrences from your clinical practice, with a special interest in contact lenses and the anterior segment. Three winning photos will be featured on a future issue cover of Contact Lens Spectrum.

Submit entries at https://bit.ly/GSLS22photo no later than Dec. 31, 2021. ■

INDUSTRY BRIEFS

  • HPO, an inventor of selective high-energy visible light (HEVL)-filtering and a technology developer for light filtering and management, has entered into multiple licensing and development agreements with Alcon. HPO has an exclusive license with Alcon for HPO’s Selective HEVL intellectual property as well as a technology development agreement for the ongoing advancement of HEVL-filtering contact lens material solutions.
  • Bausch Health has filed confidentially for the initial public offerings of its eye health business Bausch + Lomb and of its medical aesthetics business Global Solta, according to MarketWatch. The company has not yet set terms for either deal but expects them to be completed on previously communicated timelines of the fourth quarter of 2021 or the first half of 2022, based on market conditions.
  • Luneau Technology Group announced its merger with Optovue Inc. Founded by Jay Wei in 2003, Optovue develops high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography (OCT-A) technology to diagnose and manage eye diseases. Luneau Technology pioneered wavefront-based diagnostic and finishing solutions and led the development of highly automated solutions for the past 15 years. Dr. Marc Abitbol, CEO of Luneau Technology, will preside over the newly merged company, while Optovue CEO Peter Wyles will join the global leadership team.
  • CooperVision announced additions to its Professional Affairs teams—Karen Walsh, MCOptom, PGDip; Arti Shah, OD; and Justine Siergey, OD. Dr. Walsh steps into a newly created role as director, Global Professional Affairs, 1 Day & FRP Brands. Concurrently, two industry veterans within CooperVision’s Global Professional Affairs team are now devoting additional time to the company’s expansive research and development initiatives: Gary Orsborn, global head, Post-Market Clinical Studies at CooperVision, and Anna Sulley, director, Medical Affairs, have joined the CooperVision R&D organization, increasing vital focus on company-wide clinical research collaborations to further advance and accelerate portfolio innovation. Dr. Shah brings more than 20 years of experience to a new role as senior manager, U.S. Professional and Academic Affairs—West, CooperVision. Dr. Siergey joins CooperVision Specialty EyeCare as manager, Professional Affairs, Irregular Cornea. In addition, Kelly Voltz, OD, has been promoted to senior manager, Professional & Clinical Affairs, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare. Dr. Voltz will now assume additional leadership responsibilities, including developing and nurturing partnerships both internally and externally to increase specialty prescribing confidence among both prospective and current ECPs.
  • Hilco Vision has acquired Bruder Healthcare LLC effective Sept. 17, 2021. Hilco’s product portfolio is concentrated on five primary product categories: professional optical tools, ophthalmic supplies, vision protection, consumer accessories, and lens care. Bruder Healthcare’s core products include eye compresses and lid hygiene cleansers that provide eyecare professionals with a range of solutions to address dry eye and ocular surface conditions. Bruder Healthcare will continue to be based out of Alpharetta, GA.
  • Glaukos Corporation has entered into a licensing agreement with Attillaps Holdings, Inc. Under the agreement, Glaukos has the exclusive global right to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize products using certain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases caused by Demodex mites. Attillaps’ lead compounds have demonstrated promising in-vitro results in preclinical settings. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
  • Monica Jong, BOptom, PhD, has been appointed to Global Professional Education Lead, Myopia at Johnson & Johnson Vision. Dr. Jong co-founded and led the International Myopia Institute (IMI), setting up and collaborating with a global advisory board of renowned ophthalmology and optometry thought leaders and bringing together commercial representatives of the vision care sector to strategically build awareness of myopia. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading how Johnson & Johnson Vision educates and trains professionals in myopia and will create innovative ways of engaging global stakeholders through science and education. The appointment of Dr. Jong to this position follows the recent appointment of Chandra Mickles, OD, MS, as North America Professional Education Lead, Myopia.
  • SynergEyes, Inc. announced the release of eight practitioner interview videos. Developed as part of an ongoing strategy to provide impactful tools for practitioners, the new SynergEyes ID videos capture ODs answering a variety of questions on topics such as How Do You Select Patients for SynergEyes ID?, How Do You Present SynergEyes ID to Your Patients?, How Is The Fitting Process Streamlined with SynergEyes ID?, How Do You Conduct Application & Removal Training for SynergEyes ID?, What Is It Like Ordering SynergEyes ID Empirically?, What’s Your Favorite SynergEyes ID Moment? What Advice For Colleagues Do You Have Regarding SynergEyes ID?, and How Does SynergEyes ID Improve Your Practice? The SynergEyes ID videos are available online at https://synergeyes.com/professional/synergeyes-id-practitioner-insights .
  • Allergan, an AbbVie company, launched BlurryNearVision.com , a website offering information on presbyopia. The site features an interactive component that shows how people see text up close when they have presbyopia and a quiz to uncover how the condition could be affecting their daily lives. Allergan says that visitors can use these tools as a starting point when talking to their eyecare practitioners about their symptoms.
  • CooperVision Specialty EyeCare launched its Paragon CRT Calculator mobile application for eyecare professionals (ECPs). The multifunctional app includes several features aimed at simplifying the fitting process for CRT and CRT Dual Axis contact lens prescribers. The application is free to download on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

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