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OPTOMETRISTS NAMED AS SEE TOMORROW VISIONARIES

A group of leading optometrists from across the United States has been named as See Tomorrow Visionaries by the Contact Lens Institute (CLI). The 40 professionals will serve as ambassadors for the new program (SeeTomorrowNow.com ), helping inspire their peers and inform consumers as part of the nationwide initiative launching this summer.

See Tomorrow Visionaries include Dr. Jennifer Branning, Dr. Keylee Brown, Dr. Mile Brujic, Dr. Charles Clayton, Dr. Christi Closson, Dr. Ryan Corte, Dr. Jessica Crooker, Dr. Kathy Dumbleton, Dr. Shane Foster, Dr. Kerry Gelb, Dr. Darryl Glover, Dr. Katie Greiner, Dr. Susan Gromacki, Dr. Jim Hoffman, Dr. Ethan Huisma, Dr. Faheem Inaytali, Dr. Essence Johnson, Dr. Shane Kannarr, Dr. Chris Lievens, Dr. Pam Lowe, Dr. Jenn Lyerly, Dr. Fayiz Mahgoub, Dr. Jason Miller, Dr. Amanda Nanasy, Dr. Gerald R. Neidigh, Dr. Patricia Poma-Nowinski, Dr. Susan Resnick, Dr. Sherrol A. Reynolds, Dr. Danielle Richardson, Dr. Osama Said, Dr. Mark Schaeffer, Dr. Bridgitte Shen Lee, Dr. Keith Smithson, Dr. Katie Spear, Dr. Shauna Thornill, Dr. Will To, Dr. Jason Tu, Dr. John Womack, Dr. Rachel Wruble, and Dr. Jessica Yu. ■

IN MEMORIAM

Naomi “Jo” Svochak

TruForm Optics has announced the passing of former company president Naomi “Jo” Svochak on July 19, 2021. Mrs. Svochak began her career in the contact lens industry alongside her husband, Frank Svochak Sr., a true pioneer of contact lens machining, when they founded TruForm Optics in 1976. After Frank’s passing in 1982, Jo assumed the role of president (until 2019), and her passion to help people see their world better was made possible through TruForm’s countless contact lens design and machinery advancements throughout her 37 years of service to the industry.

She was the first female to hold the position of president of the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association (CLMA) from 1999 to 2000. In 2013, she received the CLMA’s Trailblazers Award for her outstanding achievement in product development for the enhancement of the contact lens industry. Since the inception of the Trailblazers Award in 1987, she remains the only female to have received the coveted award. ■

Anthony “Tony” Adams, OD, PhD

Tony Adams recently died peacefully, with family at his side. Dr. Adams had served as dean of Berkeley Optometry from 1992 to 2001. He, along with his life partner Elna, who passed earlier this year, mentored and inspired generations of students, academics, future leaders, and change makers.

Dr. Adams’ contributions to the profession include service as chair of the Committee on Vision of the National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council (1985 to 1988). He issued a report titled “Myopia, Progression and Prevalence” in 1987, directed at late-onset myopia, which slowly changed attitudes at the National Eye Institute, which had no interest in human myopia at the time. It also helped lead indirectly to his Orinda Longitudinal Study of Myopia in 1992 with his PhD students Donald Mutti and Karla Zadnik.

Dr. Adams’ accolades include president, American Academy of Optometry (1998); Distinguished Practitioner, National Academies of Practice in Optometry (1998); president, National Board of Examiners in Optometry (1985 to 1987); Prentice Medal (2003) and Eminent Service Award (2004), American Academy of Optometry; H.B. Collin Research Medal (2012); California Optometry Educator of the Year (2004); National Optometry Hall of Fame (2004); president, American Optometric Foundation (2008); and the American Academy of Optometry Life Fellowship Award (2016). He also had been inducted into the Berkeley Optometry Hall of Fame in 2014. And, in 2020, he received the inaugural UC Berkeley School of Optometry Tony Adams Lifetime Achievement Award for his impressive, important, and enduring accomplishments to the school and to the profession. ■

