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Contact Lens Spectrum

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NEWS SPECTRUM

Contact Lens Spectrum July 1, 2022 Vol 37, Issue July 2022 Page(s): 1, 2, 50
  • CooperVision has named Alex Wilkes as president, Americas. Mr. Wilkes brings more than a decade of experience in the eyecare industry, having most recently served as senior vice president and general manager of Pearle Vision at Luxottica. At CooperVision, he will be responsible for the executive leadership and driving the growth of the company’s largest region, determining the strategic direction for the United States, Canada, and Latin America. He will be based at CooperVision’s offices in Victor, NY. Mr. Wilkes succeeds Jerry Warner, who was promoted to president of CooperVision in February 2022.In other news, CooperVision has announced expanded roles for two prominent researchers: Baskar Arumugam, BOpt, PhD, has been appointed senior lead clinical scientist and David Hammond, BAppSci(Microbiol), BAppSci(Optom), PhD, COT, has been appointed lead clinical scientist on the CooperVision myopia research and development team. Both play integral roles in research and product development at the leading edge of myopia control, including in-depth analysis of seven years of data from the MiSight 1 Day clinical trial.
  • The International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE) has announced the winners of the 2022 IACLE Contact Lens Educator of the Year Awards to recognize and reward achievement in contact lens education, and the 2022 IACLE Travel Award that supports educators attending major international meetings. With sponsorship from CooperVision, three IACLE Contact Lens Educator of the Year Awards will be presented, one for each of its three global regions.The 2022 IACLE Contact Lens Educators of the Year are: IACLE Americas Contact Lens Educator of the Year, Lindsay Sicks, OD, Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago; IACLE Asia Pacific Contact Lens Educator of the Year, Lavanya Kalikivayi, Ahalia School of Optometry, Kerala, India; and IACLE Europe/Africa – Middle East Contact Lens Educator of the Year, Carole Maldonado-Codina, University of Manchester, United Kingdom. Additionally, one IACLE Travel Award—funded by all IACLE’s industry sponsors—will be presented to Asif Iqbal from Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai, India.
  • Alcon and Kala Pharmaceuticals Inc. reached an agreement for Alcon to buy Kala Pharmaceuticals’ commercial portfolio and related intellectual property assets. The sale, upon completion, would include Eysuvis, the FDA-approved therapy for the short-term treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, and Inveltys, a corticosteroid for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. Under terms of the agreement, Alcon will pay $60 million upfront, plus potential milestone payments.
  • The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) recently unveiled consumer research that reinforced the importance of communication between eyecare practitioners and their patients. “Revealed! New Consumer Data Shows What’s Holding Back Your Contact Lens Practice,” a discussion from U.S. practitioners who explore the implications of these findings, is now available on demand at bit.ly/CLIOnDemand22 . In additional, CLI Peer Pearls—one-minute highlights from the webinar—are being released over the next several weeks on CLI’s YouTube channel (bit.ly/3arqOam ) and through its social media platforms.
  • CooperVision has purchased EnsEyes, a supplier of orthokeratology and scleral contact lenses in Europe’s Nordic region. The company will operate within the CooperVision Specialty EyeCare group. Headquartered in Kolding, Denmark, EnsEyes has partnered with customers in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland for the past decade, providing customized lenses and professional education.According to CooperVision, the acquisition is expected to help accelerate growth of specialty lens adoption across these markets. EnsEyes founder—optometrist and former CooperVision executive Esben Nørregaard Sørensen—will remain with the company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
  • Valley Contax Inc., in partnership with Contamac US, announced their next travel grant award opportunity. The Student Travel Grant Award program is one of the latest efforts for Valley Contax to enrich the student experience for tomorrow’s eyecare practitioners. One student in the graduating classes of either 2023 or 2024 will be selected.The submission process will begin with each candidate submitting a 100-word essay about the teacher who made the biggest impact on them and why. Submissions will be open from June 13 to Aug. 5. The Valley Contax social media team will announce a winner on Aug 9. The submission form is available at fs10.formsite.com/2MqlEMM/studentgrants/index.html .
  • Haag-Streit UK (HS-UK) announced the launch of the Haag-Streit Slit Lamp Imaging Competition 2022. Judging criteria includes image quality, technical execution, and disease interest. Haag-Streit is offering prizes for the first three places. In addition to receiving the Slit Lamp Imaging Competition 2022 trophy, the winner of the competition will also be featured in an ophthalmic journal and will receive a Sony Alpha 7 IV Kit (28-70mm, 33 Mpx, Full frame).Second place will receive a Nikon Z fc Double Zoom Kit (16-50mm, 20.90 Mpx, APS-C/DX), and third place will get a Peak Design Everyday Backpack (20L). The competition is open until Aug. 12. Applicants should send their images to hsimagingcomp@gmail.com. Participation rules and regulations can be found at haag-streit.com/imaging-competition .
  • In collaboration with select practices in cities across the United States, Treehouse Eyes is advancing its commitment to myopia management by partnering with Johnson & Johnson Vision (JJV) to deliver Acuvue Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for Myopia Management to its patients. The two companies will also collaborate to develop an educational program for myopia management in children.
  • Bausch + Lomb Corporation (B+L) announced that Health Canada has approved Lumify (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.025% w/v), an over-the-counter (OTC) eye drop developed with low-dose brimonidine tartrate to relieve redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations for adults. According to B+L, Lumify works by selectively targeting redness and, thereby, reducing the potential for side effects, such as rebound redness and tachyphylaxis. Lumify is expected to be available at all major pharmacy retailers in Canada by July 2022 in both 3.5mL and 7.5mL size formats. The product was approved by the FDA in the United States in 2017.
