- ABB Optical Group will be the exclusive distributor of Performance Vision Technologies, Inc.’s (PVTI) performance-tinted single-use soft contact lenses under the brand name Altius, which means “Higher” in Latin. According to the company, Altius incorporates light architecture and 360° total immersion technology into a single-use soft contact lens modality to reduce visual distractions. The lenses are available in two outdoor-use tints, Altius Amber and Altius Grey-Green. Altius lenses are now available to a select group of eyecare practitioners in the United States, though expansion is planned.
- The New England College of Optometry (NECO) announced plans to develop a distance education doctor of optometry program in partnership with Noodle, an online learning network. The proposed Hybrid OD will combine an interactive online learning environment with in-person, hands-on clinical training, expanding the availability of optometry education to students in areas without nearby programs. NECO’s faculty will develop the course curriculum, working in collaboration with Noodle. The proposed program will require review and approval by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) to begin student recruitment.
- Myopia Profile has launched its Communicating the Myopia Message online course (available at https://portal.myopiaprofile.com/Courses/All/Details/fbf8e0c7-c950-4f8e-ac59-4926a2de4f06 ). According to the company, the key inspiration for the self-paced latest course is the challenge of communicating the often complex and evolving science of myopia, providing eyecare practitioners (ECPs) with tried-and-tested messages and practical tools. The interactive two-hour course, instructed by Drs. Kate and Paul Gifford, covers all aspects of the myopia management journey from a communications perspective. Each lesson provides a scientific foundation, with advice on communicating this knowledge to parents. The 25 lessons, spaced over six modules, also include interactive parent communication scenarios, downloadable support tools, quick quizzes, and more. The course is COPE CE approved in North America, CPD approved in Australia and New Zealand, and CET approved in the United Kingdom. The cost of the course is $45 per virtual seat, with the first chapter available to preview at no charge. Reduced course fees are available for select countries to increase global accessibility and for bulk purchases.
- CooperVision has launched an initiative called the CooperVision Student Myopia Leadership Society. Each of the 23 schools and colleges of optometry across the United States and Canada has designated a third-year student for participation, based on interest in the disease, academic performance, and other school-determined criteria. Selected students serve a one-year term. This program joins the rebranded Student Contact Lens Leadership Society to which all North American schools and colleges of optometry likewise name an annual participant. Participants receive several opportunities to collaborate with their peers, hear from myopia management experts, improve their understanding of evidence-based science, and gain insights into successful practice operations. The students are also offered travel grants to two educational industry events of their choosing, including the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) Annual Meeting, the Global Specialty Lens Symposium, Vision by Design, and the Global Myopia Symposium. In addition, the myopia student leaders are also invited to complete Brilliant Futures certification. The 2021-2022 class of student leaders joined CooperVision at an exclusive welcome reception during the recent AAO Annual Meeting in Boston.
- Euclid Systems Corporation announced two additions to its leadership team: Greg Endicott and Mark Mercier. As chief information officer (CIO), Mr. Endicott will lead Euclid’s strategic technology program and drive business initiatives in collaboration with global business leaders, including exploration of emerging technologies and new strategies. Previously, he had a leadership role at Baxter Bioscience and was the inaugural CIO of two scientific research companies. The new senior director of operations is Mr. Mercier, a transformation specialist who has decades of experience in contact lens manufacturing at Bausch + Lomb. Mr. Mercier will drive efficient methodologies throughout Euclid’s manufacturing and fulfillment.
- Avellino Lab USA, Inc. announced that Jon Robson is the company’s new CEO and member of the board of directors. Mr. Robson replaces former Avellino CEO Jim Mazzo, who has transitioned to an advisory role for the company. Mr. Robson will lead the company’s next phase of innovation and growth, including further integrating Avellino’s depth of genetic expertise with machine learning, AI, and big data. He was previously founder and CEO of MoneyLine Telerate, CEO of Reuters Americas, president of Thomson Reuters Enterprise Division, CEO of NYSE Technologies, president of First Derivatives plc, and president of DXC Luxoft‘s Capital Markets division.
- Santen unveiled plans to launch the first bio-based plastic eyedrop bottle in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. The plastic element of the bottles is made from a sugar cane-derived material called “I’m green Polyethylene.” According to Santen, this uses natural resources while maintaining the structural integrity of traditional plastic, thus ensuring that the medication is stable and reaches patients in perfect condition. The bottles were introduced in Japan in June 2021 and will be followed in EMEA in early 2023. The new eyedrop bottles are being introduced for three of Santen’s products initially, with hopes to expand further.
- CooperCompanies announced two senior leadership changes, effective Feb. 1, 2022. Dan McBride, executive vice president (EVP), chief operating officer of CooperCompanies, will take on additional responsibilities that span the organization. In his expanded role, Mr. McBride will continue to be responsible for CooperVision while also assuming global leadership for human resources and legal in addition to assuming a more active role in corporate strategy. In conjunction with this move, Jerry Warner, EVP, Americas and Global Commercial Functions of CooperVision, will be promoted to president of CooperVision. In his new role as president of CooperVision, Mr. Warner will oversee all worldwide functions within the CooperVision business unit and will continue to report to Mr. McBride.