INDUSTRY BRIEFS

• The Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), which regulates medical devices and pharmaceuticals, has approved CooperVision’s MiSight 1 Day contact lenses for use within the country following a priority review. MiSight 1 Day contact lenses are now available in more than 25 countries.
• CooperVision has launched a digital marketing campaign called “Do One Better.” The initiative educates consumers on the sustainable features of its Clariti 1 Day contact lenses and drives potential wearers to the eyecare practitioners who prescribe them. This effort highlights how Clariti 1 Day makes a positive impact on the environment and encourages contact lens wearers to “do one better” by choosing a daily disposable lens that benefits their comfort, their vision, and the planet, according to the company. A series of social media and banner ads will lead consumers to coopervision.com/plastic-neutrality , where they can learn about CooperVision’s partnership with Plastic Bank to make Clariti 1 Day the first net-plastic-neutral contact lens, about the sustainable manufacturing processes used to make the lenses, and about the role that contact lens wearers can play in making a difference. CooperVision has also engaged several social media influencers to educate their audiences about how to “do one better.”
• Heru Inc., the developer of wearable AI-powered vision diagnostics and augmentation software, has expanded its executive leadership team with the appointment of several strategic hires. Joining Heru are Mary Durbin, PhD, as chief scientific officer, Bob George as chief technology officer, Corey Nielson as chief customer officer, and John Trefethen, MFA, as chief marketing officer.
• The American Medical Association (AMA) assigned three Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes that are unique to NovaSight’s CureSight, an eye tracking-based amblyopia treatment targeted toward children and intended to replace the current standard-of-care eye patch. With an implementation date of Jan. 1, 2022, 0X57T is associated with the equipment needed for remote treatment of amblyopia using an eye-tracking device, 0X58T is associated with surveillance-center technical support of patient activity on the device, and 0X59T is associated with physician interpretation and reporting of the data collected through the technology.
• Topcon Corporation announced that it has acquired Visia Imaging S.r.l, an ophthalmic device manufacturer headquartered in Florence, Italy. According to the company, the acquisition enhances Topcon’s development and manufacturing capabilities of anterior segment devices and software, which complements the company’s strong portfolio of posterior segment imaging devices that includes fundus cameras and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Founded in 1993, Visia specializes in the design, development, and manufacturing of anterior segment hardware and software. For many years, Topcon has been a distributor of Visia’s technology.
• Precision Technology Services (PTS) announced the addition of Steve Turpin, OD, MS, to its team. Dr. Turpin will enter the role of general manager, paying special attention to professional affairs and education. Dr. Turpin brings his experience as a residency-trained, specialty contact lens fitter to PTS following the time he spent building a specialty lens practice in Washington.
• Euclid Systems Corporation has appointed Vance Thompson, MD, to the position of chief medical officer. As a leading international researcher, Dr. Thompson has played a key role in the development of advanced technologies and techniques for both laser and implant vision correction. He has served as the medical monitor lead or principal investigator in many U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-monitored clinical trials and has lectured and taught advanced procedures to thousands of surgeons around the world.
• The International Myopia Institute reported that Oculus has announced its support of IMI activities to advance the research and awareness of myopia to prevent future vision impairment and blindness.
• NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has partnered with ImprimisRx to promote prescription Avenova. ImprimisRx, a wholly owned subsidiary of Harrow Health, Inc., will provide NovaBay with national sales, marketing, and distribution support for its U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared 0.01% hypochlorous acid Avenova in 40ml bottles. Avenova is an antimicrobial lid and lash solution for the management of numerous chronic eye conditions.
• Visioneering Technologies, Inc. (VTI) announced a partnership with Innovatus Technology Pty Ltd of Adelaide, Australia, a company that develops software designed to simplify and automate the design of custom contact lenses, such as those used in orthokeratology and other GP contact lens applications. The software, called EyeSpace, is now used by eyecare practitioners in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Russia, Mexico, Colombia, the United States, and Canada. The lenses created using the EyeSpace software are produced by manufacturing partners in each region. Under the agreement, VTI will be the exclusive sales and distribution partner in the United States and Canada for Forge Ortho-K lenses and Bespoke corneal GP contact lenses, both of which are ordered using the EyeSpace software system. VTI expected sales of Forge Ortho-K and Bespoke corneal GP products to begin in August 2021.
  In unrelated news, VTI has added ABB Optical Group Canada, Inc. (ABB Canada) as the company’s newest authorized distributor business partner in Canada for the NaturalVue (etafilcon A) Multifocal 1 Day contact lenses.
• Monty Montoya has been named CEO of TherOptix, a preclinical biopharma company focused on delivering clinically impactful therapeutics via a drug-eluting contact lens platform. Mr. Montoya has 30 years of experience in ophthalmology and most recently served as a founder and CEO of CorneaGen and as founder of Aurion Biotech. Prior to CorneaGen, he served as CEO of SightLife.
• Santen and Sydnexis have signed an exclusive licensing agreement for SYD-101, Sydnexis’ investigational proprietary low-dose atropine formulation for childhood myopia, for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). SYD-101 is currently undergoing a large multicenter phase 3 clinical trial in Europe and the United States.
• Oyster Point Pharma announced an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals to develop and commercialize OC-01 (varenicline) and OC-02 (simpinicline) nasal sprays for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease for patients in Greater China. Ji Xing is a biotechnology company headquartered in Shanghai and founded by RTW Investments, focused on bringing breakthrough medicines to underserved Chinese patients who have refractory, serious, and life-threatening diseases.
• Essilor Vision Foundation and Vision Source joined forces to promote Essilor’s See Kids Soar charitable program, which raises awareness and funds for the cause of vision. Eyecare providers enrolled in the program receive related in-office educational materials.
• Join us for the Grand Reopening of the Optometric Management Symposium (OMS), being held Dec. 2 to 5, 2021, at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. OMS is the premier event for clinical and business management and optical strategies. This 3.5-day conference offers a great balance of continuing education, networking opportunities, and time to export and learn the latest in the exhibit hall. For more information and to register, visit omconference.com . This event is presented by Optometric Management, Contact Lens Spectrum, and Eyecare Business.