  • EssilorLuxottica announced the launch of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, marking a new chapter in the group’s journey to help everyone in the world “see more and be more.” The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation unites many of the group’s global advocacy and philanthropic actions and will play a role in the fight against poor vision. By raising awareness on the importance of good vision and supporting the creation of sustainable vision care through philanthropic grants, the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation will work with like-minded partners to help realize the United Nations’ resolution, “Vision for All,” and help eliminate uncorrected poor vision in a generation, according to the press release.
  • CooperVision announced the launch of a digital ecosystem designed to amplify real-life myopia stories from age-appropriate children and to educate parents of affected children more thoroughly about the condition. Developed specifically for the U.S. market, the initiative extends across YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Other feature stories and videos take families through myopia management milestones such as learning to apply and remove contact lenses and managing screen time and near work. A companion online forum hosted on parenting website TinyBeans connects parents with eyecare experts, who will directly respond to questions about their child’s vision.
  • Kala Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced the launch of its first direct-to-consumer (DTC) campaign, “There for the Flare.” The campaign leverages digital channels to educate patients about dry eye flares and Eysuvis (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension) 0.25% and encourage them to actively engage with their eyecare professional to discuss treatment options. According to Kala, the digital campaign will provide an online source for those who are suffering from dry eye flares via search engine marketing, display ads, social media efforts, content on consumer health care sites, and a newly updated consumer website. As a companion to the DTC campaign, Kala will offer ECP offices that prescribe Eysuvis with printed materials for patient education.
  • Visus Therapeutics Inc. and Zhaoke Ophthalmology Limited (ZKO) announced an exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialization of Brimochol PF and Carbachol PF in Greater China, South Korea, and select Southeast Asian territories. Brimochol PF and Carbachol PF are investigational, preservative-free therapeutics designed to be long-acting, once-daily eye drops to correct for the loss of near vision associated with presbyopia. Under the terms of the agreement, ZKO will be responsible for clinical development and regulatory approval for Brimochol PF and Carbachol PF in the specified territories, and subsequently the commercialization activities for the products. Visus will receive an upfront payment of $15 million and will potentially receive up to $115 million in regulatory, commercialization, and sales-driven milestones.
  • Alcon marked its 75th anniversary with its “Brilliant History. Brilliant Future.” celebration. To recognize this significant milestone, throughout the year, Alcon will highlight its heritage of breakthrough innovation, industry firsts, ongoing dedication to eyecare professionals (ECPs) and their patients, and commitment to increasing access to eye care.
  • Visionix and Right MFG. Co., Ltd. announced that they have entered a long-term strategic partnership agreement. Visionix will become the exclusive partner of Right MFG, and distribute Righton products in Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific (excluding Japan and China). In addition to distribution of the Retinomax handheld autorefractor/keratometer, the companies will co-develop a new range of products for the eyecare market. Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, all Righton products will be integrated into the Visionix (formerly Luneau Technology) portfolio and sold under the Visionix brand name.
  • The International Society for Contact Lens Research (ISCLR) will hold its 21st research symposium in Porto, Portugal, from Aug. 21 to 26, 2022. Attendance at the meeting is limited to the ISCLR’s members, representatives from its corporate advisory board, invited keynote speakers, and graduate students/postdoctoral researchers who win travel grants to attend. This year’s meeting includes four tracks, each with three sessions. Participants will cover research on myopia and contact lens-based myopia control, the ocular response to contact lenses, contact lens materials and solutions, and how research can advance the contact lens field. For more information, visit isclr.org .
  • Euclid Vision Corp. appointed Zohra Fadli, PhD, to the position of vice president of research and development & clinical affairs. Dr. Fadli has an extensive history in delivering breakthrough ophthalmic contact lenses. For close to 20 years, he held global leadership roles in Johnson & Johnson’s medical technology divisions.
  • Nicox SA announced that its board of directors has appointed Andreas Segerros as CEO following the board’s decision to end the mandate of Michele Garufi, who has been chairman, CEO, and co-founder of the company since its creation in 1996. Mr. Garufi will remain as board member of Nicox SA. The board has also decided to separate the roles of CEO and chairman of the board. Current board member and chairman of the Audit Committee, Jean-Francois Labbé, has been proposed by the board to become the future chairman of the board. This nomination is subject to the approval of an amendment to the company’s bylaws to increase the age limit for the chairman of the board. During the interim period, the board of directors has nominated Mr. Garufi as interim chairman of the board.
  • CooperVision Specialty EyeCare announced the latest iteration of its “Make a Difference” program. The program, now entering its third year, provides U.S. and Canadian optometry students and educators with the opportunity to fit patients who lack financial resources with CooperVision Specialty EyeCare’s iSee, Onefit, and Paragon CRT specialty contact lenses. Each student and faculty member at its 25 partner universities may identify one patient per school year to whom CooperVision will donate a pair of specialty contact lenses.The Make a Difference program builds upon CooperVision’s existing Adopt-a-Patient program. That initiative—which began in 2016—encourages third- and fourth-year optometry students to “adopt” a deserving patient from their community who lacks financial resources to be fit with the company’s soft contact lenses.