- CooperVision has launched its new Simply Satisfied Guarantee program. The program provides new wearers with greater incentive to try contact lenses and encourages existing wearers to upgrade to CooperVision Clariti 1 Day, Biofinity, and MyDay lenses. If patients are not fully satisfied with their CooperVision contact lenses within 100 days of purchase, the Simply Satisfied Guarantee allows them to return up to two opened boxes of contact lenses directly to CooperVision for a full refund. In addition, if new wearers are ultimately dissatisfied with contact lenses altogether, they may also be eligible to receive a refund from CooperVision for their contact lens fitting fee. For more information, including full terms and conditions of the program, please visit www.coopervision.com/simply-satisfied .
- Treehouse Eyes is adopting Johnson & Johnson Vision’s Acuvue Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for Myopia Management across its network of eyecare professionals. Starting now, families visiting Treehouse Eyes practitioners in select cities and practices will have the option to see whether Abiliti Overnight orthokeratology lenses are the right fit for their vision needs. Treehouse Eyes and Johnson & Johnson Vision will also collaborate to develop an educational program for myopia management in children.
- Valley Contax, Inc. has announced five new leadership changes, effective Dec. 1, 2021. The company has promoted Rob Ahern to operations director; Adeline Bauer, OD, to professional relations director; CharliRae Edmunds to professional services director; Jack Fisher to technology director; and Laura Osinga to finance director. In their expanded roles, each of the directors will continue to be responsible for overseeing their departments. In parallel, each department can build upon the infrastructure required to meet the company’s goals, both short-term and long-term.
- The Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) is executing its fifth direct-to-consumer awareness campaign. Launched in the first week of December, the campaign raises awareness of myopia in children as a treatable disease and motivates parents to take action and ask eyecare practitioners (ECPs) about new treatment options available—beyond conventional glasses and contact lenses—that can help slow the progression of the disease. GMAC is collaborating with parent influencers and, for the first time, with ECP influencers, who will share their personal and professional myopia stories on Instagram and TikTok. Additionally, GMAC will distribute editorial content to online newspapers across the United States to reach parents and to direct them to the GMAC website.
- Vision Path Inc., the parent company of Hubble Contacts and ContactsCart, named Rachael Durkin as vice president of Merchandising and Strategy. In this role, Ms. Durkin will oversee Hubble’s continued expansion into new verticals within the vision industry, which began with the hire of Steve Druckman as CEO earlier this year. Most recently, she served as general manager of Allswell, Walmart’s omni-direct-to-consumer brand mattresses.
- Waldo announced the launch of its practitioner partnership program in the United States. Waldo is a direct-to-consumer online contact lens company that offers practitioners the ability to keep patients and revenues when lenses are purchased from this channel. According to the company, physicians are involved every step of the way, fitting the lens in-office, reviewing prescription orders placed by their patients, and earning revenue for all transactions, whether initiated in their office or online. By joining Waldo’s network, practitioners will also be connected with local patients who need eye exams and will benefit from various advertising campaigns and marketing initiatives that the brand funds throughout the year, according to the company.
- Eaglet Eye announced three new First Lens Fit algorithms for its Eye Surface Profiler (ESP), bringing the total to more than 40 algorithms across almost 20 labs. Two of the new algorithms are scleral designs, one for the new AccuLens Maxim 3D and the other for the new BostonSight ScleralSmart360. Eaglet also announced the first algorithm in its new orthokeratology (ortho-k) module: the CooperVision Specialty EyeCare Paragon CRT design. The algorithm allows efficient precision fitting, while the module allows practitioners to track the induced refraction changes over time, according to the company.
- Akorn Eye Care acquired the exclusive distribution rights for AcellFX (acellular amniotic membrane) from Blythe Medical. AcellFX is a small, thin membrane that is air-dried without harsh chemicals and is ready to use immediately without thawing or rinsing. AcellFX is an HCT/P (human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based product) that is intended for homologous use, providing protection or covering in ocular surface repair.
- The Asia Optometric Management Academy (AOMA) and the Asia Optometric Congress (AOC) have collaborated to put together a consensus document outlining how myopia should be managed throughout the region. The consensus takes a holistic approach toward the myopia management process from start to finish. The AOMA and AOC developed a standard practice model for practitioners in this region to reduce significant disparities that exist in eye care across Asia. The two groups are now working to distribute the consensus to practitioners.
- Nicox SA announced that patent EP 3,769,753, expiring in 2040 and covering the company’s product candidate NCX 4251 in development for blepharitis, has been issued by the European Patent Office (EPO). The patent covers ophthalmic suspensions comprising a specific form of fluticasone propionate nanocrystals and the method for manufacturing the ophthalmic suspensions. Examination of corresponding patent applications providing exclusivity in the United States, China, Japan, and other territories is in process.
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