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR GSLS AWARDS

The Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) is seeking nominations for its two awards that will be given out at the 2023 GSLS, which will be held Jan. 18 to 23, 2023.

GSLS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The Global Specialty Lens Symposium Award of Excellence was established in 2013. The award is given periodically by the GSLS Program Committee to a distinguished clinician, scholar, and/or scientist to recognize his or her lifelong achievements in the field of contact lenses, especially as they relate to specialty contact lenses. The individual(s) selected are recognized for their contributions to the field of contact lenses, including development, practice, translation of knowledge and education, and scholarly activity, all of which moved the field forward in seminal ways. A list of past recipients is available at bit.ly/GSLSAwardofExcellence .

NEW THIS YEAR: GSLS RISING STAR AWARD

The GSLS Rising Star Award is intended to recognize an emerging leader in the field of cornea and contact lenses. The ideal candidate is within 10 years of receiving their degree or residency training, and must demonstrate substantial contributions to the field, outside of what might normally be expected in this early phase of one’s career. These contributions may include clinical activities and research/scholarship based on the following criteria:

  • Role played by the nominee, and the resulting in publications, innovations, activities, or initiatives that demonstrate exceptional early and ongoing achievement and impact on the field.
  • Evidence that the nominee is having a sustained and continued impact on the field.
  • Uniqueness and impact of the candidate’s contributions and leadership.

Nominations should include the names, title/affiliation/contact information, and a summary (up to 500 words) of why the nominee should be considered for the GSLS Award of Excellence or Rising Star Award. A copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae must also be included. All nominations, due by Aug. 15, 2022, can be sent to GSLS Chair Jason Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, at jason.nichols@pentavisionmedia.com.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) and Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation selected four practitioners for induction into the National Optometry Hall of Fame. For 24 years, the National Optometry Hall of Fame has recognized and honored doctors of optometry who have made significant and enduring contributions to the optometric profession. The inductees were honored during the AOA Awards and National Optometry Hall of Fame ceremony on June 16 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. during Optometry’s Meeting in Chicago. This year’s inductees include Joseph Barr, OD, MS; Edward S. Bennett, OD, MSEd; Charles Brownlow, OD; and Don Williamson, OD (posthumous).

Joseph Barr, OD, MS
Joseph Barr, OD, MS
  • Dr. Barr is an emeritus professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry (OSUCO). From July 2007 through June 2014, Dr. Barr was with Bausch + Lomb, primarily leading clinical and medical affairs teams and as a member of the Vision Care Leadership Team and most recently as vice president, medical affairs, pharmaceuticals & vision care. He returned to OSUCO in 2014 to start a clinical research group and retired in 2017. Prior to that, he was with OSUCO for 24 years in various capacities, including associate dean for clinical services and professional programs. During his tenure, Dr. Barr also spent two decades as editor of Contact Lens Spectrum and was founding editor of Contact Lenses Today.
Edward S. Bennett, OD, MSEd
Edward S. Bennett, OD, MSEd
  • Dr. Bennett is currently professor emeritus at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry. He is president and executive director of the GP Lens Institute (GPLI) and is the clinical features editor for Contact Lens Spectrum. He is a past chair of the Contact Lens and Cornea Section Council of the AOA and is a diplomate and past chair of the Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies Section of the American Academy of Optometry.Dr. Bennett is also a past chair of the Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators and past president of the MD-OD Contact Lens Foundation of St. Louis. And, he is a fellow in the Scleral Lens Education Society and a distinguished fellow in the National Academies of Practice.
Charles Brownlow, OD
Charles Brownlow, OD
  • Dr. Brownlow opened his practice in Weyauwega, WI, in September 1971. In 1973, he was asked to serve as president of the Wisconsin Valley Optometric Society (WVOS), a regional affiliate of the Wisconsin Optometric Association (WOA). He has also served the North Central States Optometric Council (NCSOC) and the AOA. He co-founded the AOA Aviation Project, in which more than 30 practitioners donated their time at the Experimental Aircraft Association event to provide eye care and vision-related information to pilots and other attendees.
Don Williamson, OD
Don Williamson, OD
  • Dr. Williamson started his optometric practice in 1973 in Cape Coral, FL, after serving as the chief of eye services for the Diplomatic Medical Mission during the Vietnam War in Bangkok. Dr. Williamson was chair of the Cape Coral Hospital Board of Trustees for 10 years, a past president of the Southwest Florida Optometric Association, Florida Optometric Association (FOA), and SECO International.

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) announced the 2022 Johnson & Johnson Vision Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care Grant recipients. This award recognizes outstanding fourth-year student clinicians who have demonstrated skillful knowledge of the contact lens field. Each winner will receive a $500 educational award and a personalized plaque commemorating their accomplishment. The 2022 recipients and the institutions they attend are:

  • William Robison, Illinois College of Optometry
  • Kora Amunrud, Indiana University School of Optometry
  • Stephanie Silvagnoli, Inter American University of Puerto Rico College of Optometry
  • Vincent Thoren, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
  • Jordan Marentette, Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University
  • Gavin Walters, Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry
  • Natalie Roth, Chicago College of Optometry Midwestern University
  • Evelyn Zhang, New England College of Optometry
  • Sarah Rawling, Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry
  • Melynda Gagliardi, Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
  • Chi Huyen Thi Nguyen, Pacific University College of Optometry
  • Jennifer Ashens, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University
  • Theresa Tran, Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
  • Sean Adams, Southern College of Optometry
  • Julie Song, State University of New York College of Optometry
  • Richard Wan, The Ohio State University College of Optometry
  • Sonya Apinyavat, University of California Berkeley School of Optometry
  • Justin Cloutier, University of Montreal College of Optometry
  • Lindsay Snow, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
  • Lawrence Nguyen, University of Houston College of Optometry
  • Christine James, University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry
  • Laura Keith, University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry
  • Erika Bendert, University of the Incarnate at Rosenberg School of Optometry
  • Emily Gottschalk, University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science
  • Amelene Bartlett, Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry

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